IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


V 


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// 


fo. 


y. 


1.0 


I.I 


la|28     |2.5 


IL25  i  1.4 


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Hiotographic 

^Sciences 

Coipordtion 


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n  WIIT  MAIN  STRUT 

WIISTIR.N  Y    14SI0 

(7U)  •n-4S03 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Instituta  for  Historical  Microraproductlont  /  Instltut  Canadian  da  microraproductiont  historiquat 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
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copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


n 


D 


n 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagde 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pelliculde 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  g6ographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (I.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


I      I    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
ReliA  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serrde  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  IntArieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certalnes  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparalssent  dans  le  texte, 
mals,  lorsque  cela  Atait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  «t«  film«es. 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentairas  supplAmentalres; 


Varioui  paglnoi. 


L'Institut  a  microfilmd  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
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une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mdthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 


□    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 


D 
D 
D 
D 
D 
D 
D 
D 
D 


Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagies 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pellicul^es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  ddcolor^es,  tachet^es  ou  piqudes 

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Transparence 

Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Qualiti  inigale  de  I'lmpression 

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Comprend  du  materiel  suppl^mentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
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Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  una  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  Ati  fllmies  i  nouveau  da  fa^on  A 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  Item  Is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  do  riduotion  Indlqu*  ol-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


28X 


30X 


y 

1 
1 

12X 


16X 


20X 


2ex 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Mills  Memorial  Library 
McMaiter  University 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grSce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

Mills  Memorial  Library 
McMaster  University 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
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filming  contract  specifications. 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  filmd,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED "),  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimde  sont  filmds  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmds  er  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboies  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — *>  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  tKe  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmAs  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diffArents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  11  est  fllmA  A  partir 
de  I'angle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nicessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  methods. 


1 

2 

9 

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1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

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I 


LIFE 


OP 


JOSEPH  BRANT-THAYENDANEGEA 


INCLUDING 


THE   BORDER   WARS 


OF  THE 


AMERICAN  REVOLUTION, 


AND 


SKETCHES  OP  THE  INDIAN  CAMPAIGNS  OF  GENERALS 
HARMAR,  ST.  CLAIR,  AND  WAYNE. 


AND  OTHER  MATTERS 


CONNECTED  WITH  THE  INDIAN  RELATIONS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 

AND  GREAT  BRITAIN,  FROM  THE  PEACE  OF  1783  TO 

THE  INDIAN  PEACE  OF  1795. 


BY  WILLIAM  L.  STONE. 


IN  TWO  VOLUMES. 


VOL.  I. 


N  E  V\r  -  Y  O  R  K : 

ALEXANDER  V.  BLAKE,  38  GOLD  STREET. 


1838. 


Entered  nccordmg  to  tlio  Act  of  Congrofls  of  tlio  United  States  of  America,  in  the 
year  1838,  by  GEonan  DEARDonN  &Co,,  in  thoClerli's  Office  of  llio  District  Court 
for  Uio  Soutiiorn  District  of  Now- York. 


Na  w- YoKii 

I'rinted  I7  i8cATriiiRt>  In  Adami 

No.  38  UuUI  Hlrovi. 


TO  THE  HONORABLE 


STEPHEN  VAN  RENSSELAER, 


OF  ALBANY, 

These  volumes  are  most  respectfully  inscribed.  If 
the  eflbrts  of  the  writer  to  illustrate  more  fully  and 
minutely  than  has  hitherto  been  done,  the  most  inte- 
resting portion  of  American  history,  in  its  immediate 
connection  with  the  large  and  populous  State  of  which 
The  Patroon  has  so  long  been  one  of  the  most  distin- 
guished citizens,  shall  be  so  fortunate  as  to  merit  the 
r<'gard,  and  receive  the  approbation,  of  one  so  excel- 
lently qualified  to  judge  of  its  interest  and  value,  there 
will  be  nothing  left  unsatisfied  to  the  ambition  and 
the  hopes  of 

His  friend  and  servant, 

THE  AUTHOK. 


»  'i 


CON  T  E  NTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Birtli  and  parentage — Disciissiou  of  the  doubts  cast  ripou  his  origin — Visit  of  Mo- 
hawk cliiefs  to  Ciuocn  Antie — I'^vidoncn  of  Brunt's  descent  from  one  of  tliose — 
Dii;rossion  from  tlic!  nwin  suhji'ct,  and  l'2xtratts  from  ilie  private  and  otlicinl  jour- 
nals of  Sir  William  Joliiisou — Connexion  Ixaween  Sir  William  and  llio  family  of 
Brant — Incidental  roferenci  h  to  tlie  old  French  war — Illustrations  of  ln<lian  pro- 
ceedin^H,  s|)eeclii's,  &.C.— Uraiit's  |)arenla<f0  satisfactorily  estaltlislied — Takes 
tile  ti(!ld  in  the  Campai^ii  of  Lake- ( ii'or<j;c  (170,").) — Is  eii^a^ed  at  the  coiKiuest 
of  Niagara  (17r>!l,) — Mlforts  of  Sn-  Wdliam  Jolinson  tocivili/.r  the  Indians — Hrant 
IS  sent,  with  other  ln(han  vonths,  to  the  Moor  (Jliarity  School.  I  Li'hanon — Li'avea 
BchiKil — Anecdote — la  euL'aiied  on  puMie  liiisiness  hy  Sir  William — As  an  Inter- 

i)reter  for  the  Missiotiaries — Aj;ain  takes  the  field,  in  the  wars  aijainst  Pontiac— 
nteiidcd  inassa(;re  at  Hi  iroit — Ultiuiati*  overthrow  of  Pontiac — !''irsf  marriasiM.f 
Hrant — iMitertains  thi;  Missionaries — A^ain  cmploved  on  puhlie  husiriess — Deiilji 
of  his  wile — iMiiiai^es  with  Mr.  St<'wart  in  translating  the  Scrii>tures — Marries 
ni;ain — lias  serious  relii^ious  impressions — Selects  a  hosom  friend  and  contidant, 
after  the  Indian  custom — Death  of  his  f-iend — II'3  grief,  and  refusal  to  cliooso 
another  fiicnd.  ..........     Page  1 

CIlAPTEIl  II. 

Early  symptomsof  disaff'ction  at  Boston — Origin  of  the  Revolutionary  War — First 
1)1(1(1(1  shed  in  177()--Stirrinj;  elo(|ueiice  of  .Joseph  Warren  — I''eeliims  of  Sir  Wii- 


liain  .lohiison — Ills  inlliiiMice  with  the  Indians  and  tierman 
po-iilion — Last  vi-'itofSir  William  to  Fiiiiland — I  lis  deiith- 


anil  liis  unpl(Misant 
Mysterious  circimi- 
stiinces  attendinii  it  -Suspicious  ot' suicide  uiiinst — 1  lis  son,  Sir  .Tolm  .lolmson, 
Hiict'eeds  to  his  title  and  estates — 1  lis  son-in-law,  Col.  (liiy  .lolmson,  to  his  ollico 
«s  Supeiinteiidanl  ( leueral  ol'ihe  Indians- -Farly  life  of  Sir  .hi!  n — .loscpli  Ihant 
appoinleil  iSecretarv  to  (liiy  .lolmson — Intliieiiee  ol'  the  .Tohnson  l,imily--l{evolu- 

tiD'i  iry  syinptouis  111  Trvoii  <"onnty,  romi'iite(l  hy  th"  proi Iini;s  in  New  I'lii!!- 

Iitud — l''irs.'  Mieetimj;  of 'I'ryon  <  "onnly  Whi^s  -  I>eclaralion  of  UiLihis- -I'lisi  meet- 
W'i  of  ("on'j'ress — l''.iret  ol'ils  proceedinus — in  Fniilaiid — 'rardiness  uf  I'rovinei.d 
lei;is',.lure  (it'New-^'ork — Spin!  of  the  people — Notes  of  preparation  in  Massaihu- 
BeltH,  iiic. — ( )V'  it  acts  (if  rein  11  ion  in  several  ^^^t;ltes-  Indians  ex  asperated  hv  till) 
Vii'aiiiia  iK.rderers  in  I  771 — Milaiichdly  story  (if  Loiran-  {^iimpai'.;n  of  I  .ord  I  tun- 
nn)n  and  Colonel  1.  'wis — Battle  of  the  Ivanhawu— J^neeeh  of  I  ■o^an-  lis  authen- 
ticity questioned — Peucu  of  Chilict  :ho—  Unhappy  foeliuj^  of  the  ludiaiiH.     -       21) 

«    lAPTF.R  III. 

llnyieldini.',  roiirso  of  tlie  parent  ( inverumeiit — Fir)rts  of  th(>  F.arl  of  Challiam  mm- 
vaihni;  -Address  to  th'' < 'rown  from  New-\"ork — Leslie's  Fxneditioii  toSaJein— 
Airurof  LexiiiLtlon— Unwise  movements  of  'I'rvoii  ( 'ounly  lnyiilists — Iteactioti 
■ — Puhlie  meetings — 'I'hi'  Sainmous  I'amily — Interference  of  the  .Tolmsons — 
(luar'el  at  t'liU'^ihiiawai^a— -Spirited  indications  at  Cherry  Valley —('ounleracliiiff 
elliiits  of  lli(>  .Idliusiins  uiiionii  their  retainer-^ —Intii'unes  with  the  Indians — 
MausaehiHi'tts  attempts  the  same— Coirespdiideiice  with  the  Stockhndue  Indianii 
— Letter  to  \Ir,  Kirliland— I  lis  lemoval  hy  (liiv  .Ii)hn''on  —  Neutiidily  ol"  tlio 
Oneid  IS— 'ntercepteil  despatch  from  Mrant  to  the  ( )ni'idas  —  Appreheiisioim  of 
CH\y  .lolmson — ( 'orresp(in(lenee~-l''arther  precautions  ol'  the  < 'oinmittecs  —  Ho- 
verence  for  the  I  .aws-  Letter  of  Oiiy  Johnson  to  the  ('oiiuniltces  of  Allmny  and 
Srhrni'Ctady—Siilmtaiue  of  tlie  reply.    .......        itO 


vni 


f'ONTEXTi?. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Council  of  tJie  Mohawk  chiefs  at  Guy  Piirii— A.  socond  rouncil  called  by  Johnson 
at  Co.sby'a  Manor — Proceeds  thither  witii  his  rotimie — First  full  meeting  of  Tryon 
County  Coniniiltcf — (Jorresiiondciicc  with  Guy  Johnson — No  council  held — 
Johnson  proceeds  farlliir  West,  Jiecoinpanied  hy  his  family  and  most  of  the  In- 
dians— Conse(|uent  apprehensions  of  the  people — C'onununieation  from  Massa- 
chusetts ConiiresH — Ticonderoizaand  Crown  Point  taken  hy  lOthan  Allen — Skenes- 
borouj^h  and  St.  Johns  surprised — Farther  procindinns  in  Massaehusctts — Battle 
of  Bunker  I  lill — Heath  of  Warren — Couneii  with  the  Oneidas  and  Tuscaroras  at 
German  Flails — Speech  to  the  Indians — Suhseijuent  council  with  the  Dneidas — 
Conduct  of  the  peoph;  toward  Guy  Johnson — Speech  to,  and  rejily  of  Oneidas — 
Guy  Joimson  moves  westwardly  to  Ontario — His  letter  to  IIk^  Provincial  t'on$ti'(>S3 
of  New-York — Holds  a  great  Indian  council  at  the  West — Unfavourahle  inflmneo 
imon  the  dispositions  of  the  Indians— Causes  of  their  partiality  for  the  English — ■ 
Great,  but  groundless  alarm  of  the  people — Guy  Johnson,  with  Brant  and  the 
Indian  warriors,  descends  thi;  SI,  Lawrence  to  Montreal — Council  there — Sir  Guy 
Carleton  and  Gen.  Haldiinand  com|)lete  the  work  of  winning  the  Indians  over  to 
the  cause  of  the  Crown. Page  71 

CHAPTER  V. 

Meeting  of  the  second  Continental  Congress — Measures  of  def(<noe — Declaration — 
National  fast — Organization  of  an  Indian  dej)artment — Address  to  the  Six  Na- 
tions— Council  called  at  Albany — Prehniinary  consultation  at  Gennan  Flatts — 
Speeches  ol  the  Oneidas  and  others — Adjourn  to  /Mhany — Brief  interview  with 
the  commissioners — Coiderenee  and  intereiian<.'e  of  speeches  with  the  Albanians — 
Proceedings  of  the  grand  council — Speeches  of  the  commissioners — Replies  of  the 
Indians — (,'onclusion  of  the  grand  council — Kesumption  of  the  confi'rence  with 
the  Albanians — Spi'ecli  of  the  Albany  Connnittee — Reply  of  the  Indians — Dis- 
closures of  Guy  Joiinson's  |iroci'i'dings  at  ()swi>l'<i — Close-  of  tlii"  proceedings — 
E|)idemie  among  thr  Iiwlians  — Small  benefit  resulting  from  Ihe  couneii — Proceed- 
ings in  Tryon  County  resumed — l)oubtfulj)esition  of  Ncw-'N'oik — Symptoms  ot 
disaflictiou  lo  till'  cause  of  tiie  people— Sir  Joim  Jolinson--Sherin' VViiile  de])osed 
by  the  people — The  royal  authorities  sii|)ersede(l  by  a|)pointnieiitH  iVom  the  peo- 
ple—  AlVray  at  Jolinslovvn — V'irst  gun  fired  at  Sampson  Sammons — White  recom- 
niissioned  by  Tryou — His  lliiiht — Labors  of  tiie  Cominiltec— Opposition  of  the 
Tories — Oesiuns  of  Sir  Jnhn  Johnson  and  Sir  Guy  Carleton — Letter  and  depu- 
tation to  Sir  John— -Prisoners  for  political  off  nees  sent  to  i^aol — Letter  from  Pro» 
vineial  Congress — Mohawks  cominiMiee  fl;;htin^  at  St.  Johns — Speech  of  the  f'a- 
liajoharies  in  explanation —Indians  iinply  for  release  of  prisoners — Heview  of  the 
progress  of  the  Uevoliilion  in  oilier  parts  of  the(!olonies — Proceedinjjs  of  Parlia- 
ment—Burning  of  l'\dinoiith — l>es(cnt  imon  Canada — Eilmn  Allen  taken — Ar- 
nold's expedition — Siege  of  tluebi;e — I'ali  of  Montgomery — Cuugbnawiiga  uml 
Delaware  Indians. .'Jl 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Lord  Duninoro — niaiice  at  the  South— Suspicions  conduct  of  Sir  John  Johnson— 
Conduit  of  the  Tories  in  'I'ryon  (%mnty — Gen.  Seluiyler  directed  bv  Coiigresa 
to  mareli  into  that  ( 'oiinty  and  disarm  the  Tories — i'relmiinarv  mission  to  the 
Lower  Moliiiwks — Mcssaue  to  llieiu  --Tiieir  di-plensiire  and  reply— March  of 
Schuyler—  Meets  Ihe  Indians  at  Schenectady  -  InterNicwand  sneei  lies — Advam^u 
of  Schuyler  -Letter  to  Sir  John  Johnson — Interview — Neirotiations  of  capiliilu- 
tioii — Terms  proposed — Si'huyler  advances  to  Caui;hna«iiga — Jnined  by  Tryon 
Counly  Militia — Farther  corre-pondenee  with  Sir  John — Interview  with  the'ln- 
dian  mediators — Terms  of  surrender  adpisted — Schuyler  marches  to  Johns* 
town — Sir  John,  his  household,  and  the  Highlanders,  disarmed — Troops  scour 
the  country  to  bring  in  the  lovalists— Disappiimtment  as  to  the  supposed  Tory 
J)epnt  of  warlike  umniiions — lletiirn  of  Schuyler  lo  Albany — Resolution  ofCon- 
grfss — Ailditioiml  trouble  with  Sir  John— Preparations  for  his  Hciiure — Expedi- 
tion of  Col.  Dayton— Fli^hl  of  the  Baronet  and  lus  pnrtiaans  to  Camida— Tlicir 
•uffflringa—  And  Bubnoquont  conduct— IJow  iho  violnUon  of  iu»  parolo  wm  oon- 
«der»H. Hfl 


I 


S 


CONTENTS. 


IX 


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119 


I 


CHAPTER  Vir. 

History  of  Brant  rosiimpd — Advanci'd  to  tlie  cliicftaincy  of  theConfodcracy — Mode 
of  n'ppoiiitiii^  iliiils  and  PJiclii'iiit; — Eiiiliarlis  lor  lMii;land — Arrives  in  London^ 
Uocrivril  Willi  iiiarltrd  coiisidcnitioii — Hi'coincs  aaiuaiiiti d  ^vith  Janii's  IJosucli 
niid  olhiTs — Ai^riM's  to  rspouso  tlio  Royal  caiisr,  a.  ;1  rcttmis  to  AmeriL-a — Steals 
through  the  country  to  Canada — ( 'iirioiis  siippoj^ed  li'lttr  to  I'rcsidiMit,  Wlicclock 
■ — Ballli'  of  tiio  (Ji'dars— Cowardice  ot'  Major  Biittcrticld — Outrages  of  the  In- 
(lj;,iis— Sliiry  of  Capt.  M'Kinstry,  who  was  saved  fioiii  liie  stake  by  Hrant — lr> 
di'iuatioii  ol'  \Vashin;;toii,  thi'  penpie,  and  (Jons^ress — Resolutions  of  retaliation 
■ — Miitnal  complaints  of  treatment  of  prisoners — Murder  ol' tJen.  Ciorilon — In- 
diiinalion  al  the  ontrasii' — Indian  deputation  at  I'liiladelphia — Speech  to  them — 
Coni^ress  resolves  upon  the  employment  of  an  Indian  force — Schuyler  opposed — 
Review  111"  the  incidints  uf  the  war  i  Isi  when; — Destitution  of  the  Army — Eva- 
cuation of  I'ostoii  hy  the  iMiulish — Disastrous  termination  of  the  Canadian  cain- 
pal^n — I),  plorahle  condition  of  the  army — llnmaiiity  of  Sir  (iiiy  ''aileton — 
— (tiance  at  the  South — l)eclaration  of  Independence — Spirit  of  Tryoii  County 
— '  'liiMiy  Valley — [''oiiifieations  at  l'"ort  Stanwix — American  army  moves  to 
New-\'ork — Arrival  of  the  I?rilisli  fleet  and  army — Battle  of  Lon^-Island — 
Wasliiualon  evacuates  ]S'ew-"S"ork — Battle  of  Whii(!  I'lains — Ritreats  acros.s 
]Seu-.l(  rsev— Followed  hy  Cornwallis — l^cfeat  of  Arnold  on  Luke  Cliaiiiplain 
—Fall  of  Uliodc  Island— Battle  of  Trenton. Page  li7 

ClIAF'ri'Jl  VIII. 
Continuation  of  movements  in  New  Jersey — I^.\tiiir;iiislimcnf  ef  flic  council-lire  at 
Oiiondatra — Tryon  County— Colonel  Harper's  mission  to  Osihkwa^a — The  Har- 
per tiimily — .\dv.iiture  at  the  Johnstone  setllemeiil — Captmo  of  (iood  Piter  and 
Ins  jiaitv — 'I'liiivtuilaneEea  eni'^ses  fnmi  Canada  to  Oi^likwasia — Interview  with 
the  Rev.  Mr.  .lohnsliin'  —  Doulilfnl  course  of  liranl  —  Feverish  .'■itul.tioii  of  tlio 
jii  (iple — F.xpediliim  ol"  ( ieneral  I  Irikimer  to  I  'iiiidilla — Remark  a  hie  meeting  lie- 
iwceii  Herkimer  and  Brant — Meditated  act  ol'  treachery — Wariness  of  llio 
chii  I'  -Mei  till':  alimptlv  terminati  d  — Fiided  in  a  storm — Brant  draws  olV  to  ( )s. 
wr'j,i) — (iraiid  i  oiini  il  there — Tjiii  Indians  <;enerallv  join  the  Royal  standard — ■ 
Approach  ol' Brant  upon  (Jlierry  Valley — How  del'cuted — Death  of  Lieutenant 
Wormwood.        ...........         175 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Hritisli  preparations  Tir  the  prosecution  of  t'le  war — Iiidirntions  nt  the  North — Doulit- 
fiii  position  and  coiiiluel  of  (ieneral  I  lowc — Fmlmrrassiiii;  to  the  Americans — In- 
teicepled  ciirrespoiii'enee — ( ieneral  I  iowe  sails  to  the  Chesapeake — Enters  Pliihi- 
ilel|)liia  in  triumph  — Bureoyne  approaches  fiom  the  North — Indian  jiolicy — Sir 
Guy  Carletiiii — l''alse  estimates  of  the  streiiuth  of  T'-  .,leroi;a — BiirijiH  ne  arrives 
nt  Crown  Point — l'"ett*ts  ||ii.  Indians — Invests  Tieoiideroiia — Carries  the  out- 
Works — I''ortilii.s  Siiuar  Hill — The  fortress  evacuated  hy  ,St.  Clair — Hetri'»t  of  tho 
Amerieans — Battles  near  Skeneshoroimh  and  at  I'"ort  .Ann — Biiriioyne enters  tlio 
valley  of  the  Hudson — Scliiivler,  \k  ithoiit  means,  retreats  from  P'ort  Edward — 
Terror  of  the  pioph'— ( 'riielties  ol  le  Indians— Story  of  Miss  M'Crea— ( Jeneriil 
flight  oi'iiie  populaimn— Mis.  Ann  Eliy.a  Bleecker — Heroism  of  Mrs.  Schuyler— 
Alteinpled  ussassinalion  of  Ciciieral  Schuyler.        .....         \>)j 

CHAPTER  X. 
Expedition  ncainst  llw  Mohawk  Valley  from  Oswego — Despondeney  (if  llin  ppoplo 
111  Tryon  County-  Letter  of  John  Jay — Arrest  of  several  of  the  disaflicted — 
l''liL''il  of  olliM's  til  ( 'anada— Schuyler's  complaints  of  the  eowaidice  of  the  pcoplo 
— (Jieat  di--cimiai.',eiiients— Proclamation  of  (ieneral  Herkimer — Letter  from 
Tlioinas  .Spencer— St,  Limtim's  approach— Caution  and  plan  of  Ins  march — Diary 
of  I  .leiil.  Bud — I''ort  Stiinwi.x  iiivi  sled-  ( 'olonel  ( iansevoort  takes  command — ltd 
(leplorahle  condition — (Jansevooit  joined  liy  Willett — Story  of  Captain  (irei'ij — 
Siiiiiiion  ofihe  iiarri-iiii — .Arrival  of  St.  Leijer — His  proclamation — Buritiiyiie'H 
iill'.iirs  lieconiiiis:  critical — Afl'air  of  Henninjiton — neiieral  Herkimer,  with  thu 
Tryon  ( 'oiinly  militia,  advances  to  the  lelief  of 'iansevoort— Battle  oft  »riskaiiy — 
Hloody  upon  lioth  sides — Une.xnmpled  hinvery  of  (^nptiiin  (iardeiuor — Mnjor 
Walts— Dissntisfaction  of  tho  IndittUfi— Sortio  and  nurcnsa  of  Colonel  Willclt— 
Peutli  luul  clmrnctcrofQcnoral  llerkimor 809 


I 


rONTENTS. 


ir 


CHAPTER  XI. 
Siege  of  Fort  Scliuylcr  continued — Forced  letter  from  priaoners  to  Col,  Gansevoort 
— St.  Leger  summons  the  gurrison  to  siinciKJer — Jlet'usui  ef  Ciansevoort — Appeal 
of  Sir  John  Johnson  to  the  people  of  TryiJi  (.'miiity — Seeret  cxpediliori  of  Colonel 
Willett  and  Major  SlocUwell — Schuyler  orders  Arnold  to  the  relief  of  Gansevoort 
— Willett  proceeds  to  Alhany — Arrest  of  Walter  IJiitler,  and  others,  at  German 
Fhitta — Tried  and  convicted  as  a  spy — Reprieved — Sent  to  Alhany — K.«^capes — 
Arnold's  pr.iclaniation — Advance  of  the  he-ie^ers — l.^Ucasimss  ,)f  the  'iiirrL'^on — 
Sudden  flight  of  St.  Li'i^er  and  his  foiees — Straiatjeni  of  AriKilil — St'iry  of  i  l(in- 
Yost  Schuyler — Merriment  and  mi.<chief  of  the  iiuliaiis — Arrival  of  Arnold  at  the 
Fort — Tho  spoils  of  victory — I'ullic  estimation  of  tJansevoort'd  services — Ad- 
dress to  his  soldiers — His  promotion — Address  of  hisollicers.  -        Page  219 

CHAPTER  xir. 

Recurrence  to  the  invasion  of  Bur<;oynn — General  Schuyler  again  superseded  hy 
Gates — Causes  of  this  injustice — Battle  of  Stillwater — Both  armi(\s  enlriMich — 
Battle  and  victory  of  Behmus's  lleinhts — Funeral  of  (jenerul  Fra/.er— Retreat  of 
Burijoyne — DilHcultii^s  increasing  upon  him — II is  capitulation — Meeting  of  Bur- 

foync  and  Gates — 13eportmcnl  of  (Jutes  toward  Gen.  Washington — Nohlecon- 
uctof  Gen.  Schuyler.         ,-.......        20 '> 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
Sir  Henry  Clinton's  attempt  to  co-operate  w  ith  Burgryne — Storming  of  Forts  Chil- 
ton and  Montgomery — Burning  of  vKsopus — Reviinv  of  military  operations  else- 
where— Ivxpedition  to  P<'ekskdl — ( )f  (iov.  Tryon  to  Danliury — i'm^ress  of  Sir 
William  Howe  in  Peimsylvania — Bailie  of  Branilywine — Massacre  of  the  Paoli — 
Battle  of  Germantown — Death  of  Cdunt  Honop — Mmd.rdf  Captain  Dcilz  and 
family  at  Berne — John  Taylor— Lady  .lolinson  onlcred  to  leave  Alhany — I'lxas- 
Deration  of  Sir  John — .Vtteinpts  to  ahduct  Mr.  Taylor — An  Indian  and  while  man 
brihed  to  assassinate  General  Schuyler — Fresh  alarms  in  Tryon  Comity — .\d- 
dress  of  Congress  to  the  Six  Nations — The  ajipcal  produces  no  effect — Articles 
of  confederation — Close  of  the  year. 2t*0 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Treaty  of  alliance  M'ith  France — I'olicy  of  France — Incidcnis  of  the  Winter — Pro- 
jected expedition  against  St.  Johns — jjiifayelte  appoinleil  to  iIk;  (oinmand  of  the 
North — Failure  of  iho  enterprise-  for  lack  of  means — l)isap|)()iiitniint  and  chagrin 
of  Lafayette — Unpleasant  indieatiuns  rcspeclin^  the  Western  Indians — Indian 
council  at  Johnstown — .'VltiMidd  hy  Liitiiyeltc — Its  proceedings — And  result — 
Reward  offered  (or  Major  Carleton — Ijctterof  l,afayctle — Wv  relires  iVoin  tho 
Northern  Department — Return  of  the  loyalists  for  their  families — I'lmpposed — 
Their  aggressions — Prisoners  carried  inio  ( 'anada — Their  fiit<^— Re-appearance 
of  Brant  at  ( )uhk  waga  and  Uimdilla— Anecdote  of  Brant— (Jomparativi^  cruelty  of 
the  Tories  and  Indians— Minder  nf  a  family — P'xposed  situali<in  of  the  pcdple — ■ 
Captain  McKean — Sends  a  clmllengu  to  Brant — Burning  of  Sjtringlicid — First 
battle  in  Schoharie.         -         -         "         -         •        -'-        .-        2'JS 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Tho  story  of  Wyoming— Glance  at  its  hi-ifory — BInody  Iiatlle  helwei'ii  the  Shawti- 
nese  and  Delawarca— Count  /in/.endort— Cuiillu  ting  Indian  chiiins  au''  filli's— 
Rival  land  companies  of  Coiineeti('ut  and  Peiinsylviiiiia — Murder  of  Tin  'iisinid 
— The  first  ^'onnecticut  (.'olony  destroyed  hy  the  Indians — ( 'onlroversy  re  peeling 
their  titles — Rivnl  (Jolonies  pl.inlcd  in  \V'yoining — The  civil  wars  of  Wvomiiig— 
Bold  adventure  of  Ciiptiiin  ( )!.'den — l''ierce  pa'^^ions  of  the  pcdple — The  ( 'niniccti- 
ciit  settlers  prevail — Growth  ofthe  silllcmcnls-Anneved  lo  Connet  liml— Break- 
ing out  of  the  ReVdliition — The  inhahilanls, stimulated  hy  previous  haired, lake  sides 
— Arrest  iil'siispccted  persons  in  .linmary — Sent  lo  I  liirlfiird — F.vil  (■onsc(p(i  iicen 
— Tho  enemy  appear  upon  tho  oulskirts  of  the  srillcnients  in  the  Spriii'j; — invii- 
RJon  hy  ('oloncl  John  liutler  anil  the  Indians — Colond'/ehtilDn  Biillcr  pre|MircH 
to  oppose  thiMii — Two  of  the  forts  taken — Colonel  /,.  Holler  marches  to  encounter 
tho  enoniy — Battle  of  Wyoming — The  Americans  defeated — 'I'he  llii>hl  and  mas- 
sacre — Fort  Wyoming  hesieged — Timidity  of  the  garrison — /(huloii  lluller'« 
aulliority  not  sustaiiiud — IIu  escapes  from  tho  fort — Culunel  Deniiistua  forced  to 


CONTENTS. 


XI 


tcr— l^'o- 

111(1  ut'thc 

(I  ilm^iin 

-Imliim 

rt'siill— 

iVoin  llin 

i|li)sr(l  — 

icaiiuici'' 
niilly  of 

)('U|llc 


•  Slmwti- 

■'  Illlr'S— 
l\l    ■llstliul 

-('  |ii'(  liii^ 

Miiiiiiiu — 

'iiniiccli- 

-Mniik- 

iilw  siilrS 

I  l|llr||<'r!4 

.;  -IllVll- 
r  |iii'imri'M 
I  iicdiiiitcr 

and  iniiH- 
1   lliillfi'rt 

fiircuil  to 


capitulate — Destruction  of  the  Valley — Raibaritios  of  the  To'ies — Brant  not  in  the 
expedition — Calliariiie  Montour — l''iial>t  of  the  fugitives — Llxpcdition  of  Colonel 
Hartle)  iiptheSusiiuohanna — C'oionc'lZehulonHullcr  repossesses  himself  of  Wyo- 
ming, and  rebuilds  tiie  fort — Indian  skirmisiies— Close  of  tin!  history  of  Wyo- 


mui2. 


y^HL'f  318 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


Evacuation  of  Philadelphia  hy  Sir  Henry  Clinton — Followed  through  New  Jersey 
hy  Washington — Battle  of  Monmouth — Conduct  and  arrest  of  (Juneral  Lee- 
Retreat  of  the  enemy — Arrival  of  the  Freiuii  tleel — ('ombitu'd  attack  of  the  Ame- 
ricans and  French  upon  the  Brili--h  army  of  Rhode  Island — Ihitish  fleet  escapes 
from  Count  D'F.staing — Battle  of  Rhode  Islainl — Failure  of  the  expedition— 
Projetted  campaigns  against  the  Indians — Captains  Pipe  and  Wliite-Fyes-  - 
M'kee  and  (iirty — (leneral  M'lnto?h  ordered  against  the  Sandusky  towns  — 
Irrujilion  of  Brant  into  Cobli'skill — Cl"  iM'L^onald  into  the  Schoharie  settlements 
— Pusillamnuly  ot'  ( 'ohuK  1  Vioonian — Bravery  of  Colonel  Harper— His  exiiedi- 
tion  to  Albany — Captivity  of  Mr.  Sawyer — Slays  six  Indians  and  escapes — Colo- 
nel Wil'iani  i'utler  sent  to  Schoharie — Morgan's  nth;  corps — Daring  adventures 
of  Murphy  and  l'"-lerson — Death  of  S(Mvice,  a  noted  Tory — Murphy's  subse(pient 
adventures — Atfiirs  at  l'"ort  Schuyler — Alarming  unudier  ofdeserlions — Destruc- 
tii'U  of  Andros-lown  bv  the  Indians — Contlauralion  of  the  German  l''latts — Fx- 


pedition    of 
waua. 


Col 


onel   William   Butler  trom  Si 


lioUarie  to  Unadilla  and  Oghk- 
313 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Walt(T  X.  Buller — His  flight  from  Albany,  bent  on  revenue — The  Great  Tree — 
Hor^lile  indications  among  the  Scnceas  and  Cayui:as — Premonitions  of  an  attack 
by  Buller  r.id  Ihant  upon  ('lierry  Valley — Discredited  by  Colonel  Alden — Scouts 
sent  out  and  eapliin  d—  Surprise  ot'  the  town--Massacic'  and  h  irning — Dealb  of 
Colonel  Alden — Families  ot  Mr,  Wells,  Mr.  1  bin  lop,  ami  otiiers — Biiilalily  of  the 
Tories- -I'aimly  ot'  Mr.  Mililiell — The  monger  XewlKriy — |te|(arlnre  of  tho 
enemy  with  tlu.'ir  captives  —  .V  rii^lit  ol' t;looin — Women  and  cbildreii  sent  back  — 
Letter  III'  (iiitler  to  rjcn.  Scbuv  Ic  r — .Murder  of  .Mrs.  rampln  IPs  inother — Vindi- 
calio:i  oflb-aiil  —  Inleresliiii;  iiieidciil — Brant's  opinion  ot'  ("apt.  M'Keiui — f'olo- 
nel  .lolin  Buller  lamenls  the  conduct  I'f  his  son — Letter  ot'ticneral  .lames  ( 'linlon 
to  Walter  Butler— Letter  of  I'mller  iti  rep.ly— Molly  P)rant--l'iulicnlars  of  Mrs. 
Campbell's  captivity — I''east  ol"thanksi;iviiig  for  thi  ir  victory — The  great  fea>'  of 
the  AVhiie  Dogs — I'eturn  of  \\'alter  Buller  finm  Uuebcc — Col.  Buller  iieeotiales 
with  the  Indians  lor  .Mrs.  Campbell — She  >;oes  to  Niaijara — Calhanne  Monlonr 
and  her  sons--Mrs.  Cani|ibell  tinds  her  childien — Descends  the  St.  Lawn  nee  to 
Montreal — Meets  .Mis,  liutler — .Arrives  at  Albany,  iiiid  i-<  '(oiiied  by  her  husband 
—Grand  i'ampaiL!:ii  pidjected — .Tacnb  1  jeliner  ami  ollurs  sent  privately  lo  .lolms- 
town  I'lr  the  inin  chest  of  Sir  .Iidm — Fxeciition  of  1  Ielmer~Arii\al  of  Britisii 
(^)mmissioi\crs  -  \ot  receivid — Fxchange  of  Minislers  with  France — Incidents 
of  the  war  elsewhere  t'or  ihe  year.  .......         3G9 

CHAPTl'.l?  XVI If. 
Indian  siege  of  Fort  Laun'iis — Sncccs-t'nl  strataviius — Fliidit  of  the  pack-horses — 
The  fori  abandoned—  Pniiecled  i  nlirpii-e  I'rom  Dctniit — (iov.  I  lam il Ion  ciiplmi'd 
at  St.  X'incent  bv  Col.  (jarki — I'roic  i  Is  ol'  I'laiit— f'm  asiness  in  the  A\'i>t  of 
New-^'ork — I'ichbcrations  ot'  the  ( tin  Idas  mid  <  lnondagns--Branl's  projects  de- 
feated— 'I'rcacliery  ol'ihe  (  biondaiia-- — ( 'oloni  I  Van  Sehaick  loanhes  to  lay  waste 
their  towns— Instructions  of  General  Clinton — Passaee  ot' Wood  Creek  and 
Oneida  Lake — Advamc  upon  the  Imlian  towns  — 'I'lieii-d(;stiiietiou--Uelurn  of 
the  evpedition  lo  l'"ort  Si  liiiyler— .Mission  of  ihi>  ( •neida-'  to  p'ort  Schuyler  in  be- 
half ot'tliet  Inondaeas — Speech  of'  loud  I'cter — Itepiv  ot'(  'olniiel  N'lm  Schaii  k  — 
Irruption  of  Tories  and  Indians  into  the  lower  A'oliaw  k  coiinti  \ — Stone  Arabia — 
Defence  of  his  house  by  Captnin  U ii  her— The  I ndians  in  >-choharie— General 
Clinton  Iniver-ies  the  Moimw  k    Mille\  —  M'C  hi  Inn's  evpedilliei  to  (  txwei'iiti  bie — 

Unsiicciwsfiil — lrru|)tiou  of  the  <  )iio'iid.iiias  into  Coble-kill — Defeat  of  the  Ame- 
ricans—The  setilemeni  destniycil— .Minders  in  the  neii:l|boiliooil  of  l''on  Pill  — 
Irruptions  of  Tones  into  Warwasinu— Invasion  of  Minisink— Battle  near  the  Delii 
waro — Mugsucic  of  the  Uran"!!  County  inilitiu— Uutllc  with  llie  SlunvuncHe.   396 


is 


ii: 


INTRODUCTION. 


i 


It  is  related  by  ^sop,  that  a  forester  once  meeting  with  a  hon, 
they  travelled  together  for  a  time,  and  conversed  amicably  without 
much  differing  in  opinion.  At  length  a  dispute  happening  to  arise 
upon  the  question  nf  superiority  between  their  respective  races,  the 
former,  in  the  absence  of  a  belter  argument,  pointed  to  a  monimi<.mt, 
on  which  was  sculptured,  in  marble,  the  statue  of  a  man  striding 
over  the  body  of  a  vanquished  lion.  "If  this,"  said  the  lion,  "is 
all  you  have  to  say,  let  us  bo  tlic  sculptors,  and  you  will  see  the 
lion  striding  over  the  vanquished  man." 

The  moral  of  this  fal)le  should  ever  be  borne  in  mind  when  con- 
templating  the  character  of  tiiat  brave  and  ill-used  race  of  men,  now 
melting  away  before  the  Anglo-Saxons  like  the  snow  beneath  a  ver- 
tical sun — the  aboriginals  of  America.  The  Indians  are  no  sculp- 
tors.  No  monuments  of  their  own  art  commend  to  future  ages 
the  events  of  the  past.  No  Iiulian  pen  traces  the  history  of  their 
tribes  and  nations,  or  records  the  deeds  of  their  warriors  and 
chiefs — their  prowess  and  their  wrongs.  Their  sj)oilers  have  been 
their  historians ;  and  although  a  reluctant  assent  has  been  awarded 
to  some  of  the  nobler  traits  of  their  nature,  yet,  without  yielding  a 
due  allowance  for  the  peculiarities  of  their  situation,  the  Indian 
character  has  been  presenb.'d  with  sinsular  uniformity  as  being  cold, 
cruel,  morose,  and  revengeful  ;  unrelieved  Ity  any  of  those  varying 
trails  and  characteristics,  those  lights  and  shadows,  which  are 
admitted  in  respect  to  other  people  no  less  wild  and  uncivilized 
than  they. 

Without  pausing  to  reflect  that,  even  when  most  cruel,  lliey  have 
been  practising  tlio  trade  of  war — always  drendl'ul — as  nuich  in 
conformity  to  their  own  usages  and  laws,  as  have  their  more  civi- 
lized  antagonists,  the  while  historian  has  drawn  Ihem  with  the 
characteristics  of  demons.  Forgetting  that  the  second  of  the  He. 
brew  monarchs  did  not  scruple  to  saw  his  prisoners  with  saws,  and 
harrow  them  with  harrows  of  iron  ;  forgetful,  liUewise,  of  the  scenes 
at  Smithficld,  under  the  direction  of  our  own  Dritish  ancestors;  tho 


XlV 


INTRODUCTION. 


historians  of  the  poor  untutored  Indians,  almost  with  one  accord, 
have  denounced  them  as  monsters  siii  generis — of  unparalleled  and 
unapproacliahle  harbarity  ;  as  though  the  summary  tomahawk  wcro 
worse  than  the  iron  tortures  of  the  harrow,  and  the  torch  of  the 
Mohawk  hotter  than  the  faggots  of  Queen  Mary. 

Nor  does  it  seem  to  have  occurred  to  the  "  pale-faced  "  writers, 
that  the  identical  cruelties,  the  records  and  descriptions  of  which 
enter  so  largely  into  the  composition  of  the  earlier  volumes  of  Ame- 
rican  history,  were  not  barbarities  in  the  estimation  of  those  who 
practised  them.  The  scalp-lock  was  an  emblem  of  chivalry.  Every 
warrior,  in  shaving  his  head  for  battle,  was  eareful  to  leave  the 
lock  of  defiance  upon  his  crown,  as  for  the  bravado,  "Take  it  if  you 
can."  The  stake  and  the  torture  were  identified  with  their  rude 
notions  of  the  power  of  endurance.  They  were  inflicted  upon  cap- 
tives  of  their  own  race,  as  well  as  upon  the  whites  ;  and  with 
their  own  braves  these  trials  were  courted,  to  enable  the  sufferer 
to  exhibit  the  courajie  and  fortitude  with  which  tliev  could  be 
borne — the  proud  scorn  with  which  all  the  pain  that  a  foe  might 
inflict,  could  be  endured. 

IJiit  they  fell  upon  slumbering  hamlets  in  the  night,  and  massacred 
defenceless  women  and  children  !  This,  again,  was  their  own  mode 
of  warfare,  as  honourable  in  their  estimation  as  the  more  courteous 
methods  of  committing  wholesale  murder,  laid  down  in  the  books. 

But  of  one  enormity  they  were  ever  innocent.  Whatever  degree 
of  personal  hardship  and  sufh.-ring  their  female  captives  were  com- 
polled  to  endure,  their  persons  were  never  dishonoured  by  violence; 
a  fact  which  can  bo  predicated,  we  apprehend,  of  no  other  victo- 
rious  soldiery  that  ever  lived. 

In  regard,  moreover,  to  the  countless  acts  of  cruelty  alleged  to  have 
been  perpetrated  by  the  savages,  it  must  still  be  borne  in  mind  that 
the  Indians  have  not  been  the  sculptors — the  Indians  have  had  no 
writer  to  relate  their  own  sidi;  of  the  story.  There  has  been  none 
•'  to  weep  for  Logan  !"  while  his  wrongs  have  been  unrecorded. 
Tlie  annals  of  man,  probably,  do  not  attest  a  more  kindly  reception 
of  intruding  tbreigners,  than  was  given  to  the  Pilgrims  landing  at 
Plymouth,  by  the  faithfid  Massassoit,  and  the  tril)es  under  his  jin-is- 
diction.  i\or  did  the  forest  kings  take  up  arms  until  they  but  too 
clearly  saw,  that  either  their  visiter.'^  or  tlieniselves,  must  be  driven 
from  the  soil  wiiich  was  tbeir  own — the  fee  of  which  was  derived 
from  the  (Jreat  Spirit.  And  tho  nation  is  yet  to  he  discovered  that 
will  not  fight  for  their  homes,  the  grave.?  of  their  fathers,  and  their 
family  altars.     Cruel  they  were,  in  tho  prosecution  of  their  contests  ; 


■t. 
I 


I 


IXTRODUCTIOX. 


XV 


i-v 


but  it  would  require  the  aggregate  of  a  largo  number  of  predatory 
incursions  and  isolated  burnings,  to  balance  the  awful  scene  of  con- 
flagration  and  blood,  which  at  once  extiniiuished  tiie  power  of  Sas- 
sacus,  and  the  brave  and  indomitable  Narragansets  over  whom  lie 
reigned.  No  !  until  it  is  forgotten,  that  by  some  Christians  in  infant 
31as>sachusetts  it  was  held  to  be  right  to  kill  Indians  as  the  aucnts 
tuid  familiars  of  Azazcl ;  until  the  early  records  of  even  tolerant  Con- 
necticut,  v  hich  disclose  the  fact  that  the  Indians  were  seized  by  tlio 
Piiritans,  transported  to  the  British  West  Indies,  and  sold  as  slaves, 
are  lost ;  until  the  Amazon  and  La  Plnta  shall  have  waslied  awav 
the  bloody  history  of  the  Spanish  Ami'rican  conquest ;  and  until 
tiic  fact  that  Cortez  stretched  the  unhap|)y  Guatimozin  naked  upon 
a  lu'dofljurning  coals,  is  proved  to  be  a  fiction,  let  not  the  American 
Indian  i)e  pronounced  the  most  cruel  of  men  ! 

If,  then,  ihe  moral  of  the  fable  is  thus  applicable  to  aboriginal 
history  in  general,  it  is  equally  so  in  regard  to  very  many  of  tlieir 
chili's,  whose  names  have  been  forgotten,  or  only  known  to  be  detested. 
Pccuhi'ir  circumstances  have  given  prominence,  and  fame  of  a  cer- 
tain  description,  to  some  few  of  the  forest  chieftains,  as  in  tlie  in- 
stances  of  Powhatan  in  the  south,  the  mighty  Philij)  in  the  east,  and 
the  great  Pontiac  of  the  north-west.  But  there  have  been  many 
others,  equal,  perhaps,  in  courage,  and  skill,  and  energy,  to  the  dis- 
finguished  chiefs  just  mentioned,  whose  names  have  been  steeped  in 
infamy  in  their  preservation,  because  "the  lions  arc  no  sculptors." 
They  liave  been  descril)ed  as  ruthless  butchers  of  women  and  children, 
without  one  redeeming  quality  save  those  of  animal  courage  and  in- 
dili'erenco  to  pain  ;  while  it  is  not  unlikely,  that  were  tlio  actual 
truth  known,  tlunr  characters,  for  all  the  high  qualities  of  the  sol. 
dier,  might  sustain  an  advantageous  comparison  with  those  of  halt 
the  warriors  of  equal  rank  in  Christendom.  Of  this  chiss  was  a 
prominent  subject  of  tlcj  present  volume,  whoso  name  was  terrible  in 
every  American  ear  during  the  war  of  Independence,  and  was  long 
afterward  associated  with  every  thing  bloody,  ferocious,  and  hateful. 
It  is  even  within  our  own  day,  that  the  name  of  Pkaat*  woidd 
chill  the  young  blood  by  its  very  sound,  and  ciiuse  the  lisping 
child  to  cling  closer  to  the  knee  of  its  mother.  As  the  master  spirit 
of  the  Indians  engaged  in  the  Hrilish  service  during  the  war  of  tho 
devolution,  not  only  were  all  the  border  massacres  charged  directly 
upon  him,  but  u|)on  his  head  fell  the  public  maledictions  for  every 


♦  Ahnost  iiiviiriabiy  written  niiANiiT  in  tho  hooks,  cvpii  in  ^U:^\n[.v  of  nis  own 
orllioj^rapliy,  wliicli  wus  uniformly  Dkant. 


XVI 


INTRODUCTION. 


inflividiial  act  of  atrocity  which  marked  that  sanguinary  contest, 
whether  committed  hy  Indians,  or  torie^,  or  hy  the  exasperated 
regular  sohhery  ot"  the  toe.  In  many  instances  great  Injustice  wan 
done  to  iiim,  as  in  regard  to  the  ailair  of  Wyoming,  in  connexion 
witli  which  his  name  has  been  used  by  every  preceding  annalist  who 
has  written  upon  the  subject  ;  while  it  has,  moreover,  for  the  same 
cause,  been  consigned  to  infamy,  deep  and  foul,  in  the  deathless  song 
of  Campbell.  In  other  cases  again,  the  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations, 
in  common  with  their  chief,  were  loaded  with  execrations  lor  atro- 
cities  of  which  all  were  alike  innocent — because  the  deeds  recorded 
were  never  conunittcd — it  having  been  the  policy  of  the  public 
writers,  and  tliose  in  authority,  not  only  to  magnify  actual  occur- 
rences, but  sometimes,  when  these  were  v,anting,  to  draw  upon  tlieir 
imaginations  for  accounts  of  such  deeds  of  ferocity  and  blood,  as 
might  best  serve  to  keep  alive  the  strongest  feelings  of  indigna- 
tion  against  the  parent  countrv,  and  likewise  induce  the  people  to 
take  the  field  for  revenge,  if  not  driven  thither  by  the  nobler  im- 
pulse  of  patriotism.* 

Such  deliberate  fictions,  tor  political  purposes,  as  that  by  Dr. 
Franklin,  just  referred  to,  were  |)robably  rare  ;  but  the  investigations 
into  which  the  author  has  been  led,  in  the  preparation  of  th(>  present 
work,  have  satisll.'d  him,  that  from  other  causes,  much  of  exaggera- 
tion  and  falsehood  has  obtained  a  permanent  footing  in  American 
history.  Most  historians  of  that  period,  English  and  American, 
wrote  too  near  the  time  when  the  events  tiiey  were  describing  oc- 
curreil,  for  a  dispassionate  investigation  of  truth  ;  and  other  writers 
who  hav(!  succeeded,  have  too  often  been  content  to  follow  in  the 
beaten  track,  without  incurring  the  labour  of  diligent  and  calm  in- 
quiry.  Ileterence  has  been  made  above  to  the  ailair  of  Wyoming, 
concerning  which,  to  this  day,  the  world  has  been  abused  with 
monstrous  fictions — with  tales  of  horrors  never  enacted.  The  ori- 
ginal  causes  of  this  historical  inaccuracy  arc  very  obvious.  As 
already  remarked,  our  histories  were  written  at  loo  early  a  day: 
when  the  authors,  or  those  sup|)lying  the  materials,  had,  as  it  were, 
but  just  emerged  from  the  conflict.  Their  passions  had  not  yet 
become  cooled,  and  they  wrote  under  feelings  and  prejudices  which 
could  not  but  influence  minds  governed  even  by  the  best  intentions. 
The  crudi>,  verbal  re|)orts  of  the  day — tales  of  hear-say,  coloured  by 
fancy  and  ag^rravated  by  fear, — not  only  found  their  way  into  tho 
ne\vs|)apers,  but  into  the  journals  of  military  ofi'icers.     These,  with 

♦  See  Appendix  A — tiio  wnll-known  scalp-story  of  Dr.  Franklin — long  believed, 
and  recently  revived  and  included  in  .xevcral  works  oi'ttuUicatic  history. 


m 


INTUODUCTION, 


XVll 


<T    00- 

riters 

II  llie 

1)1   in- 

iiii<r, 

witli 

ori- 

As 

(lay : 

weif, 

t  yet 

lich 

lon.s. 

(1  hy 

O    tllG 

witli 
iovcd, 


all  the  disadvantages  incidont  to  flying  rumors,  incroasinjn;  in  size 
and  enormitv  \vitii  every  repetition,  were  used  too  often,  it  is  ap. 
proliended,  without  farther  examination,  as  authentic  materials  for 
history.  Of  this  class  of  works  was  the  Military  Journal  of  Dr. 
James  Thatcher,  first  published  in  I8's!l^.  and  immediately  recorr. 
nized  as  historical  authority.  \o\v.  «o  far  as  tlie  aiitiior  speaks  of 
events  occurring  within  In  -  own  knowledge,  and  under  his  own  p"r. 
sonal  observation,  the  authority  is  good.  None  rnn  he  better. 
15ut  the  worthy  army  surgeon  did  not  by  any  means  confine  his 
diary  to  facts  and  occurrences  of  that  descri|)tion.  On  the  contrary, 
his  journal  is  a  general  record  of  incidents  and  transaetifms  occur- 
ring  in  almost  every  camp,  and  at  every  point  of  hostilities,  as  the 
reports  floated  from  mouth  to  mouth  through  the  division  of  the 
army  where  the  journalist  happened  to  be  engaged,  or  as  they  reached 
him  through  the  newspapers.  Hence  the  present  author  has  found 
the  ])oct(jr's  journal  a  very  unsafe  authority  in  regard  to  facts, 
of  wiiich  the  Doctor  was  not  a  s|)ectator  or  directly  cognizant. 
p]ven  the  diligent  care  of  Marshall  did  not  prevent  his  measurably 
falling  into  the  same  errors,  in  the  first  edition  of  his  Life  of  Wash- 
ington, willi  regard  to  Wvoming;  and  it  was  not  until  more  than  a 
quarter  of  a  century  afterward,  when  his  late  revised  edition  of  that 
great  work  was  about  to  appear,  that,  by  the  assistance  of  Mr. 
CiiAKLios  MiMOR,  an  intelligent  resident  of  Wilkesbarre,  the  readers 
of  that  eminent  historian  were  correctly  informed  touching  the  revo- 
lutionary  tragedy  in  that  valley.  Nor  even  then  was  the  correction 
entire,  inasmuch  as  the  name  of  Br.vnt  was  still  retained,  as  the 
leader  of  the  Indians  on  that  fearful  occasion.  Nor  were  the  ex- 
aggerations in  regard  to  the  invasion  of  ^Vyoming  greater  than 
were  those  connected  with  the  irruption  into,  and  destruction  of, 
Cherry  Valley,  as  the  reader  will  discover  in  the  course  of  the  en- 
suing  pages.  Indeed,  the  writer,  in  the  preparation  of  materials  for 
this  work,  has  encountered  so  much  that  is  false  recorded  in  history 
as  sober  verity,  that  he  has  at  times  been  disposed  almost  to  univer- 
sal  scepticism  in  regard  to  uninspired  narration. 

In  conclusion  of  this  Introduction,  a  short  history  of  the  origin  of 
the  present  work  may  not  be  impertinent.  It  was  the  fortune  of 
the  author  to  spend  several  of  his  early  years,  and  commence  his 
public  life,  in  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk — than  which  the  country 
scarce  afibrds  a  more  beautiful  region.  The  lower  section  of  this 
valley  was  entered  by  the  Dutch  traders,  and  settlements  were  com- 
menced,  originally  at  Schenectady,  very  soon  after  the  first  fort  was 
built  at  Albany,  then  called  Fort  Orange,  bv   Henrv  Christiaens  in 


will 


INTRODUCTION. 


1014.  The  Dutch  gradually  pushed  their  settlements  up  the  y^o- 
hawk  on  the  rich  bottom  lands  of  the  river,  as  far  as  Caiighnawapn. 
Beyond  that  line,  and  especially  in  the  upper  seclion  of  I  he  valiey 
west  of  the  Little  Falls,  and  eiu!iracin<x  the  hroad  and  heautifid  par- 
den  of  the  whole  district  known  as  the  (icrni.in  I'hitls,  the  first 
white  settlers  introduced  were  (Jermans — beiup  a  division  of  (he  Pa. 
latinates,  who  emigrated  to  America  early  in  the  eighr(  enih  century, 
under  the  patronage  of  Queen  Anne.  Three  thousiuid  (ienuans 
came  over  at  the  time  referred  to,  ahuut  the  year  170!),  a  portion 
of  whom  settled  in  Pennsylvania.  The  residue  ascended  (Ik;  Ilud- 
son  to  a  place  called  East  Camp,  now  in  tlie  county  of  ('(ilunihia. 
From  thence  they  found  their  way  iiitu  the  rieli  valley  <if  the  Scho- 
harie.kill,  about  the  year  ITIH,  ami  thence  ti.  tlw  (Jerman  1'latts,  of 
which  they  were  in  possession  as  early  as  ITvIO.  Tlu;  first  cdhmy, 
planting  themselves  in  .Selioharie,  consisted  of  hetwef  n  forty  and 
lifty  families.  Some  disagreements  soon  al'fer  arising  among 
them,  twelve  of  these  families  separated  from  their  eouipanions  ;  and, 
pushing  farther  w(.'stward  heyond  (he  [iittle  ImiIIs,  pluntcd  themselvesi 
down  ti[i<tn  the  rich  alluvial  llatts  at  tla;  conllucnce  ol' the  West  Ca- 
nada Creek  and  the  .Mohawk. 

At  the  time  of  its  discovery,  that  valley  was  occupied  I>y  the  IMo- 
hawk  Indians,  the  head  of  the  extended  confederacy  of  the  I'ivo 
Nations — the  Iro(|uois  or  the  French,  and  tlie  TJomans,  as  Doctor 
Colden  has  denominated  them,  of  the  \ew  \\'iMld.  Ol'  this  conli;- 
deracy,  the  .Mohawks  were  the  head  or  leailing  nation,  as  they  wero 
also  the  fiercest.*     The  Five  Nations  earlv  ultaclied  themselves  to 


♦  "  \  have  lii'iMi  told  l)y  old  tiicii  in  New  Fiii'limd,  wlio  rrmcnilx^iTd  llip  tniiP 
whoa  llii<  MolmwkH  iimdt!  wiu' on ///fir  latlidiiH  (llic  Molii  iuis),  tlmt  iih  soon  us  n 
Bins»lc  MiiliHwU  wiiH  disLiivcred  in  their  couiiliy,  lliiir  imliiinH  iniscd  iiciv  I'kimi 
hill  to  liill,  ,i  .Vo.'idic/.  .'  ,1  Moliiiii'h!  upon  wliiili  tlicy  «ll  lliil,  lilu)  h1icm|>  Iti  t'ori' 
Wolvi'M,  wiliiout  ultiiiiplin;;  lo  iniki?  tin' Ica-t  n  sistimcc  or  dilrncc  on  tli.  r^idc; 
iukI  tlmt  tli(>  iMiiii'  Sv\y  F.ni^liuui  IndiiiiiH  luiii  i  dintily  mhi  to  tlir  Cliiisiitin 
lionsrx,  mid  llic  Moliiiwk><  ol'ic'ii  ]Miisui'(l  tiicni  so  cloHcly,  lliut  llicv  cnl' nd  ulont; 
willi  lliiin,  iiinl  kiioi'Knl  ilirir  Ihiimim  out.  in  llif  iiit'sciici'  ol"  llic  |m  o|ili'  ot'llii"  lioiix'," 
ir(i/(/fii'.»  S/.r  .Vnf/oiu.)  Tlio  extH'llrnt  lice  twcldtr,  in  \\\n  inminiounl  iilVriliiiii 
lor  iIk!  licnni  I.i'niipt',  I'lilcrH  into  u  |(in<r  iiriiinni'iit  to  (I'lHiirovc  Colili  n  ii|ion  tluM 
|ioint ;  iiiiiintinniii<4  tlmt  tlie  .MoIiiiwKm  were  uimt  of  niore  t'  ril'ic  I'.iiih'  tlnui  On; 
Diliuvnrt'n.  Tlio  untlioritiiM,  jiownvor,  arn  nuaiiiNt  llir  loikI  Moniviiin  ii  i.ixioniiry, 
to  wliii'li  the  nritcr  niny  mid  tin'  wcifiht  nf  the  I'oliouinu  iiuidnit,  vf  «oiiip!iriiti\i  ly 
rcci'iil  occnrrcnci' :  —  Soiiiii  ten  or  twelve  yiiirn  iiyo,  ii  \Min(hilii!{  Moliiiwk  Imd 
xtrii^ulcd  (iwiiy  iVoia  llio  iiiicicat  hoiuu  ot'lii.-*  trilie,  iir*  Itirnw  the  Stiite  nr.Miiiin-,  luul 
pri'ncnli'd  liinisclt',  one  day,  in  tlie  streets  ol'n  sinnti  tiu\n  not  fur  I'loni  the  I'enoheent 
iiver.  Inihun  lorniH  uiid  laees  xvero  not  Nliiiii^ers  in  this  he  e  coniiiiiniily,  thero 
bfing  u  ri'innunt  of  tlio  rutiuliHcota  yet  i<xiRtin<{  in  the  ncijjhtioiirliuod,  who  wcro  in 


J 


IXTKODUCTION. 


xix 


p  the  !\ro. 
;hna\v!i(:!i. 
Ilip  vnlii'y 
iiidfiil  par- 
,  tlif  first 
of  tlic  Pa- 
h  frritiiry, 

(I'lTlllMllS 

ii  pnrliiin 
Ihr  Mud. 
('<>Iiiinl)ia. 
lli(!  Scho. 
Flatts,  of 
•,sl  Cdldny, 
forty  and 
fjj  ariiong 
oils;  and, 
lidiiisolvcs 
Wivst  Cii. 

V  till'  Mo. 

I  lie  I'ivu 
s  Dot; tor 
lis  confo. 

In'y  wcro 
isclvL's  to 

il  tliP  thiic 
s  soiiii  niJ  (I 

II  (TV    tVdIII 

H'l   {I   III  t'llVl' 

III.  r  Side; 

('liii!<tiiiii 

li'ii'il  iiliinm 

III'   llOII-l'," 

ll  all! ctiiiii 
I  ii|Miii  ihiM 

lIlllM    l.lll) 

i-<.''iiiiiiirv, 

|IIMIili\  I  Iv 

!iii\\k   liiul 

illllr,  niul 
l'('iiiili«('nt 
Illy,  tliiTO 
HI  Wire  in 


the  Englisli,  and  wore  consequently  often  engaged  in  hostilities  with 
the  rronch  of  Canada,  and  ospocialiy  with  tho  llurons  and  Adiron. 
dacks  or  Alf:;oiuiiiins — powerful  nations  in  alliance  with  th'»  Cana. 
dians.  Another  consequence  was,  that  the  Mohawk  valley,  and  in. 
deed  tlu;  wiiole  country  inhahitcd  hy  the  Five  Nations,  wero  the 
thoatn.'  of  successive  wars,  from  the  discovery  down  to  the  close  of  the 
war  of  tilt'  American  Revolution.  Tliere  is,  therefore,  no  section  of 
the  United  States  so  rich  in  iiistorical  incident,  as  the  valley  of  the 
Mohawk  and  the  contiguous  territory  at  the  west. 

At  the  time  of  the  author's  residence  in  the  Mohawk  country,  the 
materials  of  iluit  history,  es[t('cially  that  portion  of  tiiem  connected 
with  events  suhscipicnt  to  the  coiniuest  of  Canada  hy  Great  IJritain, 
were  lur  the  iiHist  pari  ungathered.  The  events  ol'  tho  war  of  the 
Ucvolutinii.  which  now  here  else  ragi'd  so  furiously,  and  was  no. 
w  here  else  marked  with  su<;h  hitter  and  entire  desolation,  were  then 
fresh  in  the  recolk'ctions  of  the  people  ;  and  many  a  time  and  ot't 
were  the  recitals  listi'ind  to  w  ilh  thrilling  interest,  and  laid  up  in 
(he  store. house  of  memory,  as  among  tin;  richest  of  its  traditionary 
treiisiircs.  Nor  was  tlie  interest  of  these  verhal  narratives  diminished 
hy  visiting  the  sites  of  tlio  old  iortilicatitjiis,  strolling  over  the  hat. 
tie. fields,  and  noting  the  shot-lnilcs  in  the  walls  ot'such  houses  as  liad 
stood  out  the  contest,  and  the  marks  of  cannon  halls  u|)on  the  trunks 
of  trei  s  }('t  renmining  on  lields  w  hich  had  heen  scenes  of  bh)ody 
slnfe. 

S  'veral  years  afterward  it  occurred  to  the  author  to  undertake 
II  laslv  which  he  ought  to  have  commenced  years  helore,  viz.  tho 
composition  of  a  historical  memoir  of  the  Mohawk  Valley,  which 
would  emhody  those  written  and  unwritten  materials  of  history,  now 
fast  disappearing  hy  the  death  of  the  actors  in  the  scenes  to  he  de. 
sciilii'd,  and  the  loss  uf  papi>rs  and  maim- I'ripts,  of  which  su(*li 
reckless  destruction  is  allowed  in  this  couiiti\.     in  the  pre  gross  of 

till' li;iliil  III' visiting  till-  |il(i("i',  liiiir  (>r  live  tinirs  a  ycnr,  for  lln>  iMirclm^u  nf  such 
nnoMMiuiirt  lit  tlii'ir  imDiH  i  milil  ('(iniiniuiil.  ll  liiipiicnid  timt  ii  piuly  uf  lliiin  liiid 
Ciinir  ill  on  till'  vol}'  (i,iy  nl'  lli>'  Mniuiw  k'.-<  uriiMtl  ;  ami  ur<  In'  wiim  li)imi;iiii;  lliiou|;li 
till'  Htri'ti,  lir  I  iiiiio  RUildi'iily  ii|Miii  tliiiii  ill  iiiiiiii"^  ii  coriicr.  'I'iii;  ricd^niiion,  on 
tlirir  pill,  wiiH  ill  fill  iitiiiici  111^,  11 1 II I  NMiM  cv  iiliiilly  III  ciiiiipiuiii  il  liy  run  liniis  orniunn 
iiml  (li-tiii'.t.  "  MuliuwU,  Miilmwk,"  wa*  iiiiiltricii  Ity  hih'  nnti  hiioIIht,  iiiiij  ho 
lun;j  IIS  iii<  rcinuiiiiii  in  ni^iit,  tlnircycii  wcii'  li.vcil  upon  liiin  willi  un  cviijciit  i<xpn>*« 
■ioii  III'  imciiKiiicw*.  A?'  I'lir  the  Mnliiiw  k,  lie  rimilcHcciKJcd  mily  Ni  rive  llii'iii  ii  pasi- 
in^  <;l,iiiri',  iiiiil  wiiit  uii  Ins  w  ay  w  itli  l!ii'  hiiiiH'  li)ilii;Jil;j,  imliliirciit  filrp  lliiil  lie  lui>l 
cxliil)ili'(i  I'loiii  thi'  liiNt.  11(1  wuH  It  iiipi'ililoiikiiii;  iVliovv,  of  almiit  2\  lull  hix  fi'ct 
ia  hrinlit,  nnd  could  ini-ily  linvo  doinolinlnid  lliroo  or  four  of  tlio  dwortiih  nad  uffcmi* 
nuto  Puiiubgcutii. 


m^ 


XX 


INTRODUCTION. 


thought  and  investigation  upon  the  subject,  it  was  soon  determined 
to  embrace  in  the  ])ru|)osed  memoir  some  biographical  account  of  the 
Great  Chief  of  the  Six  iNations,  Joskph  IJkam' — Tiiaykndaxkuea  ; 
but  liiere  was  yet  another  distinguished  name,  whose  liistory  and 
fame  were  intimately  connected  with  ihe  .Mohawks,  and  whose 
character  has  neither  been  justly  descril)ed  nor  well  understood. 
Tlie  reader  will  probably  anticipate  the  name,  Sir  William  John- 
SON,  By  this  time  it  was  appariMit  that  the  work,  if  executod, 
must  be  more  extended  than  had  originally  been  contemplated  ;  and  u 
few  slight  preparations  were  made  for  its  conunencement  ten  years 


It  was  some  time  in  the  year  18-.29  that  the  design  was  abandoned. 
Calling  iij)on  his  venerai)le  friend  ('hancellor  Ivi:nt,  one  morning,  fur 
the  purpose  of  hiurowinii  a  rare  volume  uf  a  still  rar(M'  history  ol 
the  old  French  war  of  175rj-M;?,  the  author  was  infornx'd  tiiat  his  de. 
sign  had  been  anticipated  by  Willi  \Ji  W.  ('ami-hull,  Escp,  a  young 
gontleinan  of  promise  who  was  jilat  eniuinif  to  the  !»ar — a  native  of 
the  country  to  be  occupied  as  historic  gnMin(l---;!!i(l  wiiu.sc  work  was 
then  nearly  ready  for  (he  press.  Under  these  circumstances,  the 
project  of  the  author  was  at  once  relin(|iiish('d. 

Mr.  Cami)l)ell's  hook — "  vVnnals  of  'IVyon  County," — made  its 
U])pearanc(!  in  1831  ;  and  was  at  once  found  valuabli!  for  its  facts, 
and  cre(lital)le  alike;  to  the  industry  and  talents  of  an  author,  who, 
nllluiugh  then  so  \  (lUiiy;,  possessed  the  enterprise  to  undertake  the  ne. 
cessary  labour,  and  the  ambition  to  inscribe  his  n.ime  upon  the  roll 
of  American  historians.  Still,  the  work  was  not  a  substitute  for  that 
which  the  author  had  proposed  ;  its  object  was  a  more  limited  his* 
tory,  bdlh  of  time  and  t«>rrit(U'y,  than  had  lu'eii  entertained  in  respect 
of  tile  present  work.  .Mr.  Campiiell's  Annals,  with  the  e\cepii<in  of 
II  very  I'ew  brief  aiul  partiiil  skcilehes.  («iiihra<M'd  the  history  only  (d' 
the  war  of  the  Revolutiou  in  that  particular  section  ol' countrv.  and 
had  little  to  do  with  hittgriiphy.  The  design  of  tlu;  author,  eiiliirged 
by  reljeelion  and  research,  now  be^an  to  ediuprehend  a  history  oi 
the  Six  Nations,  and  their  wars  wilhiln'  P'riiich,  iliinms,  or  NV'yun. 
dolH,  and  Adirondaeks  ;  the  settli'inenl  of  Iho  country  hv  the  palo 
faces;  n  history  of  the  l*'rench  Wnr,  so  I'ur  as  that  uieniunilile  c»  i. 
test  was  conni.'Cted  with  the  Indians  and  eulmiy  of  Xew-Vork  ;  to. 
gel  her,  or  rather  blended,  with  the  Fiives  (if  Sir  William  .lohiisoii 
and  .loseph  llriint.  A  work  of  this  df>serip(ion  seemed  to  be  a  desi. 
drralum  in  Am(>rican  history  ;  and  in  (be  autumn  of  is;<-j,  pn-pa. 
rations  fur  the  undertaking  wero  resumod,  with  what  success  will  in 
part  bu  seen  in  the  setiuel. 


k 


INTKODUCTION. 


XXI 


iniKio  if 9 
its  Tacts, 
lor,  wlio, 

tllO   IK'. 

Ii(^  n.ll 
'or  tli.it 
vi\  his- 

r('S|M!('t 

lion  of 
>iily  oi' 

rv.  imd 
il;ii;j;('(l 
lorv  ol 
W  vi.ii. 

r  \y,\\{' 
(•   VA.\. 

k  ;  lo. 
olilisoi) 
a  (IfNi. 
prcpa. 
will  ill 


In  the  prosecution  of  the  proliiniiKiry  iahoiir,  efforts  were  made  to 
procure  materials  iVoin  the  survivors  (if  the  iamiiy  of  Sir  William 
Johnson,  residing  in  the;  Caiiadas.  Tiieseelfort.i  have  thus  far  heen 
attended  with  hut  partial  success.  From  one  of  the  grandsons, 
however,  Mr.  ARcniHAM)  Johnson,  a  valiiahle  manuscript  volume  has 
been  |)rocured,  containing  the  private  diary  of  Sir  William  during 
the  Niagara  camjiaign  of  IT")!),  in  which  (General  Prideanx  lell, 
leaving  the  command  of  the  army  to  the  haronet,  wlwise  efforts  were 
crowned  with  hrilliant  success.  From  among  the  papers  of  the  late 
Lieut.  Ciovernor  of  New-York.  John  Tavloij,  in  possession  of  his 
daughter,  !\lus.  Cooi'kk,  the  author  has  fortunately  ohtained  the 
manuscript  of  Sir  \\"iiliam's  oflieial  diary  for  the  years  1757,  I7r»'', 
and  a  part  of  the  year  17.")!).  together  with  a  smaU  parcel  of  other 
papers  and  letters.  A  tew  of  the  haronet's  letters  ami  papers  are 
also  yet  exta;)f,  in  th(>  archives  of  the  stafe  a!  Alhaiiy.  All  theM! 
will  alford  materials  for  his  proposed  hiouraphy,  and  lor  other 
historical  illustrations,  o''  high  \alue.  M.mvoflh(>  harniiet's  pa- 
pers  were  destroycul  in  tlie  war  of  tiie  llevolutioii  ;  and  many  others, 
it  is  ascertained,  are  only  to  he  f)und  in  l''n^land — to  wiiich 
country  a  special  visit  will  prol)aI)ly  he  necessary  for  their  eon-ulta- 
tion. 

It  will  readilv  he  pcM'ceived,  tliaf  the  propos"d  work  end>races 
two  epochs,  ln;tween  which  there  is  a  very  iiatmMl,  and  even  neees. 
sary,  division.  Tix;  first  emhraces  the  early  history  refi'rred  lo,  w  ilh 
a  history  of  tli(>  I'retieh  war,  and  the  country,  (o  the  death  of  Sir 
William  Johnson.  The  scjcond  division  emhraces  tin-  lili'  nj"  Jo. 
seph  Hraiil.  and  th"  Knohilionary,  Indian,  ami  Tory  wars  ol'  liie 
northern  and  western  part  ol'tlie  Slal(>  of  New. York  ;  and  allhouyh 
aiilicipafed,  to  a  coiisideraMe  evteiil.  hy  Mr.  ('aniplx  II.  still  the  au- 
thor entered  the  field  of' invi'stigiilion  wilh  as  much  spirit  a"  (hounh 
it  had  not  heen  historii'ally  traversed  hefore.  In  the  emirse  ol'  his 
'aliours  l'.(>  has  visited  t!ie  .Mohawk  Valley  lhre(>  several  times  wilii 
no  other  olijeet,  Ascertaitiiiig.  moreover,  that  the  veneriihle  Mnjur 
'i'lio.MAs  Sammons,  of  Johnstown,  himself',  with  his  f'athir  and  two 
brothers,  an  ellieii'iil  aelm'  in  llie  .seenes  of  llie  IlevohiliiMi,  had  f'or 
tnanv  years  heen  collecting  historical  nnl'rials  in  that  rei.',ioM,  lhi> 
niifl  or  applied  to  liini  ;  and  was  so  foi'lunafe  as  not  oidv  to  proeur  • 
bis  (dlleelions,  hut  to  induce  the  old  gentleman  to  re-enter  (he  field 
of'  iii(|uiry.  Ilv  his  iissislanee  a  larij:e  liodv  of  facts  ami  state. 
ineiils,  taken  down  in  writing  during  the  last  thirty  years,  from  the 
lips  of  sur\iviiig  (dfn-ers  and  soldiers,  has  been  (dttaincd  «or  the 
present  woik.     These  documents  have  added  largely  to  the  most 


XX 11 


INTRODUCTION. 


authentic  materials  of  liistcjry,  enabling   t'.c  autl:  r  to  bring  out 

I)  correct  (iivcr.s  errors  in  tiio 


JlIRl 


>    I        |( 


\f! 


many  new  and  inter,  sting  faels. 

works  of  preceding  writers,  wi.o  liavc  superlieially  occiipii'd  t 
siiir.o  ground.  In  addit.on  lo  tbt  se,  the  linv  remaining  papers  ul' 
the  bravo  General  Ukkkimkr,  who  fell  at  Oriskany  in  1777.  have 
been  placed  at  tlic  disposal  ef  the  aiithor,  by  his  nephew,  .lo'in 
Herkimer,  Esq.  Still  the  work  of  i\ir.  Cumphell  has  been  tbnml  ot' 
great  use,  and  by  consent  has  been  liberallv  drawn  upon,  in  re- 
gard  to  some  transactions,  it  was,  indeed,  almost  th(>only  aiilhorily; 
as  in  the  cases  of  Cherry  Valley,  some  of  the  transactions  in  the 
Schoharie  V^illey,  and  the  exploits  of  Colonel  ILirper. 

Hut  thi-ii  is  not  all.  The  author  has  visited  Fpper  Canada,  and 
Montreal  and  Quebec,  in  search  of  materials.  .Must  liuduly  for  the 
cause  of  historic  truth,  and  the  reputation  of  .Iose|)h  IJraiit,  duritiii  his 
Canadian  researches  he  became  apprised  of  t'le  fact,  that  tiie  old 
Bloliawk  cliief,  himself  a  man  of  ;i  preMy  good  ImiuHsIi  eduealion, 
had  left  a  large  mass  of  manuscripts,  consisting  of  ids  own  speeches, 
(lelivcrivl  on  many  and  various  occasions,  and  a  great  num!)er  of 
letters  adtlressed  to  him  ;  together  with  copies  of  his  own  letters  in 
ro|)ly.  which  he  had  preserved  with  equal  industry  and  care.  Theso 
papi'rs  w(>re  in  the  keeping  of  his  youngest  daughter,  a  lady  of  high 
respectaliility,  alxu'iginid  though  slie  be,  and  eligibly  married  to 
\\  iiii.iAM  .loii.\so\  Kr.iiu,  F.sq.  of  Wellington  Square.  Upper  Ca- 
nada. It  was  obvious  tiiat  tliose  j^apers  must  prove  a  ri(di  mine  for 
<;xploriition  ;  and  an  application  Iroiii  the  author,  through  his  iVieud 
th(>  lldii.  .M  vijsii  \i,L  S.  Ilinwci.i,,  (d'  'r(U(Uito,  was  most  readily 
responded  to  by  .Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kerr.  'I'll'-  papers,  it  is  true,  were 
jess  cD'uieeted  than  had  been  hoped;  and  by  iiundr("ds  of  rel'erenees 
and  allusions  contained  lh(>rein,  it  is  obvious  that  large  mmii'ers  cd' 
letters,  journals,  ami  speeches  have  been  lost — |)ast  recovery.  Still, 
tiu)se  which  remain  have  |)roved  rd' great  assistaneiMiud  rare  value. 

To  the  kiudni'vs  of  Cm  vKi.r.s  A.  Ci,tN-ro\,  l''s(|.  ili(>  author  has 
been  intlebted  for  access  to  the  pri\at(»  papers  ol'  (leneral  .Iamks 
Cmnton,  his  graniliather.  in  ihe  composilicui  of  (Uie  portion  of  iho 
present  voliutie,  these  papers  have  been  t'oiui  1  of  vast  impiu'tanee. 
(letieral  .lames  ('linton  was  the  father  of  the  late  illustrious  |)e  Witt 
Clint(Ui,  and  the  brother  of  (Jovernor  (Jeofiri'  Clinton.  Hi«  was 
much  in  ronnnaiid  in  tln'  Dortheru  department,  and  it  was  under  his 
coudu('t  that  t!i»;  eelebrateil  (lescenl  (d"  the  Susipiehanmi  was  per- 
formed in  I77i>.  His  own  letters,  ivnd  those  of  his  correspondents, 
have  been  «d'  material  assistance,  not  only  in  relation  lo  that  cam- 
paiun,  but  upon  various  other  points  of  history.     It  was  among  theso 


2 


iNTUoincriu.v. 


xxia 


l)ring  out 
ois  in  till) 
:!i])ii-(l  till! 
piipors  ()[' 
111,  IlilVO 
'\v,  .lo'iii 
n  found  of 
n.  In  It'- 
uitlmriiy ; 
)ns  in  tlic! 

nndii,  and 

ily  (or  tlio 
duririii  liis 
ill  (ho  old 
("diication, 
sppcclips, 
ninnhor  of 
I  let  tors  in 
0.  'I'l.cso 
ly  fit"  liiijli 
ii!ii'ri('il  to 
ipcr  Cii- 
tnin»*  lor 
is  iVirnd 
road  ily 
lo,  wo  10 
ll  Ten  COM 
il'crs  (if 
.  Slill, 
•  viilno. 
Ihnr  lias 
.1  \Mi:s 

M   of  I  lid 

ortanoo. 
Do  Wilt 
llo  was 
ndor  jiis 
was  |)(<r- 
oiidoiits, 
lat  cani- 
ng tlieso 


^ 


papers  that  the  letters  of  Walter  N.  Biillor,  respecting  the  affairs  of 
Cherry  Valley  and  Wyominfr,  wor(!  discovered. 

In  connexion  with  the  history  of  the  expedition  of  Sidlivan  and 
Clinton,  just  referred  to,  the  author  lias  likewise  heen  favoured  with 
till?  manuscript  diary  of  the  venerable  Captain  Tiikodosius  Fowi.kr 
oftliis  citv,  who  was  an  active  oflicer  durin<T  tli<i  whole  campaiiin. 
In  addition  to  the  valuahle  memoranda  contained  in  this  diary,  ('apt. 
I'owler  has  [)resorved  ii  drawing  of  the  order  of  march  adopted  in 
ascending  the  Chemung,  after  the  junction  of  the  two  armies,  and 
also;i  plan  of  the  gretit  hattle  fought  at  Newtown  hy  Sullivan,  against 
the  Indians  and  Tories  commanded  hy  Brant  and  Sir  .lolin  .lolinson  ; 
hoth  uf  which  drawings  have  been  engraved,  and  will  he  found  in  the 
sooDud  vulumo. 

In  the  winter  of  177.") — '70,  an  expedition  was  conducted  from 
Albany  into  Tryon  County,  for  the  purpose  of  disarming  the  Tories 
and  arresting  Sir  .Fohn  Johnson,  of  the  partieidars  of  wliioh  very 
link'  has  hitliorto  heen  known.  On  aj)plicatioi)  to  the  family  of 
(ioiioral  Schuyler,  it  was  ascertained  that  his  letter  jjooks  for  that 
p(.Mi(id  wore  lost.  After  much  inquiry,  the  necessary  documents  were 
obtained  from  1'i;ti;|{  Fokci:,  Ks(].  at  ^Vashingtoll. 

The  autlmr  has  likewise  h(;en  iiidel)ted  to  CJeneral  Pirmi  B.  Poii- 
Ti;;!,  of  Black  Rock,  tor  some  valuable  information  ros|)ocling  the 
character  and  some  of  the  actions  of  Brant.  (Joneral  I'orler  was 
an  early  emigrant  into  the  western  part  of  the  Slate,  nsanagiuit  for 
the  great  landholder,  Oliver  Phelps;  and  the  execution  of  liisdiiies 
brought  him  into  fre(pient  intercourse  witii  many  of  the  chi(ds  and 
sachouis  of  the  Jnd'ans.  Among  these  he  became  inliinaloly  ac- 
(piaintcd  with  the  Mohawk  chie.'",  between  whom  ami  himself  a  written 
correspondence  was  occasionally  maintained  liu-  f-everal  years. 
Unfortunately,  however,  that  correspondence,  wilh  other  communi- 
cations  in  his  hand-writing,  which  (ion.  Porter  had  taken  sumo 
pains  lo  |)roser\e,  was  destroyed  by  one  of  the  inonrsions  of  the 
LWH'iiiy  across  th(;  Niagara  during  the  last  war.  Slill,  th(>  (Joneral 
has  siijiplied  the  autluu'  with  spverul  imporlant  reudiiisceiicos  re. 
■peeling  the  (dd  chief,  and  one  transaclion  of  Ihrilliiig  interest,  hore- 
(oloro  (>ntir(dy  unknown. 

A  Irieiid  of  the  aullior,  a  higldy  respoclable  and  inlelligont  orto. 
Iienariaii,  S\Mri;i,  Woonm  i  r,  l'ls(|..  of  NN'indsor,  Cimnecticul,  made 
u  visit  to  BranI  at  the  (Jrand  River  SetllomenI,  in  the  Nummer  o( 
171»7,  and  romuitied  wilh  h  ,.i  .'ioveral  days,  in  the  enjoyment  ot 
fre(pient  and  full  conversations  upon  manv  subjects.  Mr.  Woodriill 
lia8  obligingly  furnishetl  a  dozen  pages  or  more  of  instruct ive  notes 


XXIV 


INrUODUC'lIOX. 


I 


and  memoranda  of  tlioso  conversations,  which  have  been  freely  used. 
The  author  is  likewise  under  obligations  to  Professor  Maksh  of  I>ur- 
linpton  College,  (Vt.)  a  connexion,  by  murriafTe,  of  the  WiieelocU 
family,  for  several  of  Hrant's  orijjinal  letters  ;  and  also  to  Tho- 
mas .Moiuiis,  Esq.,  of  New-York,  who  knew  the  cliief  well,  and  was 
several  years  in  correspondence  vith  him,  for  the  same  favour.  Mr. 
Campbell  has,  moreover,  supplied  several  documents  of  value,  ob- 
tained by  him  after  the  publication  of  his  own  book. 

Having,  by  the  acquisition  of  these  and  other  papers,  procured  all 
the  materials  that  appeared  to  remain,  or,  at  least,  all  that  were  ac- 
cessible, while  the  documentary  papers  for  the  first  division  of  the 
work  were  yet  very  in^'omjjlete,  the  author,  like  Hotta,  in  his  pro. 
mised  coni|)let«  history  of  Italy,  has  b(>en  compelled  to  write  the  lat- 
ter portion  of  the  work  first.      In  the  execution  of  this  task,  he  had 
su|)posed  that    the   bulk  of  his   labour   would  cease  with    the  close 
of  the   war    of  the   Revolution,   or  at   most,    that    prune  fifteen   or 
twenty    pages,    sketching   rapidly   the   latter   years    of   the   life  of 
Thayendanegea,  woidd  be  all  that  was  necessary.     Far  otherwise 
v/   was  (he  fact.      'Vlieii   the   author   came   to  examine   the   papers  of 
Hranf.  nearly  all  of  which   were  connected  with   his  career   subse- 
(pient  to  that  ecuitest,  it  was  found  that  his  lil'e  iindaetiond  had  been 
intimately  associated    with  the   Indian    and   Canadian    polities   of 
more  than  twenty  years  after  the  treaty  of  peace  ;   that  a  suc(;essioii 
of  Indian  Congresses  were  held  by  the  nations  of  tl'.e  great  lakes,  in 
all  whieli  he  was  one  of  the  master  spirits  ;   that  he  was  directly  or 
indirectly  engaged  in    the  wars  betwiM-n  the   I'uiled  States  and  In- 
dians  from   17H!)  to   1795,  during  which   lli(>  liNiody  campaigns  of 
Ilarmar,  St.  Clair,  iind  Wayne,  to(.k   place;  and  that  lie  acted  nn 
important  part  in  (he  affair  cd'  (he  iNnrtb-NVestern  posts,  so  long  re- 
tained  by  (ireat  Hritain  al'ler  the  treaty  of'  peace.     This  discovery 
compelhul  the  writer  to  enter  u|)on  a  new  and  altoivether  unexpected 
field  of  research,     iMany  difhculties  \\er«!  encoun(ere(l  in  IbeecaDpo. 
sition  of  this  hramdi  of  the  work,  ari.-ing  from  various  causes  and 
rircuuislanc(^s.      The  conlliclinix  relilious  tif  the  I^nifed  S(a(es,  (ho 
Indians,  and  (he  Canadians,  togethei  wit'i  the  peeuliariind  s(unetimes 
nppiireiitly  equivocal  position  in  which  the  Mohawk  chiel" — (he  subject 
of  the  biography — stood  in   regard  (o  them   all  ;   (he  more  (ban  di. 
plomatic  caution  with  which  \\\i'  IJrilisli  ollicers  managed  (hedouble 
giuue  which  it  suited  (heir  policy  (o  play  so  long  ;  the   broken  cha- 
raeter  of  tlu!  written  materials  oblained  by  tiie  author:  and  the  ne- 
cessity  of  supplying  many  links  in  the  clmin  of  events  from  <  im.in. 
stuntiul  evidence  und  the  unwritten  records  of  Indian   diplomacy  ; 


i 


i 


INTRODUC  riON. 


XXV 


•cely  used, 
sii  of  Uur- 
Wlu'olock 
1  to  Tno- 
I,  and  wiis 
our.  !Mr. 
V!ilu(\  ob- 

rociircd  all 
t  wore  ac- 
;ion  of  tliu 
n  his  pro. 
tc  tho  lat- 
sk,  ho  had 

(lie  close 
fiftopii  or 
lie  life  of 
otherwise 
papers  of 
per  siihse. 
3  had  heen 
)olities  of 
neccssif)!! 
1  lakes,  in 

iri'ctK'  or 
s   and  Tn- 

laijrns  of 

acted  an 
()  lon^r  re- 
discovery 
nexiiecled 


III 


coMipo. 

ses  and 
ales,  the 
iiietiriies 
e  siiliject 

than  di. 

iMloiihle 
lull  cha- 
1  the  ne. 

Ml  i<il|. 

loniHcy  ; 


all  combined  to  render  tho  matters  to  be  elucidated,  exceedingly 
complicated,  intricate,  and  ditiicult  of  clear  explanation.  But  tan- 
Lded  as  was  the  wel),  the  author  has  endeavoured  to  ujiravcl  the 
materials,  and  weave  them  into  a  narrative  of  consistency  and  truth. 
The  result  of  these  labours  is  embodied  in  the  second  part  of  the 
present  work  ;  and  unless  the  author  has  over-estimated  botli  the  in- 
terest  and  the  importance  of  this  portion  of  American  history,  the 
contribution  now  made  will  i)e  most  acceptable  to  the  reader. 

In  addition  to  the  matters  here  indicated,  a  pretty  full  account  of 
the  life  of  Brant,  after  the  close  of  the  Indian  wars,  is  given,  by  no 
means  barren  either  of  incident  or  anecdote ;  and  the  whole  is  con- 
eluded  by  some  interesting  particulars  respecting  the  family  of  the 
chiei",  gi\'ing  their  personal  history  down  to  the  jiresent  day. 

It  may  possibly  bo  objected  by  some — those  especially  who  are  apt 
to  form  opinions  without  much  reflection — that  the  author  has  in- 
dulged  rather  liberally,  not  only  in  the  use  of  public  speeches  and 
documents,  but  also  in  the  tianscription  of  |)rivate  letters.  To  this 
he  would  reply,  that  in  his  view,  his  course  in  that  respect  adds  es- 
sentially  to  the  value  of  the  work ;  and  had  it  not  lujen  for  the  un- 
expected  size  to  which  the  volumes  have  attained,  those  quotations 
would  have  been  made  with  still  greater  freedom.  For  instance,  in 
reg;ird  (o  the  interesting  proceedings  at  the  last  (irand  Council  of 
the  Six  Nations  hold  in  Albany,  it  was  the  original  intention  of  the 
author,  long  as  Iboy  are,  to  insert  them  in  tho  text ;  unci  so  the  mat- 
ter  was  at  first  arranged.  The  ancient  Council  Fire  of  the  Six  Na- 
tions  was  always  kept  burning  at  Onondaga,  the  central  nation  of 
tho  confederacy.  But  from  the  time  of  the  alliance  between  the  Six 
Nations  and  the  I'wiglish,  tho  tires  of  the  united  councils  of  the  two 
powers  were  kindled  at  Albany.  There,  according  to  the  Indian 
figure  of  speech,  the  big  tree  was  planted,  to  which  the  cluiin  of 
friendship  was  made  fast.  But  with  the  close  of  the  Great  Council 
held  there  in  the  summer  of  1775,  (li;it  Cxrr,  which  had  so  long  been 
burning,  was  extinguished.  It  wa  ibe  last  Indian  congress  ever 
Iicld  at  tho  anciiMit  Dutch  capital.  It  took  place  at  a  most  import- 
ant  crisis,  and  its  proceedings  were  both  of  an  important  and  an 
interesting  character.  Nor,  until  now,  have  those  proceedings  ever 
been  |)ublished  entire.  Indeed,  it  is  helievtMl  ihat  no  part  of  them 
■was  ever  in  print,  until  very  recently  a  jxirlion  of  the  manuscript 
was  discovered,  and  inserted  in  that  invaluable  collection,  the  papers 
of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society.  That  manuscript,  however, 
was  very  defective  an<I  incuinplete,  and  chance  alone  lias  enabled 
the  author  to  supply  the  dclicicncy.     It  happene<l,  during  one  of  his 


xxvi 


INTRODUCTION. 


If'l 


) 

t, 


visits  to  the  office  of  tiie  Secretary  of  State  last  year,  in  search  of 
(lociiincnts,  that  he  discoverod,  among  sonic  ancient,  loose,  and  ne- 
glected papers,  several  sheets  of  Indian  treaty  proceedings,  which 
were  of  tiieniselvcs  very  imperfect.  Supposing,  however,  tli;it  they 
niiglit  possibly  be  of  use  at  some  time,  lie  caused  them  to  he  tran- 
scribed. Most  luckily,  on  examining  them  in  connexion  w  itli  the 
publication  of  the  Massachusetts  collection,  they  were  found  exactly 
to  supply  tlie  deficiencies  of  the  latter.  'I'lie  result  is,  that  the  |)a- 
pers  appear  now  for  tlie  first  time  entire  ;  a  [lortion  of  tlieiu,  how. 
ever,  from  their  great  length,  having  been  transferred  to  tlie  Appen- 
dix. 

In  regard  to  the  use  of  speeches  and  letters,  moreover,  the  author, 
after  much  consideration,  has  adopted  the  plan,  as  I'ar  as  pcjssihle,  of 
allowing  the  actors  in  tlu! scenes  described  to  tell  their  own  stories. 
Tliis  is  a  method  of  historical,  and  es|)ecially  of  biogrii|)liical,  writing, 
which  is  coming  more  into  favour  than  formerly.  Marsiliall  adopts  it 
to  a  considerable  extent,  and  very  eflectively,  in  tlieLil'e  of  Washing- 
ton.  The  instructive  and  admirable  lifeot"  that  nulilest  of  Kiiglaud's 
naval  warriors.  Lord  Collingwood,  was  constructed  upon  th.is  plan. 
So,  also,  with  Moore's  Life  of  Hyron.  TiiN  lor's  Life  of  ("owpcr,  one  of 
the  most  useful  as  well  as  interesting  lives  that  have  beiui  written  of 
that  most  melancholy  and  yet  most  d(>lightful  of  l''n;ilisli  bards,  is  eom- 
poseil  almost  entirely  from  tlie  poet's  own  ccu'rcspondeiuiN  Lmdv- 
hart's  captivating  M(!moirs  of  the  peerless  Scott,  now  in  eoni'.-c  of 
publication,  have  been  constructeil  upiui  the  basis  of  the  mighty 
minstrel's  own  letters.  And  it  is  upon  the  same  principle  that  the 
author  has  quoted  so  largely  from  the  letters  and  speeches  of  Joseph 
Brant,  and  several  of  his  distinguished  corn.'spondenls  ;  among  whom, 
the  reader  who  has  only  heard  of"  the  monster  Brant"  as  a  savay;e 
once  leading  the  Mohawks  abroad  upon  scalping  jiarties,  will  proha- 
bly  he  surprised  to  learn,  were  numbered  many  gentlemen  of  rank 
and  standing  in  Church  and  State,  Imlh  in  liiifiland  and  Aiin>rica. 

An  able  English  writer*  has  recently  opened  a  very  interesting 
discussion,  upon  the  great  advantages  of  thus  using  letters  and  ma- 
nuscripts  in  the  composition  of  history.  Spinikiiigof  the  maxim  that 
"  history  is  philosophy  teaching  by  example,"  he  remarks  : — "  In 
morals,  all  depends  upt)n  circumstances.  An  (Wiimple,  whether  real 
ot  fictitious,  can  teach  us  nothing,  if  it  contains  only  dry  fads. 
The  mischief  of  a  great  ninny  histories,  and  those  of  no  mean  ac- 
count, is,  that  they  are  quite  contented   with  giving  an  ugreeahlo 

♦  London  diiartcrly  Rt  view,  No.  csvi.— Art.  on  Upcott'a  Collection  of  Original 
Letters,  Munuscriptti,  aiui  Stiito  Pupcra. 


•1 


INTRODUCTION. 


XXVll 


1  search  of 
!o,  and  ne- 
ngs,  which 
,  tli;it  Ihey 
o  b(!  tnin- 
n  with  the 
irul  exactly 
at  the  ])a. 
tlieiii,  how. 
tlic  Appen- 

liic  author, 

possihic,  of 

ivn  stories. 

ill.  writ  ill!.', 

ill  adopts  it 

'Washiiiji- 

Eiijiland's 

th.i;;  plim, 

per,  one  of 

written  of 

ds,  ivS  coiii- 

('.     Lock- 

coiuvsc  of 

113  mi<rhty 

(;  Ihiit  the 

of  Joseph 

iTiir  whom, 

a  savngii 

ill  proha. 

II  of  rank 

Liiicrioa. 

itcrcstiiig 

and  ma. 

axiiii  that 

vs:— "III 

tlicr  real 

ry  fads. 

iican  nc- 

i^ncnhlo 

if  Original 


<< 


narration  of  naked  facts,  from  which  we  can  gather  nothing  beyond 
the  facts  theiiiselve.s.  To  the  chronicler,  the  murder  of  Thomas  A' 
Becket  is  tiic  murder  of  IJecket,  and  it  is  nothing  more.  To  what 
quarter,  then,  are  we  to  look  for  the  magic  by  which  we  ma}  \ke 
the  dry  bones  live  again  ?  Wo  answer,  unhesitatingly,  to  the  letters 
of  the  day,  if  there  he  any.  We  say  so,  not  because  tiiey  will  con- 
tain any  ehihorate  description  of  the  feelings,  ov  expose  of  the  views, 
of  the  age  to  which  they  belong,  but  because  they  must  be  written, 
to  a  great  extent,  in  the  spirit  of  the  age  in  which  their  writers  lived, 
'J'lie  events  of  the  dav — the  writers'  feelings  toward  their  neighbours, 
and  their  neighbours'  feelings  toward  them — their  comments  on  the 
ordiujiry  course  of  things  around  them  ;  these  are  precious  records 
fu-  idl  who  wish  to  study  mankind  and  morals  in  history  ;  for  these 
things,  and  tlicse  alone,  c;in  enable  us  fully  to  appreciate  the  tern- 
per  and  spirit  in  which  the  acts  commemorated  in  history  were  done. 
■■)<  *  *  *  j(  jj^  yyj.y  j,.,„,  jij.^f  j;,,„ip  historians  profess  to  use  letters, 
and  tliiit  some  have  actually  used  them  in  u  small  degree;  but,  con. 
sidering  their  great  value,  liiey  have  never  been  used  as  they  de- 
served ;  and,  ill  very  m;iny  c;ises,  tiieir  existence  seems  to  be  hardly 
known  to  historians  themselves."  It  is  in  accordance  with  these 
views,  that  letters  and  sjieeches  hiive  been  so  coi)iously  used  in  tliG 
present  work  ;  aUhoiigh  it  is  not  supposed  that  the  correspondence 
of  a  burly  (ihiiM'tain  ot"  the;  forest,  or  the  hliilf  partisan  olficers  of  a 
wilderness  border,  can  in  any  respect  be  compared  with  Cowper's 
polished  moilels  of  epistolary  writing,  or  with  tliose  of  Scott  or 
Ryroii.or  those  of  liiuly  Mary  W'orlley  .Moiitiigue,  of  I'eter  of  Blois 
or  John  ui'  8:ilishury.  'I'iiey  are  nevertheless  valuable  in  themselves, 
bolii  as  histoneal  ri'cords  and  as  illustrations  of  character.  Of 
the  speeches,  and  sketches  of  speeches,  embodied  in  this  work,  to- 
gether with  the'  niiri'iiliv(;s  given  of  the  occ.isions  which  called  them 
firlh,  it  may  be  added  that  they  are  all  memorials  of  a  pc^oplt.'. — onco 
a  iiohle  nice — nuiiierous  and  powerful — now  fast  disappearing  from 
the  lace  of  the  earth — a  beautiful  portion  of  the  earth — once  their 
own  !  Tiiese  memorials  it  was  one  (.f  the  chief  purposes  of  the  au- 
thor  to  giiiluu'  up  and  preserve. 

'I'lie  plan  of  the  work,  especially  of  the  first  and  larger  portion  of 
it,  iiiiiy  perli;i|)s  in  some  resiXMils  disii|)poiiit  the  reader,  though,  it  is 
lioped.  not  uiifavoiirahly.  I;  h:is  lieeii  the  object  of  the  author  to  ren- 
dcr  It  ii'iL  tuily  a  local,  liut,  to  a  certain  extent,  a  brief  g(«neral  his- 
tory  of  the  War  of  th(>  llevohilioii.  Tiius,  while  it  is  a  particular 
history,  ample  in  its  details,  of  the  belligerent  events  occurrimr  at 
the  west  ol  Albany,  tho  author  han  from  time  to  time  introduced 


I 


t  s 


0 
.1 


ill 


'■    \f\ 


1 1 


XXVIll 


INTKODUCTION. 


brief  sketches  of  contemporaneous  events  occurring  in  other  parts  of 
the  country.  By  this  means,  bird's-eye  gUmpses  liave  been  present, 
ed,  for  the  most  part  in  the  proper  order  of  time,  of  all  tlie  principal 
military  operations  of  the  whole  contest.  In  order,,  moreover,  to 
the  better  understanding  of  the  incipient  revolutionary  movements 
in  the  Mohawk  country,  (then  Tryon  County,)  a  rapid  view  is  given 
of  the  same  description  of  movements  elsewhere.  The  proceedings 
of  that  county  were,  of  course,  connected  witli,  ,ind  dependent  upon, 
those  of  New  England,  especially  of  Boston — the  head,  and  heart,  and 
soul  of  the  rebellion,  in  its  origin  and  its  earlier  stages.  Hence  a 
summary  review  of  the  measures  directly,  though  by  degrees,  lead- 
ing  to  the  revolt  of  the  Colonics,  has  not  been  deemed  out  of  place, 
in  its  proper  chronological  position.  \nd  as  all  the  Indian  history 
of  the  Revolutionary  war  at  the  north,  the  west,  and  the  south,  has 
been  written  out  in  full,  by  the  incidental  sketches  of  other  events 
and  campaigns  marking  the  contest,  the  work  may  be  considered  in 
the  three-fold  view  of  local,  general,  and  biographical ;  the  whole 
somewhat  relieved,  from  time  to  time,  if  not  enlivened,  by  individual 
narratives — talcs  of  captivity  and  suflbring — of  daring  adveniures 
and  bold  exploits. 

Several  weeks  after  the  preceding  pages  had  been  stereotyped, 
but  before  any  considerable  progress  had  been  made  in  printing  the 
body  of  the  work,  the  author  was  so  fortunate  as  to  obtain  a  largo 
accession  of  valuable  materials  from  General  Peter  Gansevooht, 
of  Albany,  embracing  the  extensive  correspondence  of  his  father, 
the  late  General  Gansevoort,  better  known  in  history  as  "  the  hero 
of  Fort  Stanwix."  These  papers,  embracing  tlio.x  captured  by  him 
from  the  British  General  St.  Legcr,  have  been  found  of  great  im- 
portance  in  the  progress  of  the  work,  and  will  add  materially  to  its 
completeness  and  its  value. 

A  few  words  respecting  the  embellishments  of  those  volinnes.  The 
frontispiece  of  each  volume  presents  an  elegantly  engraved  portrait 
of  the  brave  and  wary  JMohawk,  who  forms  the  princi[;al  biographi- 
cal  figure  of  the  work,  taken  at  dillerent  periods  of  his  life.  The 
Chief  sat  for  his  picture  several  times  in  England;  once,  at  the  re- 
qu(!st  of  Boswell,  in  1770,  but  to  what  artist  is  not  mentioniid. 
He  likewise  sat,  during  the  same  visit,  lo  the  celebrated  portrait  and 
historical  painter,  Gkohu];  iloMMiiY,  for  the  Earl  of  Warwick.  Ho 
was  again  painted  in  England,  in  1780,  for  the  Duke  of  Northumbor. 
land  ;  and  a  fourth  time,  during  the  same  visit,  in  order  to  presi^nt 
his  likeness  in  miniature  to  his  eldest  daughter.  Mis  last  sitting 
wus  to  tho  lute  Mr.  Ez«a  Ames  of  Albany,  at  the  recpicst  of  tlio 


^' 


INTRODUCTION. 


XXIX 


The 
tlio  ro- 
tionntl. 
[lit  tind 
V.  Ho 
itril)f'r- 
•nvsciit 
sittiri^T 

of  tho 


I 


I, 'J 


n 


late  James  Cakhvell,  Esq.  of  that  city.     This  was  abou      he  year 
1805,  and  the  likeness  is  pronounced  the  best  ever  taken  of  Captain 
Brant.     The  author's  valued  friend  Catlin  has  made  a  very  faith- 
ful copy  of  this  portrait,  which  has  been   beautifully  engraved  by 
Mr.   A.   Dick,    a  well-known    and    skilful    artist    of    New-York. 
This  picture,  as  latest  in  the  order  of  time,  will  be  found  at  the  head 
of  tlie  second  volume.       The  inscription  of    this  plate    is  a  jac 
simile  of  the  old  chief's  signature,  from  a  letter  written  by  him  to 
the  Duke  of  Northumberland   not  long  before  his  death.     The  au 
thor  has  another  picture  of  the  elder  Brant,  of  which  he  may  be 
pardoned  for  giving  some  account.     Being  at  Catskill,  in  the  Sum- 
mer of  1833,  the  autlior   discovered,  in  the  possession  of  his  friend, 
Mr.  Van  Bi:kgi;n,  some  odd  volumes  of  the  London  Magazine  of 
1770,  in  one  of  which  he  accidentally  found  an  engraving  of  Brant, 
from  the   portrait  taken  for  Boswell,  in  the  gala  costume  of  the 
Chief  as  he  appeared  at  Court.     The  countenance  of  this  picture, 
however,  was  dull,  and   comparatively  unmeaning.     On  his  visit  to 
Uppor  Canada,  in  September,  1836,  the  chieftain's  daughter,  Mrs. 
Kkkk,  showed  him  a  head  of  her  father  in  a  gold  locket,  which  was 
full  of  character  and  energy — with  an  eye  like  the  eagle's.     Having 
procuHKl  this  locket,  and  placed  it,  together  with  the  engraving  referred 
to,  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  N.  Rogkks,  that  eminent  artist  has  produced 
a  very  spirited  and   beautiful  picture,  which  was  painted  expressly 
to  bo  engraved  for  this  work.    Before  it  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  the 
artist,  however,  Mr.  Chai'man,  an   artist  of  New-York,  returning 
from  a  visit  to  England,  brought  with  him  a  superb  print  of  Brant, 
taken  from  the  Earl  of  Warwick's  picture  by  Romney.    As  this  print 
not  only  presents  more  of  the  figure  of  the  chief  than  either  of  the 
others,  and  possesses  withal  more  character  and  spirit,  it  has  been 
adopted  for  tho  work  in  lieu  of  that  painted  by  Mr.  Bocr.Ks,     The 
engraving  has   also  been  wc^ll  executed    by   Dick,  and  stands  in 
front  of  tlin  lirst  volume.     The  picture  by  Catlin  is  the  war-chief  of 
the  forest  in  the  full  maturity  of  years.     The  other  is  the  Indian  cour- 
tier  in  London.     This  first  volume  also  contains  a  linely  engraved 
portrait  of  (I(>n(Tal  (lanscvoort,  by  riMinuoMMi;.  from  a  portrait  by 
Stuart.     It  is  a  fine  specimen  of  the  gentleman  of  the  lievolutionu- 
ry  era. 

But  these  are  not  all  the  pictorial  illustrations.  In  the  completion 
of  the  life  of  Brant,  it  has  been  deemed  proper  to  add  some  account 
of  his  fiimily  sui)s('([uent  to  his  decease.  TIk;  law  of  ofTieiul  inherit- 
mice  among  the  Six  Nations  will  be  found  peculiar  to  that  people, 
the  descent  being  through  the  female  line.     Josepli  Brant  was  him- 


I 


'.'•I 


XXX 


INTHODUCTION. 


il 


;,! 


\ '  'I 


self  the  principal  War-chief  of  the  Six  Nations  ;  and  his  third  uife, 
who  at  liis  decease  was  left  a  young  widow,  was,  in  her  own  right, 
the  representative  of  the  sovereignty  of  the  Confederacy,  in  whom 
alone  was  vested  the  power  of  naming,  from  among  her  own  cliildren, 
or,  in  default  of  a  child  of  her  own,  from  the  next  of  kin,  a  principal 
civil  and  military  chief.  On  the  death  of  her  husband,  therefore, 
she  selected  as  his  successor  her  youngest  son,  John  Brant,  then  a 
lad  of  seven  years  old.  He  grew  up  a  noble  fellow,  both  in  courage 
and  character,  as  the  reader  will  ascertain  before  he  closes  tiie  se- 
cond volume.  During  the  author's  visit  to  the  Brant  House  in 
Upper  Canada,  he  saw  a  portrait  of  the  young  chief,  then  recently 
deceased,  which,  though  painted  by  a  country  artist,  and,  as  a  whole, 
a  very  bad  picture,  was  nevertheless  pronounced  by  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Kerr  to  be  very  correct,  so  far  as  the  figure  and  likeness  were  con. 
cerned.  Obtaining  this  portrait  from  Canada  last  Autumn,  it  was 
placed  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Hoxii:,  who  has  produced  the  excellent 
picture  which  has  been  well  engraved  by  Mr.  Paukku,  and  will  be 
found  in  tiie  second  volume.  As  the  young  chief  went  first  upon 
the  war-path  in  the  Niagara  campaigns  of  1812 — 15,  the  idea  of 
embodying  a  section  of  the  great  cataract  in  the  buck-ground  of  the 
picture  was  exceedingly  appropriate. 

As  the  name  of  tbe  celebrated  Red  .Tackct  appears  frequently  in 
the  second  volume,  a  likeness  of  him  has  been  addcil,  from  a  i)nint. 
ing  by  Wkir,  beautifully  engraved  by  Ha.tcu.  In  addition  to  all 
whicli  is  t!ie  finely  engraved  title-page,  designed,  engraved,  and 
preuentcd  to  tlic  author,  [)y  his   estimable    friend  Mr.  A.  Rawdox. 

In  addition  to  thrse  illustralic-ns,  another  has  been  added,  tbe 
character  of  wiiieli  is  striking  and  its  history  curious.  It  is  the 
sketch  of  a  scene  at  a  conference  with  the  Indians  at  BufTalo  Creek, 
in  the  year  1793,  held  by  Beverley  Randcdph,  General  BiMijamin 
Lincoln,  and  Colonel  Timothy  Pickering,  in  the  presence  of  a  num- 
ber of  the  Britisii  officers  then  stationed  upon  that  frontier.  Messrs. 
Randolph,  Lincoln,  and  Pickering  were  on  a  pacific  mission,  ac- 
companied, at  tiie  request  of  the  Indians,  by  a  number  of  Quakers. 
Th(3  sketch  of  that  conference  was  drawn  by  a  British  ofiieer,  Col. 
Pilkington,  and  taken  to  Europe.  In  1819  it  was  presented  to  an 
American  gentleman  of  (he  name  of  Henry,  at  Cibraltar,  and  by 
him  given  to  the  Massacliusetts  Historical  Society.  Tiie  sketch 
is  drawn  with  tlie  taste  and  science  of  a  master  of  tiu;  art;  liie 
grouping  is  fine,  and  tiie  likenesses  are  excellent.  As  the  history  of 
the  mission  of  those  gentleman  forms  an  interesting  chapter  in  tlio 


i 


;\t 


m 

m 
,1 


'h 


INTKODUCTION. 


XXXI 


is  third  wife, 
3r  own  right, 
cy,  in  whom 
)wn  children, 
.  a  jirincipal 
id,  tlierefore, 
5rant,  then  a 
1  in  courage 
loses  the  se- 
it  Hoiise  in 
en  recently 
as  a  whole, 
r.  and  Mrs. 
s  were  con. 
umn,  it  was 
K-  excellent 
and  will  be 
:  first  upon 
the  idea  of 
oiind  of  tile 

quently  in 
m  a  paint, 
tion  to  all 
aved,    and 

RaWI)()\. 

idded,  the 
It  is  the 

all)  Creek, 

Uenjaiiiin 

of  a  iiiiin. 

•    iMessis. 

"sioD,   ac- 

Quakers. 

icer,  Col. 

ted  to  an 

'»  and    hy 

he  sketch 
art;   (he 

lis  lory  of 

er  in  the 


present  work,  this  sketch  has  been  deemed  an  appropriate  accompa 
niment. 

In  addition  to  the  acknowledgments  already  made  in  the  preced- 
ing  pages,  the  author  is  under  obligations,  to  a   greater  or   less   ex- 
tent, to  many  other   individuals,  for   hints,  suggestions,  and  the  col- 
lection  of  materials.     Among  tin  ,~e  ho  takes  pleasure  in  naniino-  the 
Hon.  Lrwis  Cass,  late  Secretary  of  War,  and  now  Envoy  Extraor 
dinary  and    Minister  Plenipotentiary   near  the  Court  of  St.  Cloud  , 
General  Dix,  Secretary  of  the  State  of  New-York,  and  Mr.  Akchi- 
HALu  Camphkll,   his  deputy;    General   Mokgax    Lewis;     Major 
J.\.iir,s  CocuKAX,  of  Oswego,  and  also  his  Lady,  who  was  the  young, 
est  daughter  of  General  Schuyler;   Major  William  Poi-ham,  who 
was  an  aid-de-caaip  to  General   James  Clinton  ;   Samui:l   S.  Lusir, 
Esq..  and  S.  Dk  Witt  Bloodgood,  Esq.  of  Albany  ;   Jami:s  D.  Hi:- 
MIS,  Esq.  of  Canandaigua;    Lauim'.x  Ford  and  Gkougk  H.  Fiiiyrr.R, 
Esquires,  of  Little  Falls;   (tili;s  F.  Yates,   Esq.  of  Schenectady;' 
William    Forsyth,  Esq.   of  Quebec;  and   the   Rev.    Mr.    Lape, 
formerly  of  Johnstown,  and  now  of  Athens,  N.  Y. 

With  thesepreliminary  explanations,  the  work  is  committed  to  the 
public,  in  the  belief  that,  although  it  might,  of  course,  have  been 
better  executed  by  an  abler  hand  with  a  mind  less  distracted  by 
other  pressing  and  important  duties,  it  will,  nevertheless,  be  founda 
substantial  addition  to  the  stock  of  American  history. 


WILLIAM  L.  STONE. 


New-York,  March,  1838. 


^;     I  ■' 


i'i  i 


ft 


'     :i:i 


"    << 


«  f 


(,    I 


^i;^ 


I . 


'I    'i^ 


4 


.■>* 


I 


r 


i      i 


«'4 

I 


'J 

4 


LIFE  OF  BRANT. 


hi. 


'I 


'III 


i\ 


\u 


LIFE 


OP 


JOSEPH  BRANT— THAYENDANEGEA,  &c. 


CHAPTER  I. 


Biitli  nn,1  pnrpntage — Discusisioii  oi  'hoi'  jbfs  cnst  upon  his  origin — Visit  of  Mo- 
hiiuU  cliiL'l-i  to  tliioon  Anne — Km.i.  n  nf  Branl's  dosctMit  iVom  oni- of  those — 
r>iiri'rt!*ioii  iVoin  till-  main  snhjft't,  umi  i.vtiucts  tVoin  thi;  private  iind  otVunil  jour- 
M. lis  of  Sir  Williiiiii  JuhiiRoii — C'onnexion  hetween  Sir  \N  illiain  uit-l  the  t'.iiiiilyor 
Brant — Incidental  ict'erenci's  to  the  old  FriMich  Wiir — llliHlr.itiona  ol'  liidinn  pro- 
eeedin';!",  Hpeeches,  &i', —  Briinl's  p.'irenlai;c  siitisi'iicldiilv  istulilisheil — 'I'iiki'!* 
the  lii'lil  in  till'  t'anipiili.'n  o!'  l.iike  Cieor^e  (I7;'i").) — 1-*  eiiiitned  at  the  ciniipii  st 
of  Ni.i^ara  (I?")'.!.)  —  i'lllorl^^  of  Sir  William  Johiinoii  In  eivili/.  •  ih  •  Indrins — lira  lit 
is  sent,  with  other  Indian  youth-",  to  the  Moor  (.'hinily  School,  iit  l.eiianon — Leavi  9 
sihuol  -Anecdotic  —  U  t'ni;iii;ed  on  puhllc  linsiness  l»y  Sir  W'illiuin  —  Ah  iin  inter- 
i)i{'ler  lor  the  Missionaries — Anain  takes  the  fi  ild,  in  lln'  wars  against  I'onli  ic — 
liiteiidMl  massacre  III  Detroil — I'lliiniile  overthrow  of  I'onliiic — l''ir>-f  iiiiiiiii'^e  df 

IS. ant, —  l''.iileitaiiis  tilt!  Missionaries — Aniiin  eniploved  on  piihlic  liiHni  s lliatli 

lit"  Ins  wife — I'Li^a'.;es  with  Mr,  Stewart  in  Iran-laiin.:  ilv  Scnplnres — Manies 
uuain — llus  serious  religions  impressions — Selects  u  bosom  friend  and  contiilant, 
iilier  the  Indian  instuiu — Uoutli  of  Iiih  iViund — Mm  {{rii'f,  and  rufusal  lu  chouso 
nnolher  iViend. 

'I'liK  birtli  niid  pareiitnjre  of  Joskph  Hk ant,  or,  more  cor- 
rectly, ol''l'MAVi:.\i)ANr.iii'.A — lor sticliwas  his  iHiul  imiiu!— luivo 
))i!oii  iiivolv(>d  ill  niict'rtiiiiity,  I'y  the  coiitlictiiiof  accounts  that 
have  bt'cii  piibhsliod  coiiccniins;  him.  Tht;  IiicUidis  have  no 
herald's  colleife  in  whieli  the  hneai^e  of  their  ureal  men  can  bo 
traced,  or  parish  registers  of  marriaj;es  and  births,  by  which  a 
son  can  ascertain  his  jjatcriiity.  Ancestral  y;lory  and  shamo 
arc  thendbre  only  rellcetcd  darkly  throno;li  the  dim  tu'iliirht  o( 
tradition.  Hy  some  jmtliors,  'riiayeiidaiico-ca  has  been  called 
a  hairiirccil.  Hy  oiIkm's  he  has  l)een  pronoiineed  a  SliawaiitJsu 
by  partiiitajre,  and  only  a  Mohawk  by  adoption.  Some  histo- 
rians have  spuliou  of  hitn  as  n  son  of  8ir  William  Jolmson  ;* 

•  Sever;il  Miiihors  inivi-  siiffsicntcd  tlinl  nritni  was  the  son  of  the  Hnronci.  Drnkc, 
in  \w  iiset'iil  (<<)inpiliili(in,  "The  Hook  of  the  IndiiiiiK,"  »U\'.vh  tliiil  lii<  had  hrini  lu 
infoniied  hy  no  les<  an  aiiilmriiy  than  .Inred  Sp'irks.  |),,,k('  him«rlf  ealN  him  nn 
0«i/H(/(/i^(»  ol  llie  Mn/tiiwk'lnhv  \  'l"he  NiunitieatuMi  o|  the  imme  Tliin/riiilniir^ni, 
cnniioi  he  Will  cvpiVfiKCil  in  llnulixli.  Tliv  iniiaiiin){  of  tlui  word  \»,  two-otirkt. 
af.U'JuJ.liJtinJ.lu;;ift/nr,  JcuDiiny  siri-iitfth. 


W"^  I 


2 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1742 


f 


while  others  aijaia  have  allowed  him  the  honour  of  Mohawk 
blood,  but  denied  that  he  was  descended  from  a  chief. 

Nearly  twenty  years  ago,  a  brief  account  of  the  life  and  cha- 
racter of  this  remarkable  man  was  published  in  the  Christian 
Recorder,  at  Kinirston,  in  the  province  of  Upper  Canada.  In 
that  memoir  it  was  stated  that  Thayendiineijea  was  born  on  the 
hanks  of  the  Ohio,  whither  his  parents  had  emiirrated  from  the 
valley  of  the  Mohawk,  and  where  they  are  said  to  have 
sojourned  several  years.  "  His  mother  at  leuirth  returned  with 
"  two  children — Mary,  who  lived  witli  Sir  William  .Tohnson,  and 
"Joseph,  the  subject  of  this  memoir.  Nothinu:  was  known  of 
"  Brant's  father  amonfr  the  Mohawks.  Soon  after  the  return  of 
"thiii  family  to  Canajoharie,  the  motlun'  married  a  respectable 
"Indian  called  Carrihofro,  or  News-Carrier,  whose  (.'hristian 
"name  was  Barnet  or  Bernard;  but,  by  way  of  contraction,  lu; 
"  went  by  the  name  of  Brant."  Hence  it  is  argued  that  the  lad, 
who  was  in  future  to  become  not  only  a  distinguished  war-chief, 
but  a  statesman,  jmd  the  associate  of  the  chivalry  and  nobility 
of  liUgland,  having  thus  b*  mi  introduced  into  the  funily  of  that 
name,  was  lirsl  known  by  the  distinctive  appellation  of 
"  Iir(tii(\<{  Joscph^^^  and  in  })rocess  of  time,  by  inversion,  "  Jo- 
Slil'H  BuAN'r.'* 

There  is  an  approximation  to  the  truth  in  this  relation,  and 
it  is  in  part  sustained  by  the  existing  limiily  tradition.  Tlu^ 
facts  are  these? :  the  Six  Nations  had  carried  ihtir  arms  far  to 
the  west  aiul  south,  and  the  whole  country  soiuh  of  the  lakes 
was  claimed  by  them,  to  a  certain  extent  of  sui^Mvisory  juris, 
diction,  by  the  right  of  coucpiest.  To  the  Ohio  and  Sandusky 
coinitry  tiny  asserted  a  stronger  an<l  more  peremptory  claim, 
extending  to  the  riirlit  o(  soil — at  least  on  the  lake  shore  as  far 
ns  Pres(]ne  Isle,  l-'rom  their  associations  in  that  country,  it 
had  become;  usual  among  the  Six  Nations,  e.sp»<cially  the  Mo- 
hawk's, to  make  temporary  removals  to  the  west  duriufr  the 
hunting  seasons,  and  one  or  more  of  those  fiunilies  would  licj- 

♦  ('Ini-linn  Il(>i|i«t(>r,  IHI't,  Vol.  I.  No.  1,  piihliHlKd  lit  Kin<isliin,  (I'  (',)  nnd 
Cilitrd  liv  llic  Hi>.  i>ii(  litr,  now  I  lie  I  Inniiuriilili' ami  Vi'in'iiililc  ArfliclcHnm  Miiiclimi, 
of  Toniiifo.  'Y\w  hKi'IcIiu*  k I'lrrt'd  to  wiri>  writli'ii  liy  Or.  Slnuliuii,  iiimn  infiir- 
iniilion  rcfcivcd  liy  lilm  iinmv  yiiir«  In  liirp,  ('oin  tin-  Rev.  Pr,  Sti'wiirt,  lurmiily  u 
nii'''<itmiiry  III  till)  Ntulmwk  Vullcy,  mid  f  tlur  of  tli<*  pri'vciit  Aiclulciicoii  ISlrvvurt 
of  KingNtuii. 


L 


[1742 

•f  IMohawk 
if. 

0  nnd  cha- 
3  Cliristian 
iiuidiu  III 
torn  on  tlio 
d  Jromtlie 

1  fo  have 
iriK'd  with 
tiison,  and 

known  of 
:!  return  of 
ospoctahle 
Christian 
notion,  lie 
at  the  lad^ 
war-rhiof, 
<i  nohility 
ily  of  that 
lation    of 
ion,  "  Jo- 
ion,  and 
'II.     'F'ho 
ins  far  lo 
(Ik'  lai<t's 
ry  jnri.s. 
MinhisKy 
■y  claim, 
IT  as  far 
iiilry,  it 
li.>   i\Io- 
iii!,'-  tho 
nld   fio. 

•'.)   lui(i 
StIllclMlll, 

|Min  iiiliii- 
iriiiiily  u 


1742.] 


BIRTH    AXn    PARENTAGE. 


qiiontly  remain  abioad,  among  the  ^Miamis,  the  Ilurons,  or 
Wyandots,  for  a  longer  or  siiorter  period,  as  they  chose.  One 
of  the  consequences  of  this  intercommunication,  was  the  nu- 
merous family  alliances  existing  between  the  Six  Nations  and 
others  at  the  west — the  Wyaiidots,  in  paiticular. 

It  was  while  his  parents  were  abroad  upon  one  of  those 
hunting  excursions,  that  TImyendanegca  was  born,  in  the  year 
1742,  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio.  The  home  of  his  family  was 
Qt  the  Canajohariu  Castle — the  central  of  the  three  Costles  of 
the  Mohawks,  in  their  native  valley.  His  father's  name  was 
Tehowaghweug.iraghkwm,  a  full-blooded  Mohawk  of  the  Wolf 
Tribe.*  TliayendiUiegea  was  very  young  when  his  father 
died.  His  mother  married  a  second  time  to  a  Mohawk  ;  and 
tlu!  family  tradition  at  pres(;nt,  is,  that  the  name  of  IJraiit  was 
acquired  in  the  manner  assumed  by  the  ])ublication  already 
cited.  There  is  reason  to  doubt  the  accuracy  of  this  tratlition, 
however,  since  it  is  believed  that  there  was  tm  Indian  family, 
of  some  consecpieuce  and  extent,  bearinir  the  I'lnglish  nanu!  of 
IJiiUit.  liiileed,  from  the  extracts  jiresently  lo  be  introduced 
from  tho  recently  discovered  mamiscripls  of  Sir  AVilliam  John- 
son, it  ui.iy  ln'  ([uestioned  whether  Tehowaghwengaraghkwin, 
and  an  old  cliicf,  called  by  Sir  William  sometimes  Brant,  and 
at  others  Mekus  IJraiil,  wci'   not  one  and  {\w  same  j)ersoii. 

The  denial  that  he  was  a  born  chief,  is  likewise  belicn-ed  to 
be  incorrect.  It  is  very  true,  that  among  the  Six  Nations, 
chieftainship  was  not  necessarily  obtained  by  inheritance.  Hut 
in  regiu'd  to  Tnayendiinegea,  there  is  no  doubt  that  he  was  of 
noble  bl')od.  Tlit!  London  .Magaziiu!  for  July,  177(),  contains 
u  sketch  of  him,  probably  furnished  by  IJoswell,  with  whom  ho 
was  intimate  during  his  first  visit  to  I'iiigland  in  177.'3 — 70. 
In  that  necounl  it  is  afHrmed  as  a  fiict  without  (juesiion,  that 
he  was  tin-  grandsnii  of  one  of  the  live  sachems  who  visited 
Mnglaiul,  and  excited  so  much  iittenlion  in  the  llrilish  ciipilal, 
in  ITll),  during  the  reign  of  Uueen  Anne.  Of  those  chiels, 
two  were  oi'  the  ]Muhhekaneew,  or   River  Indiiuis,  and  three 

♦  I'-iiuli  of  tlin  orit;iiiiil  I-'iv-o  Nutioim  wuh  divuiod  into  tliroo  trilx's— lliii  Tortoise, 
till'  iti'ur,  Mini  lliii  Wolf.  'I'lm  huIij.  cl  uf  ilii'  pivsoiil  mt'iuiiir  wii*  of  tlin  liillor.  Ac- 
<'iirtliiis;to  n.iviij  fimrli,  ii  'riKcirnra,  who  Immviiitcii  ii  triicf  rpipi'c(inj;tli(i  liifltory 
of  til"  aiii'ii'iit  I'lvc  .Niilioiii,  (In;  liuvM  of  tln'  i  (iniiMlcralion  irf]iiirnl  tliut  llio  Onomift* 
gan  hhoiiM  provitlo  lliu  ivuig,  Dint  tho  Mo'mwka     iho     W«r-Cliicf. 


f 


4 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1742. 


III'! 


were  Mohawks — one  of  whom  was  chief  of  ihe  Cannjoharie 
clan.*  Thnyondaiieijea  was  of  tlie  latter  clan  ;  and  as  there  is 
reason  to  l)elieve  that  his  father  was  a  sachem,  there  can  he 
little  douht  of  the  correctiiess  of  the  London  pnhlication,  in 
claiming'  for  him  direct  descent  from  the  Canajoharie  chief  who 
visited  the  Britisli  conrt  at  tlie  time  above  mentidni^d.  Unl 
there  is  other  evidence  to  sustain  the  assumption.  In  the  IJic 
of  the  Ih'st  President  Wlieelock,  by  the  Rev.  Messrs.  M'Clurc 
and  Parish,  it  is  asserted  that  the  father  of  Joseph  Hrant  "  was 
"sachem  of  the  iMohawks,  after  the  death  of  the  famous  King 
*■  Hcndrick."  Tiie  intimacy  for  a  lony  tiuic  existing  between 
the  liuuiiy  of  Brant  and  the  "Wheelocks,  father  and  sons,  ren- 
ders this  antiiOiitV;  in  the  absence  of  unwritit.Mi  testimony  still 
more  authentic,  very  good  ;  and  as  IT-  :',;h-ii.k  fi'll  in  1755.  when 
Thayendaneti'ca  was  thirteen  years  of  ayf,  the  fradi/ioii  of  the 
early  ileath  ot'his  father,  and  bis  coiise(|uent  assumjition  of  a 
new  name,  is  esseutiidly  weakened.  Mrs.  (Jraut,  of  IjMguan, 
who  in  early  life  was  a  resident  of  Albany,  and  intimately  ac- 
(|uainted  with  the  douu!stic  rek'itions  of  Sir  WilHam  Jolmsou, 
speaivs  of  the  sister  of  young  'rhayeiidaneg(;a,  who  was  inti- 
mately associated  in  the  I'amUy  of  the  Baronet,  as  "the  daugh- 
ter oi  a  sachem."! 

In  the  miuniscript  diary  of  Sir  William  Johnson,  just  referred 
to,  and  of  which  more  particular  mention  has  been  nuide  in  the 
Introduction,  the  Baronet  (>tten  had  occasion  to  spetdv  of  Brant, 
of  ('anajoharie.     SomctiiiKis   he  was  cidled    '-Nickus   Brant,'' 

•  TlicRo  live  siicliL'tns,  or  Indiuu  liiiii:!',  u»  tliuy  were  ciillril,  wric  \u\i']\  to  Imijj 
land  hy  f 'oloiicl  Scliuvlcr.  "^I'liiii' arrival  in  T,iiri(liiii  cri'iitrd  u  nri'iil  stiiMiilinii,  not 
(iidy  ill  till'  I'lipilul,  l)iit  tliroii:ili()iit  liii'  kiiiL^doin.  'I'lu'  iiopuliici'  (iilliiwcd  ihrrn 
wliL'rt'Vcr  llii'y  went.     'I'ln'  Cnuil  wiis  iit  tliiit  Innc  in  ninnniinu;  I'nr  llu'  driilli  ol'  ilii! 

I'riMi t'  l>('nin;ul;,  iind  tlii'  cliiff-  \vr\f  drrssed  in  liliu  k  nnd('r-(  lullii  s,  al'ii  r  llic  l'',ri-. 

illisli  inuiMU'r  ;  lint,  nisli'iid  of  a  Idiidtit,  tln'V  hud  latli  a  s('ai|(|.in;;rain  iluili  n'an. 
til',  cd^cd  uilli  'j,iil  I,  tlirown  over  idl  llicir  ullicr  rlollirs,  Tlii.!  dress  w  as  diri'tlrd  liy 
the  dri'ssi'rs  ol'lln'  iiiay-linnsc,  and  uivcn  liv  llif  tluri  n,  A  nnirc  llrin  nrihnarv  si> 
li'ninily  nttcndcil  llic  aniliriH'i'  thcv  had  dl'  her  MMH"<tv.  'I'hey  were  ('(inihicli  d  lo 
St.  .laniesV  in  two  ciiai  ln's  liy  Sir  ( 'harh's  ( 'nit  ril,  and  inlrodne^  d  tn  Ihe  iiiyid  pre* 
penee  hv  thi'  Hnke  ol'  Shrewslinry,  ill  11  liiird  Chanilieii.iin.  (^'nnlli's  llistdrv.] 
<  lldiiiixnii  lias  preserved  llie  speerli  deliveied  hy  iheni  on  Ihe  (leeaMim,  and  scm  rid 
lii<lorianx  record  the  \isit,  Sir  llichard  Slei  1  niiiilnpiiu  ihe'c  ih  t  C-i  in  tlie  'I'allei  (i> 
May  n,  1710.  They  wero  nlso  imule  the  snliject  (if  u  nnnibtr  of  llic  Spcclulor,  h} 
Addi.snn. 

t  ".MeimiiiB  of  an  Aiiu'rican  Lady,"  dinp.  x.xxix. 


i 


[1742. 

I^nnnjoharie 
]  as  there  is 
lere  cnii  he 
jHcatioii,  ill 
e  chief  who 
oncd.  IJiit 
III  the  Lilc 
IS.  M'Clme 
5rant  "  was 
nioiis  King 
iijT  lictweeu 
I  sons,  reii- 
tiiiioiiy  still 
1755.  when 
ilinii  of  the 
nptioii  ot'  a 
:)!'  litiiTii'an, 
iiuateiy  nc- 
\n  Jolinsoii, 
)  was  iiiti- 
ihe  dauoh- 

ist  rofl^ircd 

adt>  ill  the 

oi  IJraiit, 

IS   Hratit," 

tlll<"!l  III  Mni^ 

•MiMiitJon,  ntu 

illiiwcil   ilii'ni 

(li'Mlh  of  tin: 

iiOi  1  llic  lln.. 

ill  (lull)  ll'.'llj- 

.■IS  (liii'ili'd  by 
iirdiiiiiiv  ^•l.■. 
I'liiiiliuli  il  Id 
llic  my:. I  |ir('. 
Il'-    llisldiV.l 

iiiiij   SIM  nil 

l!ir  Tillli'i   u\ 

SiHClulor,  li} 


1742.] 


SIR  AV.  Johnson's   diarv. 


I 


and  at  others  ArourhT/nda^-ha — but  most  frequently  "  Old 
Niekiis,"  or  '•  Old  Brant."'  As  these  ])rivate  journals  of  Sir 
\Villiaiii  have  never  seen  the  lit,dit,  and  an^  curious  in  them- 
selves, a  few  extracts  will  prohahly  not  he  nnaciM'ptahh^  to  the 
ro'ider— serviiiii",  as  they  will,  not  only  to  illustrate  the  present 
liistory,  hut  also  the  character  of  the  intercourse  and  relations 
existing'  between  the  l-iUirhsh  and  the  Indians,  under  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  Indian  department  by  tliat  distinjjuished 
olficer.  A  more  just  idea  of  the  character  and  importance  of 
the  chieftain's  family,  may  likewise  be  derived  from  a  perusal 
ol  the  extracts  proposiid  to  be  :>;iven,  exhibiting,  as  they  do, 
sinnethin(i:  of  thr;  intercourse  maintained  between  the  fai  lilies 
ol  the  white  and  the  red  warriors. 

It  must  bo  borne  in  mind,  that  the  diary  to  which  we  are 
refe;"rin<r,  was  written  in  llie  years  1757,  '58,  and  '50 — in  the 
midst  of  the  old  b'rench  war,  endmiif  by  the  conquest  of  Canada, 
in  17();}.  An  expcHlitiou  a<rainst  that  colony,  under  the  con- 
duct of  Lord  Loudoun,  jirojected  early  in  the  former  year,  had 
been  abandoned  in  C()iise([ueiice  of  his  Lordship's  inability  to 
briiiu:  a  sullicient  number  of  troops  into  the  field,  to  meet  the 
licavy  reinforcements  sent  over  that  year  from  France.  Mean- 
time the  Marquis  do  Montcalm,  with  an  army  of  OOOO  men,  had 
advanced  throus^h  Lake  George,  and  carried  Fort  William 
Henry — the  siege  of  which  was  followed  by  a  frightful  massa- 
cre— and  was  then  threateiiing  Fort  I'ldward  .iiid  the  settle- 
ments on  the  Hudson;  while  at  the  west,  the  French,  witli 
their  Indian  allies,  were  continually  threatening  an  inv^asion  by 
tlie  way  of  Oswego  ;  and  by  their  scouts  .md  scalping  parties, 
were  vexing  the  German  settlements  on  tlie  Upper  Mohawk, 
and  continually  harassing  the  Six  Nations — or  Iroipiois — ever 
the  objects  of  French  hostility.  In  this  state  of  things,  it 
required  the  utmost  activity  on  the  part  of  Sir  William  John- 
son, his  odlcers  and  Indian  allies,  to  keep  themselves  well  in- 
torined  as  to  the  actual  or  intended  movements  of  their  subtle 
onemi(!s.  There  was  therefore  constant  employment,  until  the 
close  of  the  year,  for  Indian  scouts  and  messengers,  throughout 
the  whole  wilderness  country  from  Lake  ( Miamplain  to  Niagara, 
and  I''ort  l)u  (.-iuesnc,  on  the  Ohio.  With  this  explanation  wo 
jToceed  to  the  diary  : 


Mtr.    01-'    BRANT. 


[1742. 


i: 


I 

'I' 


■ilif 


"  1757. — Nov.  4.  Canadiorha,  alias  Nickiis  Brant's  son,  wlio 
was  in  quest  alter  l)e  Conoone  as  liir  as  Oneida,  cauie  here 
(Fort  Johnson),  and  said  lie  in([uired  what  news  was  stirrinji; 
among  the  Oneidas.  One  ot"  the  Siiclienis  told  him  tlie  same 
piece  of  news  0<ra<)hte  brought  some  days  since,  about  the 
French  intending  to  stop  the  powder  from  the  Six  Nations. — 
buildin<r  a  fort  near  C'hennessio,  (fcc-  tliat  it  made  a  o-reat 
noise  among  the  nations,  and  gave  them  uneasiness  ;  where- 
fore they  M^erc  assembling  often  at  Cheunessio,  and  keeping 
(holding)  often  great  councils  among  themselves  how  to  act  in 
this  alfair  of  last  moment,  lie  further  was  told  at  Oneida,  that 
but  two  days  ago  the  Six  Nations  received  a  message  from  the 
Twightwees  (Miamies),  letting  their  brethren  of  the  Six  Nations 
know  that  they  had  heard  of  the  insolent  attemj)t  of  the  French, 
of  destroying  the  Six  Nations ;  and  that  after  the  many  provo- 
cations the  French  gave  tiiem,  in  stirring  them  up  to  war 
against  the  English,  dec.  Xlniy  were  now  resolved  to  turn  the 
hatchet  against  the  French,  a)id  resolved  to  pass  the  Six  Na- 
tions' country  in  tiieir  way  to  war.  They  (expected  not  to  bo 
delayed,  but  to  be  immcdiiitely  joined  by  the  warriors  of  the 
Six  Nations,  and  to  proceed  toward  Canada.  He  also  said  he 
heard  tiie  foreign  (distant)  nations  complain  very  much  for 
want  of  trade  with  the  Englisii ;  and  Tahaddy,  a  Chemmdidie 
chief,  said  that  he  was  stoi)ped  by  the  French  to  sell  his  fur  at 
Cataraghqui,  and  that  he  got  not  the  half  quantity  of  goods 
that  he  could  (have)  got  from  the  English,  and  that  he  intended 
to  keep  his  furs  for  the  future,  and  iii  the  Spring  to  go  with 
them  to  Albany,  and  at  the  same  time  to  intercede  with  Sir 
William  in  behall  of  all  the  western  nations,  to  grant  them  ii 
trade  again — and  further  Canadiorha  said  not." 

In  the  next  extract  it  will  be  seen  that  Sir  William  speaks  ot 
Brant  as  a  "sachem."  Of  course  it  could  be  none  other  than 
the  elder,  or  "  Old  Brauf,"  at  the  time  ;  as  Joseph  was  not 
then  more  than  sixteen  years  old. 

»  1758— i4/)r// lo/Zi.  Sir  AV  illiani  set  out  for  Cunajoharie, 
and  took  with  him  (]!aptuins  Johnson,"  Fonda,  and  Jacobus 

*  Guy  Joltnson,  his  Boii'iii-law, 


I 


[1742. 

lilt's  son,  who 

a,  cuine  here 

was  stirrinji; 

liiu  the  same 

L',  about  the 

:   Nations. — 

iiade  a  sfrerit 

less  ;  whorc- 

ind  keeping 

low  to  act  in 

Oneida,  that 

i<;e  Ironi  the 

Six  Nations 

the  French, 

nany  provo- 

np  to  war 

to  turn  the 

the  Six  Na- 

ed  not  to  ho 

riors  of  tlie 

ilso  said  he 

y  much  for 

lenundidie 

I  liis  fur  at 

ty  of  (roods 

le  intended 

to  go  with 

with  Sir 

mt  them  a 

1  speaks  of 
3ther  thaa 
was  not 

najoliarie, 
Jacobus 


1742.] 


SIR  WM.  Johnson's  diary. 


Clement,  in  order  to  settle  some  matters  with  the  Indians  of 
that  castle.     Me  arrived  that  night.* 

"  Airril  lO/Zi.  He  delivered  a  string  of  wampum  to  Brant 
and  Paulus,  two  sachems,  desiring  them  to  call  all  llieir  people 
out  of  the  woods  to  attend  a  meeting  lie  proposed  the  next  day 
with  tlKun,  at  which  lie  s\\^...d  let  them  know  General  Aber- 
crombie's  pleasure,  and  his  own  inclination  and  advice — also 
what  i)asscd  between  him  and  the  several  nations,  who  of  late 
had  had  several  meetings  with  liim." 

Preparaiions  were  now  making  for  a  more  formidable  and 
vigorous  campaign,  under  General  Abcrcrombie,  who  had  suc- 
ceeded Lord  Loudoun.  His  object  was  an  attack  upon  Ticon- 
deroga,  and,  if  successful,  a  d'-scent  upon  Crown  Point  and 
Montreal.  The  French  in  Canada  were  of  course  making 
corresponding  exertions  to  rej)el  the  expected  invasion.  With 
a  view  of  creating  a  diversion,  by  annoying  the  colony  of  New- 
York  from  another  (piartcr,  tliey  were  said  to  be  preparing  to 
invade  the  Mohawk  Valley,  by  the  way  of  Oswego  and  'Mirt 
Stanwix.  A  party  of  their  Indians  had  made  a  bold  irruption, 
toward  the  close  of  April,  upon  Uurnetslield,  on  the  south  side 
of  the  Mohawk,  and  destroyed  the  entire  settlement — inassacre- 
ing  men,  women,  and  children — thirty-three  in  numl)er — being 
the  Avhole  population  save  two  persons.  'IMiere  had  likewise 
been  outrages  at  the  (Jerman  Flatis,  where  several  Indians  had 
been  killed  l)y  the  inhid)itants.  'IMie  militia  were  promptly 
ordered  into  the  Held,  to  rendezvous  at  Canajoharie,  whither  Sir 
William  repaired  on  tiio  4th  of  May,  to  lead  them  against  the 
enemy — reported  on  the  same  day  to  be  in  Ibrce  at  the  great 
carrying  place  (Fort  Stanwix.) 

Mt>aiilim(>  it  was  well  known  tliat  the  French  had  left  no 
means  untried,  to  seduce  the  tive  westernmost  tribes  of  the  Six 
Nations  from  tlunr  allegiance  to  the  I'iUglish.  Tiw'y  had  long 
had  their  .lesuit  priests  among  the  Oneidas.  Onondagas,  &o  ; 
and  a  variety  of  circumstances  hud  occurred  to  induce  the  Mo- 
hawks to  distrust  their  brethren  of  the  other  tribes.  Under 
the.se  circumstances,  Sir  William  received  the  invitation  thus 
noted  in  his  diary  — 

*  Thifl  entry  is  not  in  ho  hand-wriUngof  Sir  Wiiliani,  but  of  a  certain  "  P.  W." 
who  was  his  private  seai  tary. 

6 


P 


8 


LIFE    OF    nr.AXT. 


[1742. 


"  April  Ath.  Sir  Williniu  liavino;  had  nn  invitation  froin 
the  Six  Nations  to  attend  a  grand  meeting  to  be  held  at  Onon- 
daga within  a  few  days  hence,  where  he  intends  to  proceed,  in 
case  the  hvst  alarm  shonld  prove  gronndless." 

Tile  Baronet  arrived  at  Canajoliarie  hi  the  evening,  and  at- 
tended a  dance  ot'tlie  yonng  warriors,  liaving  the  scalp  of  one 
of  the  hostile  Indians  engaged  in  the  recent  irruption,  who  had 
been  killed  at  the  German  Flatts.  He  is  thus  spoken  of  hi  the 
diary — in  the  hand-writing  of  Sir  "William's  secretary. 

"The  body  of  Otqueandageghte,  an  Onondaga  warrior,  who 
lived  for  some  years  at  'Swegachy,  and  formerly  a  mate  of  Sir 
Wilham's,  was  lound.  His  name  was  engraved  on  the  handle 
(of  iiis  knife),  and  how  often  he  had  been  to  war,  together  with 
this  inscription — '  Ofqiicdiff/o^css'h/c  Ic  Cumcrd  dc  JfaiisonP'' 

Sir  William  was  highly  respected  by  the  Six  Nations,  and 
by  the  JMohawks  in  particular  was  greatly  beloved.  This  af- 
fection was  not  only  manifested  by  their  actions,  but  often  in 
their  speeches,  at  their  councils,  and  in  their  concern  for  his 
welfare  when  sick,  and  lor  his  salely  when  in  the  lield.*  Such 
being  their  leelings  toward  the  IJaronet,  they  were  relucta' i, 
under  existing  circumstances,  to  allow  bini  to  place  himself  in 
the  power  of  the  Iiuhans  about  to  assemble  at  the  Great  Coun- 
cil Fire  at  Onond.-iga.  They  were  likewise  apprehensive  that 
he  might  incur  danger  from  some  of  the  scalping  })arlies  of  the 
French.  These  explanations  will  render  the  I'ol lowing  extracts 
from  the  diary  intelligible  : — 

"  May  iSth.  Sir  William  having  no  further  accounts  of  the 
enemy's  appearance,  sent  a  scout  of  two  iVIohawks,  two  Cana- 
joharies,  and  a  white  man,  to  go  as  far  as  Wood  Creek  and  the 
Oneida  Lake,  in  order  to  obtain  the  certainty  of  the  alarm. 


♦  To  tills  point,  nt  the  close  of  a  coiiiu-il,  Sir  Wiilinm  says — "  When  I  drank  to 
Ihom  at  parting,  they  in  return  liranii  my  health,  and  liianked  God  I  liad  recovrred 
my  lute  illness.  They  then  all  said  that  it  was  happy  T  did  not  die  then  ;  for,  said 
lliey,  '  had  you  died,  wo  and  tlie  I'lnglish  would  get  hy  the  ears  very  soon,  we  see  ; 
nnd  we  fear  it  will  he  tiie  ease  when  you  die  or  leave  us.'  "  Again,  at  another  eoun- 
cil  the  ehiefs  commenced  their  speech: — 

"  niioTiirit,  VVe  are  extremely  glad  to  sen  you  so  well  recovered  of  your  lair  very 
dangerous  illness,  and  thank  the  (Jreat  Spirit  ahovo  for  it.  TTad  you  heen  taken 
away  from  us  that  time,  our  case  would  have  heen  melancholy,  and  our  situation 
e.xlreinely  precarious.    It  will  1)0  so,  wc  fear,  wlicnover  wo  htsv  you." 

Diary,  .Tan."  11—10,  17.'>8, 


[1742. 

itation  from 
:'ld  at  Onon- 
I  proceedj  in 

ling,  and  at- 
icixlp  ol'  one 
)n,  who  had 
en  of  in  the 
try. 

orrior,  wiio 
mute  of  ]8ir 
the  handle 
2:other  with 
Jean  son.'" 
Jations,  and 
!.     This  af- 
)nt  often  in 
cern  for  his 
•Id.*     Sucli 
!  rehictai  I, 
himself  in 
rcat  Conn- 
iisive  lliat 
ties  of  the 
g  extracts 

mts  of  thn 
wo  Ci-nia- 
Ic  and  the 
le   alarm. 

ii  I  drunk  to 
mil  iTcovcrcd 

'II ;  for,  said 
uon,  wo  sec  ; 

iiotlirr  rouu- 

niir  lull' vrry 

lii'i'ii  takoti 

)iir  Hitimlioii 

»,  1758, 


'r. 


I 


1742.J  SIR    WM.    JOHNSON'S    DIARY. 

About  noon  all  the  women  of  the  chief  men  of  this  castle  met 
at  .Sir  William's  lodging,  and  brought  with  them  several  of  the 
sachems,  who  aciiuainted  Sir  William  that  they  had  something 
to  say  to  him  in  the  name  of  their  chief  women." 

"  Old  Xickus  (Urant)  being  ajjpointed  si)eaker,  opened  his  dis- 
course with  condoling  with  Sir  William  for  the  losses  his  peo- 
})le  had  sustained,  and  then  proceeded  : — 

"liiioTUKK,  we  understand  you  intend  to  go  to  a  meeting  to 
Onondaga ;  we  can't  help  speaking  with  tiiis  belt  of  wampum  to 
you,  (Uid  giving  our  sentiments  on  your  intended  journey. 
In  the  lirst  place  we  thiidc  it  quite  contrary  to  the  customs  of 
any  CJovernors  or  Superintendent  of  Indian  alfairs  being  called 
to  Onondaga  upon  public  business,  as  tlic  council  lire  which 
burns  there  serves  only  for  private  consultations  of  the  con- 
federacy ;  and  when  matters  are  concluded  and  resolved  upon 
there,  the  confederacy  are  to  set  out  for  the  great  fire  place 
which  is  at  your  house,  and  there  di^liver  their  conclusion. 
In  the  next  place  we  are  almost  convinced  that  the  invitation 
is  illegal,  and  not  agreed  upon  or  desired  by  the  confederacy, 
but  only  the  Oneidas — which  gives  us  the  more  reason  to  be 
uneasy  about  your  going,  as  it  looks  very  suspicious.  Did  not 
they  te  '  you,  when  they  invited  you,  tiie  road  of  friendshii)  was 
clear,  and  every  obstacle  removed  that  was  in  before  .'  They 
scarce  uttered  it,  and  the  cruelties  were  connnitted  at  the  Ger- 
man t'latts,  where  the  remainder  of  our  poor  brethren  were 
butchered  by  the  enemy's  Indians.  Is  this  a  clear  road  of  peace 
mid  friendship  ?  Would  not  you  be  obliged  to  wade  all  the 
way  in  the  blood  of  the  poor  innocent  men,  women,  and  chil- 
dren who  were  murd(;red  after  being  taken  ? 

"  IJKoriiiMi,  by  this  belt  of  wampum,  we,  the  women,  sur- 
roimd  and  hang  about  you  like  littN;  children,  who  are  crying 
at  their  parents' going  from  them,  for  fear  of  their  never  return- 
ing again  to  give  them  suck  ;  and  wc  earnestly  beg  you  will 
give  ear  to  our  re(piest,  and  desist  from  your  journey.  We  flat- 
ter ourselves  you  will  look  upon  this  our  speech,  and  take  the 
same  notici;  of  it  as  all  our  men  do,  who,  when  they  are  ad- 
dri^ssod  by  the  women,  and  Jesired  to  desist  from  any  rash  en- 
terprise, they  innnediately  give  way,  wlien,  before,  every  body 
else  tried  to  dissuade  tlicni  from  it,  and  could  not  prevail." 

Gave  the  Belt. 


'\  I 


10 


LIFE    OF   BRANT. 


[1742. 


>  I'-'  I 


ii 


'•'  Canajoharie,  Maij  7th.  This  afternoon  Sir  William  had 
a  meeting  with  the  chief  women  of  this  castle,  and  returned 
them  thanks  for  their  condolence  of  the  5th  instant.  At  the 
same  time  he  condoled  with  them  for  tiie  loss  of  one  of  the  tribe 
of  the  Bear,  that  belonged  to  the  chief  of  that  tribe,  with  a 
Stroud  blanket,  a  shirt,  and  stockings."' 

A  string  of  Wampum. 

"Sir  William  told  them  that  he  would  answer  their  speech 
concerning  his  journey,  when  the  messengers  who  had  gone 
to  Oneida  came  back.  Ho  also  made  private  presents  to  a  lew 
of  the  head  women  of  each  tribe,  with  a  blanket  and  shirt 
each." 

"  May  10//i.     This  afternoon  Sir  William  returned  his  an 
swer  to  the  speech  of  the  chief  women  of  this  castle,  n^^ade  to 
him  on  the  5th  instant,  which  is  as  follows  : — 

'■DvATTHGo,  your  tender  and  affectionate  speech,  made  some 
days  ago,  I  have  considered,  and  thereupon  liavc  dispatched 
messengers  to  Oneida,  in  order  to  inquire  how  things  stand 
there  after  what  happened  at  the  German  Flatts,  and  whether 
my  presence  at  the  meeting  would  be  still  necessary.  These 
messengers  are  returned,  and  I  find  by  them  that  the  sachems 
of  Oneida  likewise  disapprove  my  proceeding  any  farther,  for 
sundry  reasons  they  give  in  their  reply.  Wherefore  1  shall 
comply  with  your  request  to  return,  and  heartily  thank  you  lor 
the  great  tenderness  and  love  expressed  forme  in  your  speech." 

Returned  their  Belt. 

The  next  entry  in  which  the  name  of  Nickus  Brant  occurs, 
is  under  date  of  November  IStii,  175S — in  which  he  is  called 
the  chief  sachem  of  Canajoharie.  He  must  also  have  been  a 
man  of  trust  and  consequence,  as  he  had  then  just  returned 
from  an  important  mission  to  a  great  Indian  council  in  Peim- 
sylvania. 

^'■Fort  Johnson,  Nov.  18,  1758.  Nickus,  chief  sachem  of  Ca- 
najoharie, arrived  from  the  meeting  at  Easton,  and  in  the  pre- 
sence of  the  Belt,  a  Seneca  chief,  several  more  of  said  nation, 
the  Red  Head,  and  some  more  Ouondagoes,  showed  me  all  the 
belts  which  passed  between  the  Governors  of  Periusylvania, 
New  Jersey,  and  the  several  nations  of  hidians  there  assembled, 
with  the  purport  of  them,  which  I  need  not  insert  here."' 

All  important  laud  negotiation  had  taken  place  at  the  coun- 


[1742. 

'illiam  had 
i  returned 
t.  At  the 
3f  the  tribe 
ibe,  with  a 

U  up  1(711. 

eir  speech 
had  gone 

■s  to  a  tew 
and  shirt 

3d  his  an 
!,  n^iade  to 

lade  some 

hspatched 

ngs  stand 

i  whether 

^     These 

p  sacliems 

rtlier,  for 

e  I  shall 

V  you  tor 

.speech."' 
Belt. 

t  occurs, 

is  called 
c  been  a 
returned 

n  Penn- 

ii  of  Ca- 
thc  pre- 
lation, 
all  the 
!/ivania, 
enibled, 

e  coun- 


1742.] 


SIR    WM.    JOHNSONS    DIARY. 


11 


cil  at  Easton,  by  which  the  agents  of  Penn  had  agreed  to  re- 
lease to  tlie  Six  Nations,  certain  territories  purchased  of  them 
at  Albany  in  1754 — but  which  sale  gave  dissalistiiction  to  the 
tribes.  Nickus  desired  Sir  William  to  comnuinicate  tiiis  infor- 
mation to  tlie  Indians,  on  their  return  from  hunting;  and  Sir 
AVilliam  enjoined  it  upon  Nickus  to  put  an  end  to  the  irregu- 
larities of  his  tribe,  and  the  mischief  they  M'ere  doing  to  tbe 
properly ;  as  "  such  barbarism  must  be  productive  of  very  fatal 
consequences." 

The  Diary  says : — "He  told  me  it  was  with  the  utmost  con- 
cern he  had  heard  what  I  had  told  him,  and  assured  me  he 
would  endeavour  all  in  his  power  to  restrain  them,  and  try  to 
bring  them  to  proper  order  ;  but  doubted  of  success  while  there 
was  such  a  tlood  of  rum  in  tb.e  country,  which  alone  occa- 
.sioiied  them  to  connnit  such  irregularities,  and  which,  if  not 
prevented,  must  inevitably  destroy  them  all  in  a  liiMe  time."'* 

On  the  ISth  of  .January,  1759,  Sir  William  held  a  contl'rence 
at  Canajoharie  Castle  with  the  iMohawk  and'  Seneca  chiefs. 
Alter  condoling  with  them  for  tli(;ir  losses  by  sickness,  with 
three  strings  ot'  wam()um,  and  lor  their  losses  by  the  war  with 
a  like  number  of  strings,  he  addressed  them  as  follows  : — 

"BllKTUREX  OF  TMir.  TWO    JMoHAWlv    Ca.STI.KS   AND    Sl'.XR- 

CAs  :  I  take  the  lirst  opportimity  of  acquainting  you  that  His 
Majesty  lias  been  pleased  to  ap[)oint  Lieutenant  General  Am- 
herst, Commander  in  Chief  of  all  ins  forces  in  North  America, 
in  the  room  of  Lieutenant  General  Abercrombie,  who  is  called 
home.  Also  that  the  General  1ms,  by  letter,  desired  I  would 
use  my  utmost  endeavours  to  get  as  great  a  luimber  of  our 
brethren,  the  Six  Nations,  to  join  him  early  next  Spring  against 
our  common  enemy,  as  I  possi!)ly  can.  This  I  shall  endeavour 
to  do,  and  would  be  glad  of  your  advice  and  assistance  therein, 
Mdiicli  by  this  belt  of  wampum  I  desire  you,  as  our  steady 
friends,  will  afford  me.  A  Belt. 

"  Urkthren  :  As  you  are  all  acquainted  with  the  late  cruel 
and  unprecedented  murder  of  John  M'.Michael,  one  of  our  peo- 

*  Tiic  introduction  and  pernicious  ctrccts  of  ardent  spirits  ainona  tiio  Iiulian«  were 
a  frequent  subject  of  conipluint,  even  at  that  early  day,  of  wliicli  Sir  WiUiaiirs 
moinoraudu,  and  the  records  of  Indian  speeches  to  hiui,  allbrd  repeated  proofs. 


« • ' '. 


:J' 


•     I 


12 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1742. 


|)le,  by  a  Cayoufija*  Indian  near  Fort  Stanwix,  wlioni  lie  em- 
ployed to  escort  him  to  Fort  Herkimer,  1  sliall  not  repeat  the 
disa2^reeal)le  circumstances  to  yon,  as  I  nm  sensible  it  iiU'ects 
you  as  well  as  me.  I  would  now  only  aslc  your  opinion  what 
are  the  proper  steps  to  be  taken  in  the  affair,  as  it  will  always 
have  great  weit^fht  with  me.  Three  S/riiias. 

"  JJitK'i'iiuKN  :  I  lately  received  these  slrinys  oC  wam])um 
from  the  (.)neidas  by  Captiiin  Fonda,  by  which  they  say  1  am 
invited  to  a  meetinff  ])roposed  to  be  held  soon  at  ()nondai,M, 
where  you  (U"e  also  desired  to  attend.  I  am  ready  iuid  willini,^ 
to  go  if  you  think  it  will  be  for  the  good  of  the  service.  At 
the  same  time  I  must  observe  to  you,  that  I  think  it  an  unpre- 
cedented manner  of  inviting  either  you  or  me,  without  some 
of  the  Oiiondagas  coming  down  with  it  as  usual.  1  neverthe- 
less submit  to  your  judgnu'nt,  as  beinii;  better  ae(|uainted  with 
their  Ibrms,  and  expect  you  will  give  it  me,  ;is  well  as  your 
opinion  of  the  i»rop(!r  steps  lor  me  to  take,  in  order  to  get  what 
prisoners  of  ours  may  Ix;  among  the  nations." 

Three  S'/rins's. 

"  Do.  !>}<  'J'arrMwarriax,  niid  another  Seneca  sachem,  came 
to  Sir  William,  nt  llrtinl's  hiuise^  and  tokl  him,  iVc. 

"  Janniiry  11*.  The  sachems,  vVc.  being  met  at  their  coini- 
cil  room,  sent  to  acipuiint  Sir  ^Villiam  that  they  were  ready  to 
answer  to  what  he  the  day  before  had  laid  belitre  them.  On 
which  I  e,  with  the  same  gentlemen  who  attended  him  yester- 
day, went  to  tli(;  meeting,  when  Aroghyadecka,  (iI'kis  Old 
Uraiit,  chief  ol' the  ( 'aiiajoliaries,  spoke  as  litllows  : — 

"HuoiMii.ii  \VAHKA(iiiivA(iKv  I — \V(!  are  much  obliged  to 
you  for  giving  us  so  timely  notice  ol'  (he  Cienend's  desire  and 
intentions,  and  we  hope  and  wish  that  be  may  be  ri'ady  to 
lake  th(!  lield  very  early,  which  in  our  o|iiiii(»n  is  what  should 
always  lu^  done.  \o\\  may  di'pend  upon  our  allaeliinent  and 
assistance  •  being  determmed,  as  we  declared  to  you  at  the  be- 
ginning of  this  war,  to  stand  or  liill  with  you.  And  iis  you 
desired  our  opinion  with  regard  to  the  Six  Nations,  we  have 
considered  ol  it,  and  think  it  best  that  you  call  then'  sachems, 


♦  Alwnys  h|u'1i  tliii-^  liy  Sir  Willlnm  .Idlirsmi. 

t  'Till'  iiiiiiic  »liu-li  ilir  IikIiiiiim  Imil  luiilcrioJ  iipun  Sir  Willuuii,  (iiul  liy  wliicli 
*ju  wun  uliiiutit  iiivuriably  uJiIiumhuJi 


i 


m 


[17.12. 

horn  he  ein- 
t  repeat  tlie 
ble  it  aliects 
[)iiiioii  wimt 
will  always 
'SVr///i,'',v. 
if  waiiipuHi 
y  say  I  am 
()i)oii(]a<irn, 
and  wiliiiin- 
ervice.     At 
t  an  unj)re- 
ilioul  sonic 
I  nevertlie- 
aintcd  with 
ell  as  your 
o  get  what 

Iiein,  canio 

lit'ir  conn- 
ready  (o 
H'ni.  On 
ni  yeslrr- 
/i<is   Did 

iMiijcd  to 

■sire  and 

ready  lo 

It  slionid 

I  lent   and 

it  till'  he- 

as  yon 

we  have 

Nae  linns, 


l>y  which 


1743.] 


SIR   WM.    JOHNSON  S    DIARY. 


13 


eliicl  warriors,  and  leading  women,  down  to  your  house  as  soon 
•IS  may  be,  where  we  shall  be  ready  to  attend  and  assist  you 
all  in  our  power.  lictiirnvil  the  Bdf. 

"  liuoTiiKR  :  The  late  murder  of  one  ol'  our  brethren  n(\ar 
th  '  rarrying  place,  by  one  of  the  lfpp(>r  nations  in  the  French 
mterest,  oives  us  -rreat  concern,  and  think  he  ou^-ht  to  be  se- 
verely punished  li)r  it.  IJut  as  we  hope  the  -Six  Nations  may 
now  act  a  better  part  than  they  Iiavi'  hitherto,  we  would  advise 
yon  not  to  say  any  thiniif  about  it  until  they  come  to  the  metit- 
inu'  ai  your  house,  and  then  we  think  tin;  milder  you  speak  to 
tlicin,  the  better,  at  this  time.     And  this  is  our  opinion. 

JtctiinirtI  f/ircr  Sfriiis's. 

'•  HiiOTHKR  :  As  for  the  strinirs  of  Wiuiipum  lately  sent  by 
the;  Oiieidas,  to  invite  you  and  us  to  a  mectimi'  at  ()nondaij:a, 
we  think  with  you  that  it  wasnot  aceordini;"  to  our  ancient  and 
Usual  enstoin,  nor  was  it  even  a  projier  invitation.  We  are  ot 
opniioii  llint  your  inviting  them  iill  to  your  house  is  niueh  bet- 
ter and  mure  m  character.  Wherelbre  we  would  be  vi^ry  glad 
il  you  would  u"ive  them  an  invitation,  and  at  the  same  time  to 
send  some  stniiLi's  of  waiiipnin,  desiiitiu' they  would  bring  what 
prisoners  of  our  brethren  may  luMimong  them. 

Tltrcf  Slriiiu;s  oj'  W  tnninnn, 

"  HRoTiiini :  We  return  you  our  he;irty  thanks  lor  ihe  con- 
lideiiee  you  ri'pose  in  ns,  and  be  assured  we  shall  ever  study 
lo  act  so  as  to  continm!  your  good  opinion  of  ns.  We  are  also 
lliiuikful  to  you  for  the  good  news  you  yi'sterday  told  us,  mtd 
we  heartily  eon^ralnlatt!  yon  thereon,  and  hope  I'lirlher  siicce.s.s 
may  attend  the  King's  arms." 

'The.  course  suggested  by  tJK!  chiels  was  adopted  by  Sir 
AVilliiun,  and  m(>ssengers,  with  the  usual  siirniliciint  belts,  were 
forihwidi  dispatched  lo  tin;  ( 'ayugas  and  Oiiondagas.  It  was 
attended  by  th(!  best  results,  as  appi>ars  from  subse(|iienl  entries 
in  the  Diary.  Mr.  IM'.Michael.  who  had  been  murdered  by  the  rn- 
creanl  ( "ayuga,  was  a  trader  of  note,  and  the  peiuliar  atrocity  of 
his  murder  had  created  a  deep  feeling  of  indignalioii,  for 
which  the  circumstances  of  treachery  and  ilnplicily  staled  in 
the  olljcial  report  frt)iu  the  commaiuhng  ollicer  ai  Tort  Stan- 
wi.K  to  Sir  Williiun,  were  u  full  warrant.  'The  ( 'ayugas  lo.st 
no  tiiiK^  in   numilesting  their  sorrow  and  delestalion  of  the 


i 


:'!!' 


14 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1742. 


Ill 


1.      I 


!i' 


':.  (»' 


It  I, 


^ ' 

I 

I  i 


crime,  as  will  bo  seen  from  the  following  extract  from  the 
Baronet's  journal :  * 

^^  Fort  Jolinsnn,  Feb.  5.  Slcanarady,  Teuirhsarairarat,  and 
Ottawannio,  three  chiefs  of  the  Cayuga  nation,  arrived  here 
with  several  more,  and  after  being  introduced  by  Clement, 
the  interpreter,  began  and  said  : 

"iiiioTiii.R  WAiiiiAuiiiYACiKv  :  '^Flic  unluippy  uuirder  of 
one  of  our  brethren  near  the  Oneida  carrying  place,  is  the  oc- 
casion of  our  coming  dow)i  at  this  severe  season  of  the  year. 
Our  mition  would  not  be  at  rest,  nor  easy,  until  they  had  spoke 
to  you  alioul  it.  We  now.,  in  their  behalf,  wipe  away  the  tears 
from  your  (tyes,  so  that  you  may  look  pleasant  at  us.  We 
likewise  remove  all  ()l)structions,  and  clear  your  tiu'oat,  so  that 
you  may  s])eak  clear  and  friendly  to  us.  Lastly,  we  wi|)e  i'way 
the  blooil  of  our  brother,  lately  killed  near  the  carrying  place, 
that  the  sight  of  it  may  no  longer  give  us  concern. 

T/iicc  )S'/r!iii>s  of  WdinjHim. 

"  Sir  Williiun  told  them  that  he  would  be  ready  ilu;  next 
morning  to  hear  what  they  had  fiu'tber  to  s:iy,  and  would  desire 
his  nt'iahbonrs,  the  Abihawks,  to  attend. 

"  \Vciln<s(l<iij^  Feb.  f).  About  twenty  IMohawks  arrived. 
Tla^  Cayuii'as  being  acipiainted  that  Sir  Williiun  was  ready, 
with  tln'  Ab)liawks  and  two  Onondagoes,  to  hear  tiiem,  thtiy 
enirrcd  the  Council,  anil  Skanarady  spoke  as  follows: 

"HiioTiri:ii  Wakuauhiyaukv  :  On  our  arrivid  yesterday 
we  wiped  the  tears  fnuu  your  eyes,  anil  wi!  now,  agreeable  to 
the  custom  of  our  lorefathers,  take  the  I'^reuch  hatchet,  (which 
they  gav(>  to  one  of  our  foolish,  delnilt  d  yotmg  men,  giving 
liim  irreal  nnvards,  and  making  him  lartre  promises  if  he 
woidd  use  it  against  our  brethren  tlie  lluiilish,)  out  of  your 
head,  and  bury  it  in  a  d(>ep  pool,  where  it  can  never  he  l()und ; 
also,  with  this  hrli  of  wampinu  we  assure  you  that  it  gives 
our  iiationas  nnieh  concern  as  itean  you,  and  promise  tlii^  great- 
est care  shall  be  taken  to  prevent  the  like  h;ip|)eninu:  for  the 
future.  .1  Jilar/.-  ni'd   Wliitv  lUlt. 

*  Tlio  nntlmr  in  of  coiirKO  nworo  tliat  tliix  in  a  ili^nnHioii  IVoin  liiw  niuin  Kiilijcrt; 
tint  tlii<  iMciiicnt  in  un  iiit<>r(>Ntii)t{  iiiu<,  unit  tint  hiicccIi  of  lliti  CiiyuiCUN  uorlliyor 
lircKcrvntiiiii  lor  it!4  .miiii|i|(<  |iutluiK,  iitui  -ilxo  iin  iiii  illiixtrntion  nf  liulinn  cliaraclrr. 
Mr.  M'MiL'Imvl's  I'uiiiily  aicyct  uinuiij^thu  iiiuit  rci<|ioi'tiil)l()  rcsiilcntH  uf  Hclioncrladr, 


{    i     1.1 
<  * 


""^^ 


[1742. 
t  from  the 

iirarnt,  and 
rived  here 
y  Clement, 

murder  of 
,  is  the  oc- 
''  the  year, 
had  spoke 
ly  the  tenrs 
-  us.  \Ve 
i.it,  so  that 
wipe  ■■•way 
MUg  place, 

rntpunt. 
f  ih«!  next 
)uld  desire 

s  arrived. 

vwH  ready, 

em,  they 

veslerdav 
eeahle  to 
I,  (which 
1,  irivinsT 
es    if  ho 

of  your 
le  li)und; 

it  i!'ives 
he  jTreat- 
LT  li»r  tlio 

llriL 

nil  siilijcrl  { 

"llllhjr  of 

<  liiirnctor. 
lii'iiccladv. 


1742.] 


SIR    WM.    J0nN.S0NS    DIARY. 


15 


'•  Broth kr:  With  this  belt  we  cover  his  fi:ravc,  that  the 
sigiit  of  it  may  no  longer  give  you  or  us  concern. 

.1  White  Belt. 

"Brdthfr  :  With  these  strings  we  raise  up  your  iiead, 
now  hanirijig  down  with  concern  for  the  loss  o\'  one  of  our 
bretiircn,  and  beg  you  will  no  longer  keep  sorrow  in  your  mind. 

Three  Strins;s  nf  Wompuin. 

"IJrotiier:  Lastly,  we  most  earnestly  entreat  that  you 
will  not,  for  what  has  happened,  neglect  the  management  of 
our  all'airs,  as  your  neglect  of  them  at  any,  hut  more  particu- 
larly at  this,  time,  must  render  us  unhappy,  and  throw  the  con- 
li'deracy  info  conliision.''  .4  lUlt  nf  Jilack  diid  While. 

To  which  .Sir  William  replied: — 

'•  llRKi'iniKN  OK  CwKi A  :  I  liavo  heard  what  you  have 
by  these  belts  said,  and  only  now  tell  you  that  I  shall  defer  en- 
liriiig  into  the  iitfair  uiuil  the  l'''iv(>  Nations  are  nuit,  which  I 
expect  will  l)e  soon,  as  1  have  invited  them  all  here.  Then  you 
and  they  will  hear  what  I  have  to  say  on  the  subject,  and  your 
belts  shall  be  laid  by  sale  until  then," 

< '  the  1  lib  of  I'^ebruary,  Sir  William  proceeded  to  Cana- 
joii  which  place  he  hull   invited  aineeting  of  the   chiefs 

aiKi        ..lors  of  the  i\h)hawl<s.      TIm;  occasion,  and  the  pro- 
c(!edings,  will  be  understood  from  the  annexed  extract : — 

'^Afoit(hii/,  /Vh.  I'i — H  at  nisrhf.  Ileing  all  assembled,  Sir 
William  told  them  that  the  reason  of  his  coming  to  their  castle 
was  to  gel  a  number  of  their  brisk<'st  men  to  join  ('aptain 
liOlleridge,  and  some  of  the  .Mohawks  and  Schoharies,  on  a 
scout  to  Tienderago,  *  or  Crown  Point,  in  order  to  see  what 
tln'  enemy  was  about,  and  get  him  ii  prisoner  from  whom  he 
might  be  able  to  get  better  intelligcMjce  than  the  (ieneral  daily 
receives,  and  which  would  enable  the  (»en(>ral  to  tak(^  proi)er 
measnn's  lor  the  defence  of  the  country  until  the  opening  of 
the  campaiu;!!,  and  that  (hey  would  be  ready  in  two  days  to 
set  elf  I'nr  Ins  jiouse,  whert!  they  woiikl  be  supplied  with  every 
thing  necessary  for  such  .service." 

A  painted  War  lirlt  thrown  hetwern  them. 

No  sooner  was  the  belt  cast  among  them,  than  Sonughsus,a 

•  Tieoiulurofid— nlwajuMivlIrd  thiiM  l»y  Sir  William  Jolindoti, 

7 


:ll 


I-    ■     I 
.    I  .  .. 


t 


iili  t 


pi 


,  !l 


1  I, 


'! 


Hi 


LIFK    OF    nilANT, 


[1742. 


chief  of  the  Bear  tribe,  uroso,  took  the  belt  in  his  hand,  and 
sang  iiis  war-song,  and  was  followt^d  by  several  more  of  each 
tribe.  Then  Arogliigadecka,  the  chief  sachem  of  the  castle, 
stood  up  and  said  ; — 

"  Hrotiikk  Warragiiiyagky  :  We,  the  sachems  and 
warriors  of  the  Oanajoharie  castle  immediately  quit  our  hunt- 
ing on  your  call,  and  made  all  the  haste  possibl(>  to  meet  you 
here,  where  we  are  all  heartily  glad  to  see  you  ;  and  in  answer 
to  your  desire,  without  any  hesitation,  I  am  desired  by  the 
young  men  present  to  tell  you  they  will  be  ready  to  go  with 
(j'aptain  Lotteridge,  and  the  Mohawlvs,  tfcc.  on  the  service  you 
require,  and  we  have  no  reason  to  doubt  you  will  (in  their  ab- 
sence) take  care  of  their  families,  who  are  extremely  poor  and 
in  great  want  of  provisions,     ffcrc  returned  the  War-Iivlt. 

"  Sir  William  thanked  them  for  the  vi  adiness  they  showed  on 
the  occasion,  and  told  them  he  would  give  their  families  some 
provisions  in  their  absence,  or  money  to  jiurchiise  it,  so  thai 
they  should  not  suller.  He  then  gave  them  an  entertainment, 
as  usual  on  such  occasions,  and  parted.  He  left  that  castle 
Tuesday  morning,  and  arrivt>d  at  b'ort  Johnson  that  night." 

The  next  mention  of  the  IJrants  contained  in  the  broken 
manuscripts  of  Sir  Willijun,  is  found  in  the  private  jouruid 
kept  by  him  of  his  tour  to  Detroit  in  17()l,  after  the  surrender 
of  the  (Janadiis.  The  duty  then  devolved  upon  Sir  William 
of  meeting  the  upi)er  Indians  around  the  great  Lakes,  ])re- 
viously  under  the  influence,  and  many  of  them  in  the  service, 
of  the  French,  in  Grand  Council  at  Detroit, — to  establish 
friendly  reliitions  with  them,  and  receive  a  trai'sli-r  of  that 
qtutsi  allegiance  which  the  Indians  have  generally  aeknow- 
hidged  (o  the  whites,  I'Vencli,  Mnglish,  or  American.  In  addition 
to  his  own  inunediate  suite,  among  whom  was  his  son,  I,i(ute- 
lumt  Johnson,  (afterwiu'd  Sir  John,)  In-  was  'ill'-uded  on  lh(f 
expedition  by  a  detachment  of  troops,  rmd  a  band  of  the  Mohawk 
warriors.     While  at  Niagara,*  Sir  William  notes  : 

"  Afnitddi/,  Ani,nLs'l  10.     Nickus,t  of  ( 'anajoharie,  an  Indian, 

♦  Tlio  ttutlior  litiH  ulrcmly  iiclinnwlidncd  liis  iiidclttrdni'SH  to  Ar'  liilndd  ■tdliiimin, 
F.H(|.,  of  LowiT  (Juimdn,  fur  tlio  origiiiul  of  tliin  \uty  iiitfrintinji  jmiriirtl,  wliicli  it  \>i 
\ui\m\  wdl  hv  of  sfroatcr  iiho  ijiuiuitlii'i'  work. 

I  MickuM  lluiiuu — uiuillitr  iiumu  uiiil  u  diU'urunt  pcriion  froiii  Nickua  Dintit,  tif 


h 


u 


[1742. 

3  hand,  and 
lore  of  each 
1  tlie  castle, 

chenis    and 
it  our  liuiit- 
o  meet  you 
d  ill  answer 
ired    by  flie 
to  jtro  with 
iorvice  you 
in  their  ab- 
ly poor  and 
Var-lidt. 
showed  on 
iiiiies  some 
;  it,  so  thai 
LM-tuinment, 
tliat  castle 
t  ni^ht." 
Iiu   brolveii 
to  journal 
!  surrender 
Wilhaiii 
lakes,  pre- 
10  service, 
ostabhsli 
T  of  (hat 
'teknow- 
I  adihtioii 
I,  liieiito- 
'd  on  the 
'  IMohawk 


1742.] 


BIRTH    AND    I'AUKNTAGE. 


ir 


ir 


m  Indii 


in. 


I'I'I  .'"llllSiill, 

I.  «  hirli  il  iM 
iiH  Krutit,  (if 


arrived  here,  and  acquainted  me  that  several  of  his  castle  had 
died  of  malignant  fever  ;  and  that  all  Brant's  family  were  ill  of 
till!  same  disorder,  except  the  old  woman.  He  also  told  me  that 
lie  had  heard  by  the  way  from  several  Indians,  that  I  was  to  bo 
destroyed  or  murdered  on  my  way  to  Detroit ;  and  that  the  In- 
dians were  certainly  determined  to  rise  and  fall  on  the  Enj^lish, 
as  several  thousands  of  the  Ottaways  and  other  nations  had 
ayreed  to  join  the  Five  Nations  in  this  scheme  or  plot." 

It  is  ni;edless,  however,  to  multi|)ly  citations  to  the  point  im- 
mediately in  view.  The  object  of  those  alniady  made  has  been 
to  clear  up  the  doubts,  if  ))ossible,  and  establish  the  lact  iis  to  the 
jmmediate  ancestry  of  'riiayendaneii^ea,  alias  Joseph  IJraiit ; 
whil(.',  it  is  believed,  the  incidental  history  necessarily  involved  in 
these  extracts  has  not  been  altogether  devoid  of  interest.  And 
although  the  fact  is  nowhere  })ositively  asserted,  yet  there  is 

this  Nickiis,  ri'iii'iUnl  iiienfion  is  made  in  Sir  WiUinm's  previous  ofllcial  diaries. 
Tiic  ("olIowiiiL'  qiiutalioiis  iiri;  j;ivt'ii  as  curious  lliuslnitions  of  Imli.ui  cuHtonia  : 

"  Flirt  Jiilinwti,  Mittj  -ii,  17."»7.  Sir  Williaiu  s|)oi<(i  witli  .N'iukus  ILuicc,  alius 
Taicarilio'j;o,  u  ( 'iiiiujoliiuii-  cliicf,  wlio  cuinc  to  si-e  liim,  iitid  told  him,  tiial  iia  In;  was 
much  coiicoiiuwi  Ibrlhi'  loss  of  his  (said  1  lance's)  mother,  who  hitciy  died,  timt  he 
expectiid  he  \»'ould  riimovo  his  coiicuru  by  ^oiii'4  to  war,  uiid  iiriii;;iiii;  cither  a  pri- 
soni^r  or  a  sciii|)  to  put  iii  hor  room,  or  stead,  us  is  usual  amniii;  Indians.  TTponthiii 
.Sir  William  i;;ive  him  a  very  line  hlack  helt  to  cnlitrce  his  rcipu'st.  Tuicariho^o 
rcUirned  Sir  William  thanks  Ibr  the  concern  hu  shared  tor  the  loss  of  his  mother, 
accepted  the  helt,  anil  promised  Im  would,  on  his  return  home,  call  his  young  men  to- 
<;i!thcr,  and  lay  Sir  William's  helt  and  rc'ipiest  l)eli)re  them."  [The  K'V'"e!  "'"  "  ''ti" 
ill  this  way,  was  u  soil  ot"  commission  t'J  make  u|i  u  sculping  party  against  tho 
forces  or  the  settlomcnt.i  ol'  tho  enemy. — d\Ulwr.\ 

Of  n  similar  character  is  the  following  extract  from  the  Diary  : 

" .llhiimj,  Mt\i  \^,  17JS,  ('apt.  .Taeol)  Head,  of  u  Company  of  Stockhridge In- 
dians, hrou>;ht  to  Sir  William's  lodgings  I'oiir  I'Veneh  scalps,  which  his  cousin,  chief 
of  another  company  of  said  Indians,  had  takiMi  from  tho  onciny  sonio  few  days  bo- 
fore,  anil  the  aforesaid  .lucoh  spoke  im  liillows  : 

"  Hiiithii-  Wdrnifrliaijiiifey;  'I'his  scalp  (Ijie  one  with  a  hliiek  helt  tied  to  it  point- 
ed) I  desire  inny  he  delivered  to  my  wife's  uncle,  old  llickus,  of  Canajohuric,  to  re- 
place her  mother,  who  was  his  sister. 

•'  This  scalp,  ( meaning  another  upon  the  same  otick,  with  a  hunch  of  hlack  wampum 
tied  to  It,)  I  scud  to  (ho  uturesuid  man  to  replnco  Kiiseniu,  who  was  Taraghyorie'a 
wife. 

"This  scalp,  (ujraning  n  Hcolp  hy  itself  mi  a  stick,  with  a  hunch  of  hlack  wam- 
pum,) my  cousin,  ('aptain  .lacoh,  gives  to  replace  old  King  llendriek.of  Cunajohoiio. 
[Killed  !•>  I7"i."i,  at  the  liattle  of  Lake  ( ieori^e. — ,1iitli(ir,\ 

"This  sculp,  (meaning the  small  one  tied  round  with  u  hunch  of  wnnipum,)  my 
raid  cousin  gives  to  replace  ilickus's  son,  who  was  kilhul  at  (he  bat(io  of  the  Lakd 
under  your  command." 


■i)'. -nii:" 


18 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


HI:  V 
i. 


'II . 


I     Id  I 


!ii 


Wi    1 


\  'I 


;'       I 


ht 


I  ' 


I       •' 


[1742 


much  reason  to  suppose  that  he  was  tlie  son  of  Nickus  Brant, 
whose  Indian  name,  accordinij:  to  Sir  William  Jolnison,  was 
Aroifhi/adcc/ca  ;  but  which  has  been  furnished  to  the  author  by 
the  family  as  Tehowaghwenguraghkw'nt.  It  iins  been  seen 
from  the  extracts  that  JSickus  I3rant  was  a  Canajoharie  chief  of 
character  and  celebrity,  between  whom  and  Sir  William  a  close 
intimacy  subsisted.  Wlien  calh'd  to  Canajoharie  ujjon  business 
or  pleasure,  the  JJaronet's  cpiartcrs  were  "atlJranfs  house,"' as 
noted  in  his  own  Diary.  It  is  likewise  well  known,  that  after  the 
decease  of  Lady  Johnson,  (an  event  which  occurred  several 
yean;  antecedent  to  the  jieriodof  which  we  are  now  writiuif,  and 
before  he  had  won  his  baronetcy  at  Lake  Georire,)  Sir  William  took 
to  his  home  as  his  wife,  Alary  I 'rant,  or  "  ^Miss  Ahilly,"  as  she  was 
called,  with  whom  lielived  luilil  hisdecease  in  1771.andbywhoni 
he  liad  several  cliildren.  'This  circumstance  is  thus  mention- 
ed by  Mrs.  Grant  in  her  delightful  book  already  referred  to: — 
"  Becoming  a  widower  in  the  prime  of  life,  he  connected  himself 
"with  an  Indian  maiden,  daughter  to  a  sachem,  who  possessed 
"an  unconnnonly  agreeable  person  juid  good  understanding; 
"  and  wliether  ever  formally  married  to  him  accordii>g  to  our 
"usage,  or  not,  continued  to  live  with  him  in  great  union  and 
"  alfection  all  his  life."'  The  Baronet  himself  repeatedly  speaks 
of  this  Indian  lady  in  iiis  private  journals.  While  on  his  ex- 
pedition to  Detroit,  entries  occur  of  having  received  news  from 
liome,  and  of  having  written  to  "Molly."  lie  always  men- 
tioned her  kindly,  c.r  ffr : — • 

"  Wcdnrsdiiij,  (kt.'.iXsf.  M(!t  Sir  liobert  Davers  and  Cap- 
tain l']th(^riiigton,  who  gavt^  me  a  ])iicl<et  ol  letters  from  (ge- 
neral Amherst.  *  *  *  Captain  Etherington  told  me  Molly  was 
delivered  of  a  girl :  that  all  were  well  at  my  house,  where  they 
staid  two  days." 

But  to  return  from  these  digressions.  Molly,  as  it  lias  already 
been  stated,  was  the  sister  ol'  'Phiiyendimegea  ;  and  both,  ac- 
cording to  the  account  ol'  th(>  liondon  iMfigazine  of  177*),  the 
earliest  printed  testimony  upon  the  subject,  were  th<'  grand- 
children of  onti  of  the  Mohawk  chiefs  who  visited  Mngland 
hair  a  century  before,  'riml  his  t'atlier  was  a  chief,  several  iill- 
ihorilics  have  likewise  been  cited  to  show  ;  to  which  may  bo 
added  that  of  Allen's  Biographical  Dictionary,  where  the  fact 


I 
I 


[1742 

us  Brant, 
iisoii,  was 
autlior  by 
been  seen 
ie  chief  of 
im  a  close 
1  business 
liouse,-'  as 
t  after  the 
d  several 
itini,'',  and 
lliamtook 
us  she  was 
IbywJioni 
mention- 
'ed  to : — 
d  himself 
possessed 
standing; 
is;  to  our 
lion  and 
y  speaks 
1  his  ex- 
ws  from 
ys  men- 

nd  Cap- 

oui  (le- 

lly  was 

.•re  they 

already 
ith,  ac- 
rC),  the 
i;'ran(l- 
iii:!laiid 
■lul  all- 
nay  hu 
he  fact 


1755.] 


BATTLE  OF  LAKK  GEORGE. 


10 


1^ 


is  positively  asserted.*  From  such  a  body  of  testimony,  there- 
fore, direct  and  circumstantial,  it  is  hazardint!:  hut  very  little  to 
assume,  that,  so  far  from  having'  been  of  humble  and  plebeian 
orii,nn,  according  to  the  statement  of  Dr.  Stewart,  Joseph  IJrant 
was  of  the  noblest  descent  among  his  nation. 

Of  the  early  youth  of  Josepli,  there  are  no  accounts,  other 
than  that  he  was  very  young  when  hrst  upon  the  war-path. 
In  one  of  the  authorities  to  which  reference  has  already  been 
made,t  it  is  stated,  that  having  attained  the  age  of  thirteen  years, 
Ik;  joined  the  warriors  of  his  tribe  under  Sir  William  Johnson, 
and  was  j)resent  at  the  rr'^morable  battle  of  Lake  (Jeorge,  in 
which  the  KhmicI'  "oy  ''"ated,  and  tiicir  c  ■  ^•"i'vi.'U'r,  the 
Baron  Dieskau.  mi/.<.ally  Xv.-.tuded.  The  Aloh., ,.  Ks  were  led 
into  action  by  their  celebrated  king,  the  brave  old  lleiidrick, 
who  was  slain,  t  It  was  this  victory  which  laid  the  Inundation 
of  Sir  Willianfs  military  ffune,  and  in  reward  li)r  which  he  was 
created  a  IJaronet.  It  is  re[)orted.  that  in  relating  the  particu- 
lars of  this  biuody  engagement  to  Doctor  Stewart,  the  youthful 
warrior  acknowledged,  '"'riiat  this  beinu' tiietirsl  actional  which 
'•  \ni  was  present,  he  was  seized  with  such  a  tremor  when  the 
"  liriug  begin,  that  he  was  obliged  to  take  hold  of  a  small  sap- 
"  ling  to  steady  himself ;  but  that  after  th«!  discharirci  of  a  lew 
"  vollies,  he  recovered  lae  use  of  his  limbs  and  the  composure 
"of  his  mind,  so  as  to  sup|)ort  the  charaeler  of  a  brave  man,  of 
"which  he  was  exceedimfly  ambitious."'  lie  was  no  doubt  a 
warrior  by  natin-e.  "  I  like,"  saiil  he,  once  in  after-life,  when 
(lie  conversation  was  about  music,  "the  barpsieliord  well,  and 
"llieorii'an  still  better;  biU  1  like  tli(i  drum  and  trumpet  best 
"of all,  for  they  make  my  heart  bi'at  (pni:k."M 

l*ri!sideut  Allen  states  that  the  father  of 'Phaveiidanegea  had 
three  sons   iji  the  army  of  Sir  William  Johnson  in   the  year 

*  I'rc'siclriit  AiliMi  is  coiiiu'i'tiil  It)'  iiiariiii^fi  with  \\w  family  ol'  tlir  l:itc  Picsidcnt 
WluH'lock,  iukI  Ims  iiml  cxeclit'iit  i>|ipi)i(imilii',-i  li)i'  lurivin^  at  llic  ]ii'i)l>iilil(^  tiiilii. 

t  Cliiistiaii  Iti'nistiT. 

I  A  coimcil  of  war  was  called  S('|)t.  H.  It  was  pniposi'd  to  send  Hdi'larliinrnf  to 
mrcl  till'  I'licmy.  Wiuii  tlm  miiiilu'r  was  rnciitioiii'd  In  I  icndiick,  lie  rc|ili(Ml— "  If 
tlivy  aro  tit  fii!;lil,  tlii'v  iiru  ton  few;  if  tiu'V  an- to  Ix' lulli'd,  liit-y  arc  too  numv." 
Wlu'ii  it  was  pit  po.Ji  li  to  Mciul  out  llic  dctacliiiiciit  in  tlircc  piirlic,  1  Icndiiik  look 
three  slicks,  uiufsii id,  "  Put  tlicsn  toifcllicr,  and  you  can't  lircak  llicni ;  take  llicui 
one  liy  one,  and  you  will  do  it  easily."  I  leiulrick's  udvico  wus  takun,  uiui  victory 
was  tlie  result. —  IIMliUS, 

U  Lt'Uur  uf  T.  Cuiipbell  lu  Aliyuiinuc^lit), 


•f 


iVr 


hrP 


<   ! 


||  M'i 


h 


20 


LIFE    OF   ERAXT. 


[1759. 


1756.  Of  tliesc  Joseph  was  probably  the  youngest,  since  he 
was  but  thirteen  at  the  battle  of  Lake  George  in  1755.  A 
yoinig  warrior  truly :  but  he  might  well  have  been  there,  even 
at  that  tender  age,  since,  by  all  the  accounts  that  have  descended 
to  us,  he  must  have  been  a  lad  of  uncommon  enterprise — giving 
early  promise  of  those  eminent  qualities,  which  were  developed 
in  the  progress  of  a  life  of  various  and  important  action. 

The  youthiul  warrior  likewise  accompanied  Sir  William 
during  the  Niagara  campaign  of  1750,  and  in  the  brilliant 
achievements  of  the  Baronet,  after  the  chief  command  liad  de- 
volved upon  him  by  the  death  of  General  Prideaux,  is  said  to 
liiive  accpiitted  himself  with  distinguished  bravery.  General 
Prideaux,  commanding  the  cx))edition,  was  killed  by  the  acci- 
dentid  explosion  of  a  colioni  on  the  2()th  of  July,  soon  alter 
commencing  the  siege  ;  but  Sir  William  prosecuted  the  plan 
of  his  fallen  superior  with  judgment  and  vigour.  On  the  2  Ith 
of  July  IMonsieur  I)' Aubrey  ajiproached  the  lortress  with  a 
strong  force,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  the  sieue.  A  severe  en- 
gagement ensued  in  the  open  field,  which  resulted  in  the  tri- 
umph of  the  IJritish  and  Provincial  arms.  The  action  was 
commenced  with  great  impetuosity  by  the  French,  but  Sir  Wil- 
liam was  well  prepared  for  their  reception.  After  a  spirited 
contest  of  half  an  hour,  the  French  broke,  and  the  fate  of  the 
day  was  decided.  The  tlight  of  the  French  was  bloody  and  dis- 
astrous for  the  space  of  live  miles,  at  which  distajici^  D'Aubrey, 
and  most  of  his  olilcers,  were  captured.  The  Indians  behaved 
uncoimnoidy  well  on  this  occasion,  and  Hrant  was  among  them. 
On  the  following  day,  so  vigorously  did  the  IJaronet  jirosecute 
his  operations,  the  fort  was  taken,  with  all  its  military  suj)plies 
and  about  sir  hundred  prisoners.  IJy  this  blow  tin;  French 
were  cut  olf  from  their  jtroject  of  k'eeping  up  a  line  of  fortified 
conununications  with  Louisiana, 

The  exertions  of  Sir  ^Vi^iam  Johnson  to  imjirove  the 
moral  and  social  condition  ol'  his  Ah)ha\vk  neighbours,  were 
not  the  l(!ast  of  his  praiseworthy  laboiu's  among  that  lirave  and 
chivalrous  peopl(>.  Having  aided  in  the  building  of  churches 
and  locating  missionaries  among  lliem,  at  the  nniuest  of  the 
1{<'\'.  Air.  Ivirkland  and  others,  he  selected  numbers  of  young 
INlohawks,  anil  caused  them  to  hi;  sent  to  the  "  Moor  Cliurity 
School,"  established  at  Lebanon,  (Jonnocticut,  under  the  ini- 


*% 


[1759. 


1761.] 


MOORS    CHARITY   SCHOOL. 


21 


5t,  since  he 
11  1755.  A 
there,  even 
3  descended 
ise — ffiving- 
i  developed 
tion. 

ir  Wilham 
le  brilh.int 
nd  h;ul  de- 
,  is  sfiid  (o 
.     General 
ly  the  acci- 
soon  after 
1  the  plan 
n  the  2!th 
L'ss  with  a 
severe  en- 
in  the  tri- 
LCtion  was 
t  Sir  Wil- 
a  spirited 
ate  of  tlie 
y  and  dis- 
)'y\nl)rey, 
i  behaved 
my  them. 
)r()seeute 
.s'il)])lies 
Trench 
/orlitied 

ove  the 
t's,  wvro, 
'nvc  and 
linrclics 
<(  of  tin; 
yonng- 
Charity 
the  im- 


mediate direction  of  the  Rev.  Doctor  Eleazcr  Wheelock,  after- 
ward President  of  Dartmouth.  College,  of  which,  by  its  tranfer, 
that  school  became  the  foundation.  Among  the  youths  thus 
selected  was  young  Thayjndanegea,  the  promising  brother  of 
"Miss  Molly." 

The  precise  year  iii  which  he  was  thus  placed  under  the 
char<re  of  Dr.  Wheelock  cannot  now  be  ascertained.  The 
school  itself  was  opened  for  the  reception  of  Indian  pu])ils, 
avowedly  as  an  Indian  missionary  school,  in  1718 ;  the  tirst 
Indian  scholar,  Samson  Occum,  having  been  received  into  it 
live  y(;ars  before.*  It  has  been  asserted  that  .loseph  was  re- 
ceived into  the  school  in  July  1701,  at  which  time  he  must  have 
been  nineteen  years  old,  and  a  memorandum  of  his  ])receptor 
to  that  effect  has  been  cited.  According  to  Dr.  Stewart,t  how- 
ever, lie  was  a  mere  boy  when  first  sent  to  Lebanon;  and  it 
will  presently  appear  that  the  entry  of  Dr.  Wheelock  was  most 
probably  incorrect.  He  was  doubtless  at  the  school  in  that 
year,  and  very  likely  on  the  point  of  leaving  it;  since  three 
years  afti'rward  he  will  be  found  settled  in  his  own  native  val- 
ley, and  engaged  in  very  different  pursuits. 

The  correspondence  between  Doctor  Wheelock  and  Sir  Wil- 
liam was  (piite  active  at  this  period  upon  the  sul)ject  of  the 
school,  and  Joseph  was  himself  emi)loyed  as  an  agent  to  ])ro- 
cure  recruits  for  it.  Thus,  in  a  letter  from  the  Baronet  to  the 
Doctor,  dated  November  17,  1701,  he  says — "  I  have  given  in 
"  charge  to  Joseph,  to  speak  in  my  name  to  any  good  boys  he 
"  may  see,  and  encourage  to  accept  the  generous  offers  now 
"made  to  them;  which  he  promised  to  do,  and  return  as  soon 
"as  possible,  and  that  without  horses."  The  probability,  how- 
ever, is,  that  he  went  to  the  .school  immediately  after  his  return 

*  Tho  BUCC0S9  of  tlio  Doctor  willi  liim,  was  a  strong  indiueiiii'Mt  for  estahlisliina; 
tlio  si'liool.  Occtiin  was  onlaiiUMl  to  llu>  miiiiMtry  in  l"J!l;  and  was  8iilis('(|urnlly 
located  an  a  missionary  anioni;  tlit;  Dnt'idas,  to  wliicii  place  lie  waaaccoinpanled  l>y 
yir  William  liimself.  'riio  Indiiui  preacher  afterward  compiled  and  poMislicd  n 
volnmi!  iirdeviiMiinal  liyinns. 

t  Allhoui;li,  for  want  of  other  anthorities  in  regard  lo  the  yonni;  chief  at  this  periixl 
of  his  life,  it  Ih  necessary  to  nso  tiiat  of  Dr.  Stewart,  yet  that  i.s  evidently  not  very 
accurate.  l'"or  instance,  he  sends  Thayondani^gea  to  Dr.  Wheelock  at  Ihrtmoulli ; 
whereas  the  scliiml  at  that  place  was  ikiI  opened  until  1770,  at  which  jR-riod,  or  otdy 
oil"  year  thereafter,  hy  the  same  authority,  the  chief  was  living  in  hid  own  ho'iac,  with 
a  wife  and  children,  ut  Caintjohurie. 


92 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1762. 


i    III 


1     I 


'm 


.'I 
ll  ■ 


li  l! !  i 


3 


!!      t 


i   ; 


1 

1 

t 

n  ( 

ii 

J— A 

from  tlie  Niaj^ara  campai<rn  in  1759.  No  doubt  he  had  left  it 
before  »Sir  William  wrote  the  letter  just  cited,  and,  beiiiij;'  eii- 
gatjed  upon  some  Indian  mission,  had  been  instructed  to  interest 
himself  among  the  people  of  the  forest  in  behalf  of  that  institu- 
tion. That  he  did  not,  himself,  remain  long  at  the  school,  is 
conceded.  According  to  Dr.  Stewart,  moreover,  lu;  made  but 
little  proficiency  in  his  studies  at  this  .seminary,  having 
"  learnc^d  to  read  but  very  inditferently  in  the  New  Testament, 
"  and  to  write  but  very  little."  The  fact,  however,  tiiat  the 
Rev.  Charles  Jelfrey  Smith,  a  missionary  to  the  jVlohawks,  took 
Thayendanegeaasan  interpreter  in  the  year  following,  (1702,) 
and  gave  him  an  excellent  character,  presents  a  much  more  fa- 
vourable idea  of  his  progress  in  It.'arni ng  while  at  the  school; 
as  al.so  docs  the  I'ollowing  passage  from  the  memoirs  of  his 
teacher: — "Sir  William  Johnson,  Superintendant  of  Indian 
"alfairs  in  North  America,  was  very  h'iendly  to  the  design  of 
"  Mr.  Wheelock,  and  at  his  request  sent  to  the  school,  at  various 
"  times,  several  boys  of  the  Mohawks  to  be  instructed.*  One  of 
"  them  was  the  since  celebrated  Josejih  Brant ;  who,  affrr  re- 
"  I'civjjig  Ins  eduaifion,  was  particularly  noticed  by  Sir  William 
"  Johnson,  and  em])loyed  by  him  in  pid)lic  business.  He  has 
"  been  very  us(!tid  in  advancing  the  civilization  of  his  coun- 
"  trymen.  and  for  a  long  time  past  has  been  a  military  oiiicer 
"of  extensive  intluence  among  the  Indians  in  U|)))er  Canada."! 
Accompanying  Thayendanegea  to  the  '■  Moor  School,"  t  were 
several  other  Mohawk  youths,  and  twoDelawareshad  entered  the 
school  belbre  him.  The  name  of  one  of  Thayendanegea's  com- 
panions was  W  illiam,  a  half-breed,  who  was  supposed  to  be  the 
.son  of  his  patron.  Only  two  of  the  lumiber  remained  to  receive 
the  honours  of  the  I'ulnn^  college.  The  otlmrs,  impatieiu  of  the 
restraints  of  a  school,  and  delighting  more  in  the  chase  of  "'amo 
than  t)l  literary  honours,  loving  their  native  forests  better  than 
sunny  lields,  and  preferring  to  string  the  bow  and  .speed  the 

*  When  tlio  romidalioii  oftlie  school  was  ciihiri^od  l)y  the  lihrrnhty  of  the  Earl  of 
Dnrtriioiitli  ami  otlicrs,  in  England,  and  the  same  was  retnoved  from  Connecticut,  it 
('oiitaiiicii  "H  |)ii|)ils,  (i  of  whom  were  Indians.  There  is  anion^lhc^  .lolinson  pai)er3 
u  ll  Iter  from  I'resideiit  Wheelock,  written  Id  Sir  Williuni  in  177-J,  introdueinj^  two 
of  iiis  Indian  pupils  to  the  ue<|naintanee  of  the  Haronet. — Jhilhitr. 

\  M'( 'lore's  Life  of  SVhcclock,  paue-i?. 

}  So  culled  from  the  name  of  its  founder,  Mr.  Joshua  Moor,  of  Mansfield,  Con- 
neeticul. 


r. 


[1762. 

had  left  it 
,  bcinfT  on- 
to interest 
int  institu- 
scliool,  is 
made  but 
y,   havings 
[''estanient, 
•,  tliat  the 
iwks,  took 
ig,(l702,) 
h  more  I'a- 
le  school ; 
lirs  of  his 
of  Indian 
design  of 
at  \'arious 
*     One  of 
,  offer  re- 
r  William 
He  has 
his  coun- 
try oliicer 
'anada.'M" 
'  ■'{  were 
tcredthe 
'a's  coni- 
o  be  tlio 
()  rc'ceive 
lit  of  the 
of  f,'-aine 
Icr  than 
ipeed  the 

'the  Rarl  of 
inrcticuf,  it 
isnn  papers 
liu'iri"  two 


field,  Con- 


1762.] 


AT    MOOH  S    CIIAUITY    SCHOOL. 


23 


arrow,  rather  than  turn  over  the  pau:es  of  Li\'y  or  Cordcrius, 
returned  to  their  hunter  stale  in  about  two  years.  Thayen- 
dane-i-ea  probably  left  the  school  at  the  same  time.  He  used, 
when  sjioaking  of  the  school;  to  relate  with  much  pleasantry 
an  anecdote  of  "  William,"'  who,  as  he  aiilrmed,  was  one  day 
ordenxl  hy  ^Ir.  Wheelock's  son  to  saddle  his  horse.  The  lad 
refused,  alleiriiig  that,  as  he  was  a  t^eutleman's  son,  the  per- 
formance of  such  a  menial  oiiice  would  hi;  out  of  chanicter. 
'•  Do  you  know,''  inquired  tlui  youuirer  Whcclock,  "  what  a 
frentleman  is  ?"  •' I  do,"  replied  W^illiam  ;  "  a  [gentleman  is  a 
person  who  keeps  race-horses,  and  drndcs  .Madeira  wine,  and 
that  is  what  neither  you  nor  your  fatlusr  do, — tliereforo  saddle 
the  horse  yourself!"* 

The  exiirencies  of  the  frontier  country  did  not  allow  Thay- 
en(laiieL>-('a  to  remain  louy"  associated  in  the  mission  with  Air. 
(Smith.  He  was  attain  called  out  upon  the  war-path,  as  ap- 
pcLU's  by  th(3  following  para<rra])h  in  one  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kirk- 
laud's  t  earliest  reports  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wheeloek,  in  regard  to 
the  Christian  missionaries  and  teachers  employed  among  the 
tSi.K  Nations  : — 

"  Joseph  Hrant,  a  ^Mohawk  Indian,  and  of  a  family  of  distinc- 
"tion  in  that  nation,  was  educated  by  Air.  Wheeloek,  and  was 
"so  well  a(?coinplislied  that  the  Rev.  Cli;irles  .Tellrey  Smith,  (a 
"  young  gentleman  who,  out  of  love  to  Christ  and  the  souls  of 


♦  Christian  Ili-corilir.  Tlii'^  anocdiito  rcinindH  the  niillior  of  uiiothtT,  wiiich 
he  has  heard  a  (hstin<;uishcJ  KoiUucky  inemhcr  of  Coiii;ross  rclutf!  with  <;rpat  j;lco 
of  liimst'lf.  Whwi  first  oh'ctt'd,  he  said  he  had  n"vor  crossed  tlio  AlU'^hanies,  and 
lie  iViri'd  L'reatly  tiiatliis  ijziiorancc  and  riisticiiy  wonld  he  liut  too  nianit'est  when  lie 
came  to  ass()c'i:ite  wilii  ij;enth:nieii,  Jle  had  iieard  I  hat  gcnth'nii'n  were  fond  of 
Clianipa^ne,  of  which  he  had  never  tasted.  Bnt  he  siiid,  that  nt  the  first  dinner  party 
at'ier  his  arrival  at  the  sent  of  ijovernrnent,  he  was  relieved  of  his  eniharrassiiient. 
At  the  first  taste  of  the  s|iarUliiii;  lirpior,  he  found  that  he  loved  it.  lie  knew,  there- 
fore, that  he  was  made  for  a  gentleman  !  And  a  very  agreeahle  and  accomplished 
gentleman  he  liecaiiio. 

\  The  Uev.  Siiinuel  i\.irkland,  fithcrof  President  Kiikland,  lute  of  Harvard  Fiii- 
vcr.^ity,  and  for  more  thnii  forty  yeors  n  missionary  anions  the  Six  Nations — ehielly 
the  ( »neid;is'.  Ih-  was  th'?  son  of  tin;  Rev.  Daniel  Kirklatid,  of  Norwieli  (roitn.) 
where  he  was  horn  in  17l'i.  llia  education  was  commenced  at  l>r.  A\  heeloek's 
Bchnol,  on<l  his  collef^iate  coursn  performed  at  Princeton,  where  he  was  uradnntcd  in 
l7f).V  IIi>  first  eoinineneed  his  lahonr.s  ainon!j;the  .^'Miecas,  in  17fi(),  haviiii;  learned 
the  Mohawk  laiiijiiayo  while  in  coUcgo.  Ho  was  olten  employed  by  the  fiovern- 
ment  in  various  Indian  trandaclions,  and  died  at  Paris,  Oneidu  County,  in  March, 
1308. 


•  '!pil! 


ii 


».' 


n 


24 


LIFE    OF    lillANT. 


ii         » 


»f ! .  (1'^ 


;! 


m 


|| , 


i*« 


[1763. 


"men,  devotes  h's  life,  and  such  a  fort'me  as  is  snfRcient  to 
"siipjort  himself  and  an  int(Tpreter,  wholly  to  this  glorious 
"  service,)  took  him  for  his  interpreter  when  he  V\^ent  on  his 
"  mission  to  the  ]\loha\vks,  now  three  years  ago.  But  the  Mar 
"  breaking  out  at  that  time  between  the  back  Indians  and  the 
"  English,  Mr.  Smith  was  obliged  to  return  ;  but  .Tosejih  tarried, 
"and  went  out  with  a  company  against  the  Intlians,  and  was 
"' useful  in  the  war;  in  which  lie  behaved  so  much  like  the 
"  Christian  and  the  soldier,  that  he  gained  great  esteem.  He 
"  now  hves  in  a  decent  manner,  and  endeavours  to  teach  his 
"  poor  brethren  the  things  of  God,  in  which  his  own  heart 
"seems  much  engaged.  His  house  is  an  asylum  for  the  niis- 
"sionaries  in  tiiat  wilderness."* 

Neither  the  particular  war  in  which  the  young  chief  was 
then  engaged,  nor  the  time  of  the  campaign,  is  noted  in 
the  foregoing  extract.  A  passage  contained  in  a  letter  from  Sir 
William  .Johnson  to  Dr.  Wheelock,  liowevcr.  dated  April  25th, 

1704,  atlbrds  a  clue  to  the  desired  information  : — "  J is  just 

"  returned  from  an  expedition  against  the  enemy,  who  have 
"  abandoned  their  towns,  of  Avhich  three  were  burned,  with  lour 
"  villages,  consisting,  in  all,  of  about  twohvuidred  houses,  built 
"  with  squared  logs,  and  vast  quantities  of  corn,  6:c.  Parties 
"  are  now  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy."'  It  was  therefore  early  in 
the  Spring  of  1704  that  young  IJrant  returned  from  the  war — 
then  brought  to  a  close.  The  war  itself  could  have  bcon  none 
else  than  that  against  tlie  great  Ottoway  chief  Pontiac,  who,  in 
1703,  undertook  to  dispossess  tlic  FiUglisJi  of  the  country  of  the 
lakes,  then  recently  acquired  by  conquest  fi  om  the  French.  Pon- 
tiac  was  by  far  the  most  formidable  chii^f  with  whom  tlu^  En- 
glish colonists  had  had  to  contend  since  the  fall  of  Phili]).  He 
combined  the  groat  Indian  tribes  of  the  north-west  almost  as 
one  man,  and  in  1703  led  thirty-six  chiefs,  Avntli  their  trains  of 
warriors,  against  l)(>troit,  alter  having  carried  s(>voral  of  the  re- 
mote western  posts.  A  well- concerted  stratagem,  timely  dis- 
covered to  the  British  commander  by  an  Indian  woman,  had 
well  nigh  placed  that  im|)ortant  position  within  his  ])ower  also. 
Foiled  in  the  plan  of  obtaining  adiuission  by  stratagem  and 
putting  the  garrison  to  death,  Pontiac  laid  siege  to  the  furt,  ut- 

♦  Narrative  of  Uie  Indian  Charity  School,  published  by  Dr.  Wheelock  in  1707, 
page  35. 


I 


t  • 


)^' 


:,!i 


[1763. 

sufficient  to 
is  glorious 
'ont  on  his 
lut  the  war 
ns  and  the 
^ph  tarried, 
>,  and  was 
;h  lilvG  the 
teem.  lie 
'  tcacli  his 
own  heart 
ir  the  niis- 

cliief  was 

noted    in 

r  from  Sir 

Ipril  25tli, 

isjnst 

who  have 
,  with  four 
uses,  huilt 
Parties 
early  in 
10  -war — 
)cen  none 
,  wiio,  in 
try  of  the 
ch.   Pon- 
th(>  En- 
ili]).     He 
ihiiost  as 
trains  of 
if  the  rc- 
iK^ly  dis- 
laii,  liad 
iver  also. 
LTom  and 
!  lurt,  at- 

ck  ill  17C7, 


1765.1 


THE    WAR   OP    PONTIAC. 


25 


M 


I 
1 

I 


tacking  it  with  great  fury.  It  was  besieged  for  a  long  time,  as 
also  were  the  fort  at  Niagara  and  I'ort  Pitt.  It  was  not  until 
the  Autumn  of  17G3  that  the  English  were  able  to  throw  suc- 
cours into  Detroit,  in  accomplishing  which  enterprise  some  of 
the  .Mohawk  warriors  wtnc  engaged.  There  had  been  several 
severe  engagmeiits  with  Pontiac"s  warriors  in  the  course  of  that 
Summer,  in  which  the  Indians  attached  to  the  English  cause 
had  Ibught  with  great  bravery.  The  vessel  carrying  the  sup- 
plies to  Detroit,  was  likewise  furiously  attacked  by  a  force  of  350 
Indians,  in  boats  on  the  lake,  but  they  were  bravely  repulsed. 
In  what  particular  battles,  diuing  this  contest,  ThayeiLlanegea 
was  engaged,  does  not  appear.  13ut  he  was  in  the  war,  and 
his  courageous  and  enterprising  spirit  offered  the  best  evidencr>, 
that  h;,;  neither  avoided  the  post  of  danger,  no"'  failed  to  reach  't 
for  want  of  activity.  Having  invested  Detioit  lor  a  t\relve- 
mouth,  the  French,  moreover,  with  whom  he  was  in  alliance, 
having  lost  their  power  iu  America,  Pontiac  sued  lor  j)eace  on 
the  a})proach  of  Clen.  LJradstreet  from  Pittsburgh,  at  the  nead  of 
30UU  men.* 

In  17G5,  Thayendanegea,  having  been  previously  married  to 
the  daughter  of  an  Oneida  chief,  was  sett  led  at  Ca'iiij'.^harie, 
us  ap])ears  by  a  letter  from  the  Kev.  Tlieojihilus  Ch.  inbedain, 
one  of  the  missionaries  to  tlu;  Six  Xations,  to  the  Kev.  Dr. 
"Wheelock,  written  from  Canajoharie,  and  dated  July  17th  of  that 
year.  Alter  speaking  of  the  encouraging  condition  of  the  In- 
dian school,  and  the  prospect  of  opeiiing  another,  ¥v.  Cham- 
berlain said:—"  I  am  now  at  Jose[)li  Ijrant's  house,  very  poorly 
"  with  the  dysentery,  which  hath  followed  me  near  a  week. 
"Hiding  in  the  rain  sometimes,  wadinu;  throutdi  tracks  to 
"get  along,  and  lodging  on  the  cold  ground  the  other  night, 
"have  made  me  almost  down  sick  ;  but  my  business  keeps  nie 
"  alive.     Joseph  Hrant  is  exceeding  kiu''  ' 

Three  years  afterward  he  was  still  Icadmg  a  peaceful  life  at 
the  stune  place,  as  we  learn  from  the  following  entry  in  the 
journal  of  xMr.  Uali)h  Wheelock,  who  had  been  sent  to  Oneida 
to  relic!ve  Air.  Kirkland,  that  g''i!'leman  being  sick  : 

"  March  18,  1768.  At  my  old  friend,  Joseph  Uraiit's,  I  met 
one  oil  the  chiels  of  l'".;  Onondagas,  (who  is,  by  way  of  enii- 

•  Pontiac  was  assapsjnated  in  1779,  during  a  war  between  Uio  lowaja  nnd  Otta- 
was.    Ho  was  a  great  man. 


26 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1771, 


v\        I 


r  . 


I-  n 


ncnco,  called  the  Wise-man,)  on  his  relnrii  to  his  tribe,  with 
Jiis  Avifo  and  child ;  and  by  Joseph  Biaiifs  liclji  1  was  able  to 
discourse  with  him,  and  delivered  my  messagi?  to  liis  natioi;." 

During  the  three  years  next  eiisuinn-,  no  ecrtaiu  inl()rnia(ioii 
has  been  obtained  respecting  liis course  of  lilc.  As  the  country 
\vas  at  peace,  however,  he  was  ])robabiy  leading  a  lile  oC  repose 
at  home,  save;  when  acting,  u|)on  occasional  business  visits 
among  tlie  Indians,  uiul<'r  the  din>ctioh  ol'  Sir  W  illiam  John- 
son. It  is  very  ])rol)able,  moreover,  that  he  may  at  that  time 
have  been  connected  with  the  Mnulish  episcopal  JMissions  to 
till'    Mohawks,  cttmmenced  in  the  >h)lia\\  !<    \  alliv  so  eai'lv  as 


170;. 


nd 


nti 


?d  d( 


tumecl  clown  o  the  beginniim'  ol'  the  HevoiU' 
tionary  war.  Having  l>een  employed  as  an  interpreti-r  by  oius 
of  the  missionaries,  several  years  before;  and  as  the  Kev.  Dr. 
John  Ogilvie,  the  ])redecessor  (  f  Dr.  IJarclay  in  that  mission, 
was  (>n, aged,  in  llie  year  17<)1),  in  revising.  eNtendinu',  and  re- 
printing tin;  Ah)liawk  Prayer  lioolc,  embraeinu'  addilion.d  pas- 
sages ol"  Scri])tin"e,  some  occasional  jirayers,  and  Indian  versi- 
licalions  of  several  jisahns,  it  is  highly  probable  that  Thayen- 
danegeii  may  have  been  emiiloyed  as  an  assistant  in  that 
labour,  since  he  was  partial  to  exereises  of  dial  description. 

Ju  the  year  1771,  the  Key.  j\lr.  Slewarl  eondu<'li'd  a  selio(>l 
nt  Fort  llimler,  Ihirly  miles  below  ( 'anajohnrie.  A  venerable 
friend  of  the  author,  yet  living  in  Albany,"  slates,  that  beiiiL'"  a 
])upil  in  Doctor  Stewart's  school  at  about  that  time,  he  had 
(>pporluuitii's  ot"  seeing  'rhayendane'4"ea  at  that  placi-  I'reipicntly, 
and  formed  an  acquaintance  with  him,  which  continued, 
interrupted  (Mily  by  the  war  of  the  |{e\-(iiniioii.  until  the  death 
ol' the  warrior,  lie  lliell  tiunied  an  e\ce||«>ul  opinion  of  the 
yoinig  chief  in  n  gard  to  talents  and  j^'ood  dispositiim.  It  is 
believed,  that  from  the  shrewdness  of  his  sister  Molly  and  the  in- 
lluential  position  which  she  occupied  in  the  family  of  Sir  \Vd- 
liam,  iidded  to  bis  own  talents  and  sagacity,  lie  was  mui'h 
tMuployeil  at  home  by  the  Maroiiet,  in  tiie  discharge  ol'  the  multi- 
liu'ioiis  diUics  incident  to  his  imporlanl  oilicial  station.  I  le  was 
also  iVeipieiiily  engaged  upon  di>i,tiit  embassies  among  the 
wt'sti-rn  tribes,  and  his  talents  and  tact  as  n.  diplomatist  of  lliu 
forest,  were  ipialities  pertaining  to  his  character  through  life. 

♦  IVimv  I'l'iiilii,  \'.^i\.,  Mill  111'  ( 'ii|i;iilii  .Ii  lii'M  1mi!iii.i,  «1ii(  uiiM  III)  11'  ii\.'  iiimI  vi>ry 
ctUciL'iil  ulluur,  bull)  III  tlio  Indiiiii  mid  >MiUiry  otrMci',  uiidir  h'lr  NVdliuiii  Juliiuuii. 


% 


I 


1 


[1771. 


1772.] 


HIS    SECOND    MARRIAGE. 


27 


'r!!;i\'<'n<laiio2'<^i  ^va.s  thri(.'(;  murrii'd— liaviiiLi"  hi'cn  twice,  a 
widiiwi.T  Itrliii-f  tin;  war  nl"  tlio  Revolutiiui.  His  lirsi  two 
wives  \\'(  IV  (if  the  OiK'ida  tribe.  The  Hcv.  Dr.  Strw.irt  sta,t(^s 
that  he  tirst,  became  aeqmiiuted  with  him  in  llie  winter  ot'  1771. 
lie  was  then  .^liU  r<'si(hng- at  Caiiajoliarie,  on  visitinuf  which 
vilhejt!  the  Doctor  says  lie  Ibiiud  huii  coml"orta1)ly  settled,  in  a 
fifood  house,  with  every  thiii^'  necessary  lor  th(.'  use  ol'  Ids 
I'aniily — consisting  of  a  wifi',  in  tlic  last  stage  of  eousuni|»tioii, 
and  I  wo  children— a  sou  and  a  dauixhtm'.  His  wife  (bed  some 
time  al'terwaid.  on  which  'I  hayendant>ir<'a  i^'paired  to  l^'ort 
Ihmier.  and  ri'^ided  with  the  Doctor  for  a  considerable  len-jth 
of  tniii'.  Doctor  iSlewart  was  then  euLraired  upon  another  re- 
visiou  ol'  the  Indian  Prayer  Hook,  and  Joseph  assisti-d  him  in 
m;ikin|j:  various  iid(htional  translations,     lie  lilo'wise  .-issisied 

the  I  )octor  in  traiisliilin^'  a  portion  ol'  the  Ai'ts  of  tlii-  Apostles, 
auil  ii  ^llort  history  ol'  the  IJible.  to^-elber  with  a  brief  i'\p|;iiia- 
(ii'U  Ml'  till'  rhurch  catechism,  into  the  ,Moh;i\vk"  buiirua'^'-,'.* 

It  is  slated  on  the  simi"  authority, i  that  in  the  winti'r  of 
17  7:i  I),  he  iipplied  to  Doct  ir  Stewart  to  mairv  him  to  the  Judl- 
sister  of  his  decejisi'd  wile,  but  the  Divine  re|i|s"d  the  ;ipplic;i- 
lioii  on  the  Li'i'i'imd  of  the  I'oibiddc'ii  relatiniiship.  Hraiit, 
however,  vindicated  the  act,  much  in  the  maimer  of  while 
widowers  desirous  of  formiiii;'  the  like  connexion  ;  ariiuiii'j, 
very  uatiiridly,  that  the  fact  of  the  relationship  would  secured 
jfreater  decree  of  lenderiu'ss  and  euro  for  his  eliildreii.  Still 
die  episcopal  minister  persisted  m  bis  refus.d.  and  ii  le^s  si  in- 
pidoiis  (ieiniim  ecclesiastic  gratified  his  desire  by  pi'rforminy 
the  ceremony. 

It  was  at  about  the  same  ])eriod  of  his  life  that  'rhayeiida- 
ne^•ea  bi'ciime  tin'  subject  of  serious  relii,dous  impressions.  He 
altiiched  himseli'  to  the  Clmreh.  was  a  chasti'iied  imd  re'/ular 
commimieiiiit  at  ihe  ci'lehralion  of  tin' I'liieharist ;  and  I'romhis 
serious  deporim 'lit,  and  the  anxiety  he  had  ever  lUiiuifesiel  to 
civilize  and  <  'hrisiianizi!  his  pijople,  great  hopes  wereeiiterlained 


♦  i)iii'tiii'  Sic'NMiil  i^tati'H  III. it  lie  w.H  ilin  cli'd  to  ir|mir  in  ^'l■\v-^'lll^,  iiiul  |iiilili-U 
tlu'^i'  liodlin  III  till'  <')(|i"ii!<"  of  till'  Mismiiiiury  Sitrirly,  Iml  wnn  pri'Vi'iili'tj  liy  lli.i 
lirciUiii'.' mil  111  ilii' wiir,  H'>liiik  tli'  Mss.  (,,  ( ':iii  i  l;i,  niiil  iiHc  rwunl  d.  Iivirnl 
llnMii  liH 'iiliiiii  I  l),iiiiil  f'laii!",  Iiv  wliiii.i  ilu<y  wciu  taken  to  l'".iijjluiul ;  liiit  it  ilm* 
iioi  Hppi'nr  tliiil  iJii'V  wi'io  «)vur  publi^lii'*!. 

I  'rill'  ('lirii.liuii  lli'y;i»'f('r. 


h 


IR 

1^    ' 

1  !  ■   ■      ,,i 

'  '       i  ■ 

'1 

'l     ■ 

'il'lt:' 


i    1^' 


28 


LIFK    OK    BUANT. 


[1773. 


lVo;a  liis  fiiliire  exertions  in  that  cause.  No  doulit  Icis  ever 
l)(\'ii  enti.Ttained  of  liis  sincerity'  at  that  time;  and  it  has  hetMi 
attril>nte(l  to  the  eounteraclini;"  nilhienees  ol"  the  (h'eadt'iil  trade 
ot"  war,  ill  which  it  was  his  fortune  alierv.ard  aii'ain  so  actively 
to  l)econie  eno-a^ed,  that  those  mauill'stations  of  Christian 
titihty  were  ellhced  ;  entir(;ly  (M'a(Ucated  they  were  not,  as  will 
be  seen  at  a  suhse([uent  stage  of  the  eareer  of  this  remarkable 
man. 

I'l  compliance  with  Indian  custom,  he  selected  al)osom  friend, 
cluriiiL:"  thai  period  of  hishll'  we  are  now  contemjilatinLT,  in  the 
jierson  of  a  Lientciiani  l*rovost,  a  hall'-pay  ollicer  residiiiir  in 
tin;  .Moii;i\vlc  Valjev.  'J'hose  un:ic(]uainted  with  Indian  usaiies 
nre  not  |)rol)id)|y  aware  ol'  the  intimaey,  or  the  importance  at- 
taclied  to  this  relationship,  '{'he  selected  iVieild  is.  in  lactjh(i 
coinnerpart  ol'  the  om(>  who  ehooscs  him,  and  the  atlaehmcnt 
ofii'n  hi'CDmi's  romantic  :  they  sli;u'e  each  otln'r's  secreis,  and  ari5 
])arlicipants  ol'  earli  other's  joys  and  sorrows.  As  the  IJevolu- 
tionary  tronhles  were  approaching,  lji(>ut(>nant  Provost  was 
ordiM'cil  to  his  regiment  and  npon  liireii^n  seivice,  <rreatly  to 
the  regret  of  the  I'ntnre  chii'i'lain.  His  lamentations  attracted 
the  attention  of  Doctor  Stcwarl.  who  advised  him  to  select  ano- 
ther frii'inl  oli'crmg  to  stand  as  a  siibstiliitc  himself.  Mm  no; 
tli(!  yiiiiL;' cliiel'  ijcclarcd  that  such  a  traiisll'r  of  his  all'ectioiis 
C(Mild  not  i.ilvc  pl;ice.  lie  was  ( 'apt.iiii  .lolin's  friend,  and  ano- 
ther siieh  I'rii'iid  could  not  be  in  e\istenc(>  at  the  saiu"  time. 
I,ieiltenaiit  l*rovos|  had  heeii  ordere(l  to  the  West  Indies;  and 
in  order  to  assure  him  of  the  stri'n<ilh  and  constancy  of  his  at- 
t;icliiiii'iii.  'I'liayeinhnegea  prociiri'(l  an  entire  Indian  costume 
i^\  the  ricliest  I'lirs  he  eoiild  obtain,  which  was  sent  to  him  in 
.laniaica.  This  inciilent  has  been  detailed,  not  liccansn  in  itsell 
of  liny  particular  importance,  but  iis  disclosing'  nil  evf-ellcnt 
nail  of  chiU'acler,  b:'>ii|:'s  ilhislraling  a  feature  <>\'  Indian  iilii 
w  liich  may  not  be  familiar  to  all.*  ( )lher  events  will  now  occii- 
])y  the  lUlcntioii  i»f  the  reader,  in  which  llie  Mohawlc  chienaiii 
will  be  bill  one  of  iiiMiiy  Jiclors,  lliough  seldom  lui  obscure  one. 

♦  .V  Hiiiiil  111  ii-tto;ii  iii'.x.iil' ll  iiMiDiij;  llii' iinrii'iil  <  irc.'K''.  Two  yiiiiii!»  wiiriidrii 
un<'n  iii«i)iiiiii'i|  llii^oliiik'atKiii  ui'  luMlluiiiooil,  wliicli  wuitukoii  Willi  puuutiur  ccrviiiu* 
aiu«,  aiiil  iiiuiiitaiauil  luviulalu  tlinnij^li  lifi*. 


1 


,411 


[1773. 


it  l(;is  ever 
if  lias  Ih<('ii 
ikIi'iiI  (rado 
so  actively 
riirisliaii 
lot,  as  will 
rcinarkablo 

^0111  (Viciid, 
iiiii-,  ill  lijo 
rosidiiifr  i^ 
iaii  iisau'cs 
>rlaii('(>  al- 
iii  fact,  (ho 
illacliiiiciit 
Is,  and  ar<5 
w  IN'volii- 
:>vos(  was 
UTcatly  lo 
>!  altractcd 
cloct  aiio- 

Hiit  no; 
airccdoiis 

and  ano- 
in'  iiiii(>. 
iit's;  niid 
of  Ills  af- 

<'os(iiint> 
I)  Inni  in 
'  ni  Mscli 
I'XJ'i'llciit 
(Han  Ijin 
•  W  occii- 
I'liit'llaiu 
in'ouf. 

lui  ciiL'iiiu* 


CHAPTER  II. 


Early  .«yii>l'''iins<>f  (!is!i(l''(ti(>n  nt  Boston — dii^iii  of  tlio  Ri'voliilioniiiy  Wiir— F  st 
liloinl  >lic(l  111  I77i(— Sliniiii;  cloiini'iici' ot  .liisr|)li  Wuiiin  — [•'(■(  liii^s  iit'Sii  WiU 
liiilii  .lolin.-'oii  -  I  li-i  Itllliirlli'i'  witll  till'  lllillaiis  itllil  (  ii'I'llliUls,  iiiiil  Ills  uii|>l<',i  ~:i:iC 
posiiKiii  — ljii«t  vi'lt  of  Sir  \\  illiaiii  til  I'.iiuIuihI— 1  Iih  dcalli  —  Mysti  rioiis  (iicinii- 
Kt.imrs  iilIi'iMJiii'i  it — Sii-i|iirioiis  1)1'  siiK  nil'  iiiiiii>t  —  I  li.-i  son,  Sir  .loliii  .loliii--iin, 
siiif'i'dM  li)  lux  litli'  iiiiil  I'stiiti's  —  I  lis  so;i-m-lin\',  <  'ol.  <  luv  .loliii-oii,  to  Ins  ullii'i- 
HH  Sii|i(iri(iii'ni|iiiit  ticiirriil  ol'tlw  linliiiii"  — I'iiirly  lili'  ot'  Sir  .Fulin — .Iot|iIi  llr.nit 
a|i|Miiiiii  il  Sccntiiry  to  ( iny  Joliiisoii — Inlliiiiici'  nt'  tlic  JoIiimoii  l.iiiiily  —  Kcuilii- 

lio)i;irv  symiiiuiiH  in  Ti'Voii  <  'oniity,  fomi'iiti'<l  liv  tli.'  |>roc dinuH  in  Nrw  I'Iul;- 

l:iilil--l''lisl,  mc'ctmi;ol"i'ryon  ( 'minty  \Vlii:;s— 1  )i'i'liir:ilioii  of  I!  i  Jit's  —  I'lrst  iiic  it- 
iiiii  of  (.'(>iii,'ross — I'iir  <'l  of  its  proii'i  (lin^w — in  I'lii^liind — 'rniduicss  cit'  I'mviii. 
t'i;il  lcL;isliitiir(!  of  N('\v•^'olk~S|)irll  ol'tlu'  p('o|(lr — Ni)trsi)r|)r('|i;iratioii  in  Mns- 
sai'liiis  'Its,  &('. — ( )vi'rt  iicls  of  rcUrllion  in  ccvrral  Stutcs — Indians  cxicin'ratid  liv 
till'  \'ii  ^iiii.i  liorili'ii'r'<  in  1771 — Mi  lam  Imlv  Mtorv  ol'  1  ,oi',an-  ( 'iiiii|i.ii  :ii  of  1. mi  I 
I)iinnii)ri' and  ('iiliiiiil  l.i'wis — I'.ittlr  o!' the  Kaiiliawa  — Spi.,  cli  of  i.o.rui  —  Its 
iiiilliriilK  ily  i|ii('.-.tii)ii(  (1-- 1'(  ui'c  ot'  (Jlidu'ollic — I  liliapjiy  I'.  lIiii:;  of  llir  IndLiii"!. 

Ir  has  hci'ii  nsnallv  asscrti'd  hy  hislorians,  (hat  (li<'  lirs!  hlood 
in  (ill'  w.u' of  (lie  American  IJcvolnlioii  was  shed  at  IieNin',""- 
lun  ;  lint  sncli  is  not  tho  fact.  TJu^  llos(oii  inassacie  ot'  1770 
M'l'is  (he  he<rinnin'4'  of  (hat  (•ontcst,  so  learlhl  in  i(s  coniiiicnce. 
tncnl,  so  doiditl'til  in  i(s  prooress,  and  so  splendiil  in  iis  ii'snhs. 
The  s(orni  had  even  (hen  heeii  i^adierin-j;  (i»r  several  yars,  and 
the  |)iil»|ic  inind  had  hecoini!  exceedingly  (i'verish.  no(  mily  in  re- 
ijrard  (o  the  ('oiKhtet  of  the  parent  govern iiieiii.  Iin(  in  it'sprc(  (o 
the  lini'^niao;e  and  leaiiin;  ol'the  ollieers  ol'  the  crown  staliniied 
III  (lie  colonies.  When,  moreover,  the  people  of  |{(i-.|on  were 
siihjccted  to  what  they  considered  a  still  yrciiler  indi'^nily,  hy 
the  i|iiin'teriii^f  ol'  solthers  anioii'j;  them,  (he  irrila(ion  \\a^  stich 
that  hill  II  small  deo-ree  ol'  lorecast  was  necesMiry  (o  the  percep- 
lioii  of  an  upproachinir  (\\|)losioii.  The  alfinr  at  (J  rays  Hope- 
Walk,  on  the  rid  of  March,  increased  ihe  nininal  r\asperaiion  ; 
and  the  nuissncre  that  followed  on  the  ."iih  was  Imt  the  iialiiial 
eonse(pieiice.  The  first  blow  was  then  struck.  The  tow  n  was 
thrown  into  lominotion,  the  ihitins  he;i(  to  arms ;  mid  the  news, 
with  the  e\ai;uera(ions  and  emhe|lishmeii(s  iiK'jdcnt  lo  all 
oecasiuns  ofaliirm,  spreail  throiinh  the  eoniitry  willi  the  rapi- 
dity of  liuhtniiiir.  Mveiy  where,  lhroi|o;hont  the  wide  e\tinl 
ol'the  old  thirteen  colmnes,  it  created  a  stroiiif  seii-ation,  and 
was  received  with  a  de;,Mee  of  iiidiLi;nimt  emotion,  whicli  very 
clearly  foretold  (lia(  hlood  had  only  commenced  ilowin^r ;  tnid 


30 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1774. 


•   U'.n 


\  ■ 


{ilflioiioh  five  years  intcrvenocl  before  tlie  donionstration  at  Lex- 
ington, there  were  too  many  m.-rvous  jiens  and  eloquent  tongiies 
in  (;xercisc  to  allow  those  feelings  to  subside,  or  to  snlier  the 
noble  spirit  of  liberty  that  had  been  awiikened  to  be  quenched. 
►Such  stirring  orations  as  those  of  Joseph  Warren  were  not  ut- 
tered in  vani ;  and  so  often  as  the  anniversary  of  the  5lh  of 
]\Iareh  retnrncd,  w<M'c  the  people  reuiindeil  by  liini,  or  l)y  his 
eoinpalridts  of  kindred  spirit — "  The  voice  of  your  ])rethren".s 
'•  i)i()()d  cries  to  you  from  the  ground."  The  admonition  had 
its  ell'cct,  and  the  resolutions  of  vengeance  sank  deeper  and 
ileeprr  into  the  hearts  of  the  people,  until  the  fnlness  of  lime 
slioiild  come. 

(Sir  AVilliiim  .b)lmson  was  too  observing  and  sagacious  a  man 
not  to  nole  the  signs  of  tlie  times,  lie  saw  tlio  gathering  teni- 
jiest,  iiiid  it  is  belii'vcd  to  have  given  him  great  inicasiness. 
His  sympalhies,  according  lo  the  testimony  of  those  who  knew 
liiin,  wen;  undoiilih'dly  with  the  jicople.  He  was  from  the 
body  of  the  j)eople  himself,  having  been  the  art.'hitcct  of  hiii 
own  rank  and  forlnnes;  and  those  who  were  acqmiinted  with, 
and  yet  surviv(!  him,  represent  tb(!  struggle  in  his  bosom  to 
li;ivi'  bii'n  great,  between  those  sympathies  and  his  own  strong 
juinciples  of  liberty  on  the  one  hand,  and  his  duty  to  his  sove- 
reiLfii  on  the  other— a  sovereign  whom  be  Ii;id  serv(^(l  long  and 
liiiilirnlly,  and  who  in  turn  had  loadi'd  him  with  princely  bene- 
factions. His  donifi'iis  in  the  Valley  of  the  Mohawk  were 
extensive  ;  imd  his  inllueiice,  through  a  large  innuber  of  subordi- 
nate ollicers  imd  a  numerous  tenantry,  was  correspondingly 
great.  To  the  Indians,  not  only  of  the  8ix  Nations  but  those 
liu'  in  the  west  beyond,  who  had  fallen  w'tbin  the  circle  of  his 
inllnence  after  the  coii([uest  of  t'anadaand  tia;  subjugation  of 
I'onliac.  he  jiiid  been  as  a  father,  and  they  looked  up  to  him 
with  veneration.  F.ong  association  with  liim,  ami  great  resjject 
lor  bis  chiiracter— which,  from  itsbluni  honi\sly,  frankness,  and 
generosity,  not  altogcilicr  devtiid  of  that  roughness  incident  to 
a  border  pojiuliition.  was  well  calcidated  to  seciu'e  the  altach- 
nient  of  such  people  had  also  given  to  his  opinions  the  liirco 
of  legal  aulliorily  among  llie  ( 'oloiiisls.  The  po|iulation,  asid(! 
I'roni  the  Indiims,  was  chielly  Dutch,  in  the  lower  i)arl  of  th«) 
Mohawk  Valley;  while  in  the  interesting  vale  of  the  Schohiirie 
Kill,  and  the  upper  dislncl  of  the  Moiiawk,  it  was  composed  of 


.III 


[1774. 


irri.] 


DEATH    OF    SIR    WILLIAM    JOHXSOX. 


31 


on  at  I.cx- 

Mlt  toilLHlOS 

)  sulil-r  tliG 

i 

(|ueiR-li(>d. 

■i 

ere  not  ut- 

Lhc  5th  of 

,  or  l)y  his 

l)rethreu",s 

nition  had 

-} 

kvpcr  and 

it 

!ss  of  time 

■;■ 

ous  a  man 

^ 

orin^if  teni- 

;'  '    ' 

incashiL'Ss. 

who  knew 

IVoni  tlio 

toct  of  liis 

nted  with, 

.  hosoni  to 

\vn  stroiiir 

^  his  ,s()V(>- 

1  h>n<;and 

(.'('ly  hene- 

iwk  were 

■ 

tfsnliorch- 

toiidiiisrjy 

Imi  those 

,1 

f'le  of  liis 

1 

nation  of 

i  ' 

ip  to  him 

j 

at  respect 

I 

iK'ss,  and 

eidelit   to 

r    i 

le  allarh- 

llie  (or CO 

mi,  .'iside 

III  (if  Ihe 

m 

I'liiiharie 

Ml 

ipitsed  of 


the  descendants  of  the  German  Pahitinatcs,  wlu)  liad  heon  phuited 
tliere  filly  years  before.  It  wiis  not  ut  that  jxM'iod  a  very  iiitt^l- 
liyent  i)opiiIatiou  ;  and  the  name  of  Sir  William,  wiio  had  hci.il 
their  lVi(,'nd  and  eomiianion  in  peace,  and  their  leader  in  war, 
like  that  of  the  Jvinn',  was  a  tower  of  strenirlh.  It  was  vrry 
natural,  therefore,  that  their  oj)iiii(ins  upon  the  ureiil  poliiieal 
(jiieslioiis  ilh'ii  a^'ittitin;,^  the  eoiuilry,  should  ial\e  their  eoin- 
])le\ioii  for  the  most  part  iVoiuthosiM'iitei'taiued  hy  hiiiL  lleiiee, 
when  the  storm  of  civil  war  commenced,  the  TiOyalists  in  that 
A'alley  w(M'e  proliahly  more  mnuc'rous,  in  proportion  to  the  whole 
muuher  of  the  ])oj)ulatiou,  than  in  almost  any  other  section  of 
till'  iiorlhei'ii  colonies. 

lu  comiexion  with  the  trouhl(>s  which  every  man  of  ordinary 
sa<,nicity  coidd  not  hui  perceive  wei'e  li  nueiitiii:i-.  Sir  Willitun 
visited  i']niL(land  for  the  last  time  in  the  Auliimn  of  1773, 
returniiiLT  in  the  succ^ecdiii':;- SpriiiL;'.  He  proliahly  came  hack 
with  his  loval  feelings  somewhat  strenglheii(;il.  It  was  not 
his  fortinie,  how(!ver,  u'ood  or  ill,  to  see  the  hreaking  out  of 
tlie  tempest,  the  near  approaches  of  wdiich  he  had  heeii  A\aleh- 
iug  M'iih  an  intenseni'ss  of  oliservalion  correspondiim'  with  tlio 
magnitude  of  his  own  personal  interests,  which  must  necessa- 
rily hi;  involvcil.  lie  (lied  suddeidy,  al  .lohusou  Ifall,  on  or 
ahitut  the  lilih  of  June,  177  I. 

It  was  reported  hy  his  enemies,  or  rather  hy  the  enemies  of 
the  ("irown, — that  Ik.'  ])erished  hy  his  own  hand,  in  conserpienco 
of  the  clouds  which  he  sawdarkeniug  the  political  sky  ;  and  such 
an  impression  is  yet  very  generally  entertained,  The  tradition 
is,  that  on  the  day  of  his  decease  he  had  received  di-spatches 
from  lOngliiiid,  which  were  jiandcd  to  him  while  siltiuir  in 
("ourt,  and  with  which  he  immediately  Iffl  the  ( "ourt-house  and 
Walked  to  his  own  lu)use.  These  despatches,  it  was  afteiward 
reported,  coulaincd  iiistnictious  to  him  lo  nsi;  his  iiilliienco 
with  the  Indians  m  hehalf  of  the  Crown,  in  the  event  of  hos- 
tilities. Another  version  of  the  tradition  is,  that  on  the  day  in 
question  he  had  received  despatches  from  Hoston,llie  complexion 
of  which.  III  his  own  mind,  indicated  that  a  civil  war  was  near 
and  iiitJVitahle.  In  such  an  event  he  saw  that  he  must  either 
prove  recreant  lo  his  principles,  or  take  pari  against  ilin 
Oown  ;  and,  to  avoid  either  alternative,  it  has  been  extensively 


H) 


nh 


'1, 
.i, ':■:!■ 

Ill 


\-i 


'l!i, 
|i  nil 


Mm 


32  LIFE   OP   BRANT.  [1774. 

believed  that  he  put  an  end  to  liis  life.*  But  there  is  no  just 
ground  for  this  uncharitable  conclusion.  It  is  true  that  he  had, 
on  tlie  evening  of  the  21th,  received  despatches  from  j\Iassa- 
cliusetts,  the  tenor  of  whicii,  by  excitement,  may  have  hasten- 
ed the  malady  to  which  iiis  system  was  predisposed.  It  was  a 
busy  day  at  Johnstown.  The  (Circuit  (^'ourt  was  in  session, 
at  which,  however,  Sir  William  was  U(n  present,  heing  engaged 
in  holding  a  treaty  with  some  of  the  Six  Niilions.  In  the 
course  of  his  speech  to  the  Indians  on  that  occasion,  he  alluded 
to  the  despatches  he  had  received,  and  stated  to  them  that 
troubles  were  brewing  between  the  Americans  and  their  King 
— advising  them  not  to  abandon  the  cause  of  the  latter,  who 
liad  always  been  benevolent  and  kind  to  th(;m,  "AViiatever 
may  hai)pen,"  said  the  JJaronet,  "you  must  not  be  shaken  out 
of  your  shoes. "'t 

In  the  adernoon  of  diat  day  Sir  AVilliani  was  taken  with  a 
lit.  Colonel  Johnson,  his  son.  was  absent  at  tlie  Old  Fort — dis- 
tant nine  miles.  An  express  was  si'Ut  for  him,  and,  mounting 
a  lleet  I'iUglish  blood-horse,  he  rtxle  for  the  Hall  with  all  possi- 
ble haste.  His  horsu  lei  1  dead  when  within  tbreiMpiarlrrs  of 
a  mile  ofthehous(!,  having  rmi  upward  of  eight  miles  in  tilteeu 
)nimites.  'The  Colonel  hireil  the  horse  of  some  one  slandiug 
by,  and  pushed  (brward  to  (he  Hall.  On  eiileriug  the  room, 
lie  foimd  his  fatlu'r  in  the  arms  of  a  liiithful  domestic,  who  at- 
tended upon  his  person.  He  spoke  to  his  parent,  but  received 
no  answer ;  nnd  in  a  few  minutes  afterward  the  Haronet  ex- 
j)ire(l].— ot  apoplexy,  beyond  a  doid)t.  'IMiis  was  early  in  the 
(>vening.  While  the  judges  of  the  (.\»urt  wen;  at  supper  in  the 
village,  one  mile  distant,  a  young  .Mohawk  Indian  entered  their 
Jipartm(>nt  and  announced  the  event. 

Sir  AVilliamwas  succeeded  in  his  titles  and  estates  by  his 

♦  Mr.  ruiiipliiH,  in  liin  "Annuls,"  fuvom  tlii'<  tipinioii.  Ili'  Hiiys — "Tlirro  \a 
MDinclliini;  still  myHti'iinnw  ('(nuu'clnl  willi  liis  (Ifiilli.  lie  luid  Ipccn  out  lo  I'nuluiKl, 
(uiil  ri'turiii'ii  till'  |.r('vniu<  Sprinj;.  I  Miring  ii  visit  wliicli  In;  mmic  Mlmrtly  ullcruiird 
to  Mr.  (^;um|il)i'll,  nn  intimuto  iVii'iid  of  liin  at  Sihrnocfady,  tlio  convfrHiitioii  (iiriird 
npim  till'  snl'jrct  iif  tlie  dispntc^  lictwi'cn  tlii^  CnlonicH  und  tlin  Motlirr  Cduntry, 
III',  Ihi'ii  (mill,  /ii'  fihiii.lil  i\iri  r  livr  In  srr  I'inn  hi  a  slulr  nl  i>i>n\  icur." — ,7iiii.  /i.  IvJ. 

f  MS.  Hlnti'nii  nl  ol'n  prntlcnmn  wIionii  liitlirr  whh  with  Sir  William llml  morning, 
and  nuM  prcHi'iil  at  llii'  Imlian  ( 'niincil. 

[  MS.  sialniii'iil  ii('('iiluii(.'l  William  Feclor,  in  poKHl•sl^ionll^tlll!  atillior.  Col.  V. 
Uycllivinjs  'Muy,  1S37.) 


y 


'?* 


[1774. 

ro  is  no  just 

'  tli;xt  he  liad, 

from  Massa- 

liave  liasten- 

'd.     It  was  a 

s  in  session, 

ing  enjrno-ed 

'lis.     In  the 

1,  ho  alhidod 

r»  tlieni  rhat 

their  Kinjr 

latter,  who 

"  Wiiatever 

shaken  out 

tlceii  wilh  ;i 
I  i'Y)rt— (hs- 
1,  inonnliiig 
Ih  all  jjossi- 
quarters  of 
esin  fifteen 
ne  s(aiuhn>>' 
;■  the  room, 
tic,  wiio  at- 
ut  received 
l{aronet  ex- 
n\']y  in  tho 
I'Jter  in  iho 
ilei'i'd  ilicir 


tcs  by  Iiis 

H— "Tlirro  ia 
tt  lo  Knuliind, 
rlly  iiDcruiird 
r.Hiitum  liiiiicti 
llirr  Coiititry. 
-.tini.  p,  12. 
llmt  iiioriiing, 

tlior.    Col.  P. 


1774.] 


SIR    JOHN    JOHNSON. 


33 


son,  Sir  Jolni  Johnson  ;  but  the  reins  of  antliority,  as  General 
Supcrintendant  of  the  Indian  Dejiartmoit,  It'll  into  the  hands 
of  the  son-in-law  of  .Sir  William,  Colonel  Guy  Johnson,  who 
liad  long  ])een  in  ollicc  as  tlie  Assistant,  or  l)e])u(y  of  the  old 
IJaronet.  This  oliicer  was  assisted  by  Colonel  Daniel  Clans, 
who  had  likt.nvise  married  a  dauirhter  of  Sir  William.  (Jn  the 
decease  of  his  liither,  Sir  .lohn  also  succeeded  to  his  post  as 
Major  General  of  tin;  militia. 

Of  the  early  lile  of  Sir  John  Johnson  not  much  is  known. 
He  was  not  as  poj)ular  as  his  l'ath(n',  being  less  social,  and  less 
aecpiainted  with  human  nature  and  the  springs  of  human 
action,  lb'  a(('()m])aui('d  his  liither  on  some  of  his  warlike  ex- 
p(}ditions  however,  and  jjrobably  saw  eoe  iderable  service. 
Soon  alh'r  the,  lerminalion  of  the  French  war,  he  was  sent  by 
his  liither,  at  thi>  heiid  of  a  small  expedilion,  to  tlu;  Mohawk  can- 
ton of  Oghkwaga,*  to  arrest  a  Cajilaiu  ihdl,  and  some  other 
malcoMtcuts  and  disalfiM'ti'd  ludians,  who  were  charged  with 
being  engaged  in  uu  cllbrt  tornlisi  iIk;  Six  A'ations  in  a  wiU' 
against  some  other  Indians,  or  possibly  to  wiu  llicmoverto  tho 
designs  of  Pouliac.  l''or  this  purpose  yuim^'  .b)lmson  had  a 
choice  corps  of  men  placeel  under  his  commaud,  most  of  whom 
had  served  with  the  JJaroiKM  against  the  I'reneh.  lb'  bad  also 
a  detachment  of  ludians  witli  him.  TIkj  exfiedition  was  ar- 
ranged somewhat  with  a  view  of  tlisplay--for  the  pinjiose,  as 
it  was  oonji'clured,  of  giving  eclat  to  the  yomig  commander. 
The  enterprise  was  snecessfnl — Hull  and  his  adherents  were 
taken,  and  brought  in  irons  to  Johnstown.  J-'roin  thence  they 
were  seiU  to  Albauy  and  imprisoueil  j'or  a  lime,  but  were  all 
subsetpieiitly  discharged.  Hefore  the  Ri'voliition  coinmeneed, 
Sir  John  married  Miss  Mary  Walts,  of  l!ie  city  of  Ni«w-\'ork.t 

The  successors  of  Sir  William  .b)hnson  did  not,  however,  pos- 
.sess  the  same  degree  of  moral  power  over  the  population  of 
Tryon  (^oiinty,  Indian  or  white,  as  had  been  exercised  by  him. 
Hut  they  nevertheless  derivi^d  essential  aid  from  "Miss  Molly," 

♦  Tho  ttutiior  liiiR  found  iiiucii  ilinU-ulty  in  atlonipling  to  dolornunf  tlio  orliuigrtt- 
pliy  of  this  phu'i'.  Ft  in  now  Rrnornlly  wiittcn  ( >iiiiagii.  In  Uio  ( 'onfrnsiMonul  jmir, 
naJM  111' tJii'  lltV()|iitii)ii  i(  vviii*  HpcUi'd  ( )ii(U(iiiiiuu.  Ily  miiiio  writi.'iH  il  in  written 
ni;li.pm-:ii.  The  late  lii^lily  intdliL^iMit  Moliawk  chid',  Norton,  always  wrotu  it 
Ofjhlovnuu,  winch  oithoifnipiij  has  Ihlii  ndupti'd  liy  tlio  author. 

t  Sinter  toOio  latu  vcnurablo  John  Watts,  who  dial  in  St'iitcnibor,  li)30. 


i  'I'iir  !;■ 


! 


34 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1774. 


H 


I*'!" 


'  '    il 


flil^i.^: 


^;!lM'i 


'I  I 


i( 


who  was  a  woman  of  talonts  as  well  as  tact,  and  possessing 
great  iullucnce  ainonu'  the  Iiuliaiis,  who  were  her  own  ])Cople. 
Molly  was  in  turn  aided  by  the  counsels  and  exertions  of  lier 
brother,  Joscpli  Thayendanegea,  who  had  been  nmcli  in  the  ser- 
vice of  Sir  William  during  the  latter  years  of  his  life,  and  who, 
on  the  death  of  the  IJaronet,  was  advanced  to  the  post  of  Secretary 
of  Guy  Johnson.  These  gentlemen,  however,  (Sir  John  John- 
son, (Juy  Johnst)n,  and  ("oloni'l  ( 'lans.)  living  in  great  si)len- 
dour,  at,  and  in  the  nei^-hbourhood  of  Johnstown,  and  thus  allied 
with  the  liunily  of  a  ])o\verful  ^Mohawk  sachem,  were  still  ena- 
bled to  exert  a  decided  inlluence,  especially  among  the  Indians. 
They  were  lik(>\\'isc  in  close  ollicial  and  political  allian  with 
Colonel  John  IJutler,  an  opulent  and  iutluential  gentleman  of 
that  county,  and  his  son  Waller  X.  Under — Ucunes  rentlered 
memorable,  if  nolhing  worse,  by  association  with  certain  l)loody 
transactions,  which  will  be  developed  in  the  progress  of  the  prc- 
seiU  volume. 

IJut,  notwithslanding  all  their  influenco — and  no  family  in 
America  hatl  ever  been  rcLiarded  with  gr(N\ter  deference  by  the 
surrounding  ])oj)nlatiou  than  tliat  of  the  Johnsons — they  wert; 
not  long  in  disfoveriuir  that  die  ])rinciples  now  openly  avowed 
in  Massachusetis,  could  nol  be  conlined  widiin  the  limits  o['  that 
colony,  or  even  of  .\e\v  Mngland.  'J'hoiigh  less  openly  uw)- 
claimed.  yet  a'-;  ihe  waters  of  a,  lliunlain  ooze  through  the  earth 
unse(>n  uiUil  they  have  gathennl  force  ennngh  to  break  Ihe 
smi'ace  and  gush  lortli.  so  was  it  with  the  principles  of  l,iberty 
seiU  abroad  by  "the  Hosion  rebels,"'  as  (hey  worked  their  way 
up  till'  valley  of  the  Molmwk  ;  and  the  successors  of  Sir  Wil- 
liam Johnson  were  not  Ioiil:'  in  diseoveriug,  that  although  (lu>y 
could  still  eoinit  among  llieir  retainers  a  larii'e  number  of  ad- 
herents, the  le!iA'(>n  of  civil  libertv  had  nevertheless  been  nion; 
(lei>p|y  jtt  work"  than  they  liad  desireil,  or  probid)ly  supjiosed. 
The  ci'lebrated  "  IJostoil  I'oi't  |}ill,""  enacted  in  couse<pieiice  of 
the  dcsirnetioii  oftli"  tea  in  that  harbour  in  177!',  luid  i^'one  into 
ojieriiiion  only  a  nionili  preeeiling  tin'  death  of  Sir  \\  iiliain  ; 
and  ill  the  next  month  subse(|l|ent  to  his  deeeiise,  a  pultlii'  nieei- 
iug  was  held  in  the  l^ilatint;  district,  warmly  seconding  the 
pri^posilion  of  .Massaelmsetts  for  the  as.sembliiiu'  of  a  geiierul 
(.'oiiLiress,  I'or  mutual  consultation  and  eounsel  in  the  existing 
])0!5lure  v)f  till!  polilicul  alfairs  ol  the  Colomcs.     Tito  originid 


^ 


[1774. 


1774.] 


SflRIT    OF    TRYON    COUNTY. 


35 


I  possessing 
3\vn  ])oople. 
tioiis  of  her 

I I  ill  the  ser- 
e,  and  wlio, 
if.Secretiiry 
.K»liii  Juliii- 
xmvi  s])leii- 
Itiiiis  allied 
re  still  ena- 
he  Indians. 
ian  widi 
ntlenian  of 
s  rendered 
tain  liloody 

'■  of  the  pre- 

>  family  in 

nee  by  tlio 

-they  were 

ly  a\-o\\'ed 

iit>  of  diat 

pcniy  pH)- 

die  earth 

Imc'iIc  tlio 

'f  liiherly 

lii'ir  \\ay 

Sn-  Wil- 

nu'li  diey 

'I'v  of  ad- 

'I'n  more 

iipposcd, 

Ui'liec  nf 

one  inio 

|\  illiai,!  ; 

i<'  mri't- 

|iie;'  tli(^ 

l.li'i'iHTal 

■\islin,i»- 

iui-iinal 


draft  of  the  prncccdinfjs  of  that  nicetinir  is  yet  in  existence,  in 
the  hand-writinix  of  ("ol.  Christopher  P.  Yates -a  patriot  who 
embarkcil  earlv^  in  the  struirul*',  and  served  to  the  end.  They 
breathed  the  ijennine  spirit  of  freedom,  and  as  a  declaration  of 
rifrhts,  are  well  entitled  to  a  place  anion^-  the  fervid  papers  of 
that  day,  wliich  were  so  powerliil  in  their  operation  upon  the 
public  mind.  After  ,settin<r  forth  the;  concern  and  sorrow  felt 
by  ilie  meetinLT,  at  the  shutting-  up  the  port  of  Hoston,  and  the 
tendency  of  the  acts  of  Parliament  for  raisinir  a  revenue  in  the 
American  Colonies,  which  they  held  to  be  an  ;d)ridy-ment  of 
the  ])rivileires  of  the  people,  the  nleelin^•  resolved:  1st. 'IMiat 
they  rcco()-nised  tlie  King  as  their  lawful  sovereign,  would  bear 
true  faith  and  idlegiance  to  him,  and  would,  with  their  lives  and 
fortunes,  sup|»ort  and  maintain  him  on  the  tiu'one  of  his  ances- 
tors, and  tlio  JKsf  dependence  of  the  Colonies  upon  the  crown 
of  (Jreat  JJritain.  :id.  That  they  considered  it  their  greatest 
happiness  to  be  governed  by  IJritish  laws,  and  would  pay  cheer- 
ful sidtmission  to  them,  as  I'ar  as  they  could  do  so.  consistently 
willi  the'  security  of  tlie  Consfitntioiial  rights  ot'  IjUglish  sub- 
jects, '•  irhicli  ircrc  so  sfirrol  llial  lU<  ij  coiihl  nnl  jh  rinil  ihviii 
to  be  viohitvti."'  lid.  That  idl  t.ixes  witliont  their  own  consent, 
ortli(!  consent  ol'tlicir  rejirescnliitives,  were  unjust  ami  uncon- 
stitutional; and  the  acts  of  Parliament  U|)on  the  subject  were 
denonneed,  as  obvious  encroachments  u|)on  thi;  rinhts  and  li- 
berties of  Hritish  subjects.  Itli.  That  the  act  closinii-  the  port 
of  Boston  was  arbitrary  iiiid  oppressive  to  tin;  inhaliiliiuts.  whom 
they  considered  to  lu;  sullering  in  the  eonnnon  cause.  5th. 
That  tluy  woidd  unite  with  their  brethren  elsewlier(>.  in  re-  ' 
lieving  the  neeessitie's  of  the  snlferinii'  po(U'  in  IJosion,  and  ui 
'•any  thing  tending  to  support  our  rights  and  liberties."'  (»tli. 
Approving  of  iIk;  calling  of  a,  general  ('ongress,  and  ot'tlie  live 
members  who  had  already  been  appointed  by  their  brethren  of 
New-N'orlc.  7tli.  That  they  would  abide  by  sneh  regulations 
n.s  might  be  aurci'd  upon  hy  the  said  Conu-ress.  Sth.  A|)point- 
ing  II  eoiiimiU<>e  oi'eorrespondci  ce  tor  that  district,*  and  reeom- 
intMidinu'  the  other  districts  ot'the  eoniUy  to  do  the  smue. 

The  Congress  met  in  Philadelphia  m  September,  1771.  and 
after  udupling  a  declaration  of  rights,  and  setting  forth  wherein 

♦  CliiistiipliLT  r.  Vulcs,  Isaau  Purls,  and  Joiiii  Froy. 


II  •( 


»  "ri 


i  (!   ■!  il    i 


r 

1 

'   '1   il    :.l 

1 

•1 

1 

1 

\i 


36 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1774. 


those  rights  had  l)Ocn  violated,  they  agreed  upon  an  address  to 
the  King,  exhibiting  the  grievances  of  the  Colonies,  and  praying 
for  liis  Ahijesty's  interposition  lor  their  removal.  An  address 
to  the  j)eople  of  llritisli  America  was  likewise  adopted,  together 
with  an  appeal  to  the  people  of  Great  Britain,  as  also  a  letter 
to  the  people  of  Canada.*  The  (Congress  then  adjourned,  to 
meet  again  in  3hiy,  1775.  The  paj)ers  put  forth  from  that 
august  assembly  had  a  powerhd  cltect  upon  the  public  mind. 
They  were  also  highly  extolled  by  Lord  Chatham  in  the 
Mouse  of  Peers,  who  declared,  that  "  In  all  his  reading  andob- 
"servation — and  it  had  been  his  favourite  study — for  he  had 
"read  Thucydides,  and  had  studied  and  admired  the  master 
"states  of  the  world — lor  solidity  of  reasoning,  force  of  saga- 
"city,  and  wisdom  of  conclusion,  under  such  complication  of 
"circumstances,  no  nation  or  body  of  men  could  stand  in 
"preference  to  the  General  Congress  at  Philadelphia. "t 

The  Provincial  Assembly  of  i\(!w-York  was  the  only  le- 
gislitturc  in  the  (Colonies  that  withheld  its  a))probation  from  the 
proceedings  of  the  Congress — the  loyalists  of  that  Colony  being, 
from  a  variety  of  causes,  more  numerous  and  inlluential  than 
in  any  other  of  the  ])rovinces.  In  the  \  alley  of  the  IMohawlc 
they  wm'c  particularly  zealous  and  ac'ive ;  and  the  Johnson 
family,  with  their  associates,  were  ceaseless  in  their  etl'orts  to 
divert  the  revolutionary  .spirit,  which  was  but  too  obviously 
abroad. 

IJnt  like  the  bitter  plant  in  the  vegetable  pharmacopoeia,  the 
principles  of  liberty  only  thrive  more  rai)idly  beneath  a  pres- 
sure, and  the  s])ark  which  had  been  struck  in  the  Palatine 
district,  they  not  only  lound  it  impossible  to  extinguish,  but  a 
measure  of  their  own  ado]ition  had  the  etfect  of  kindling  it  into 
a  bla/(! — and,  once  kindled,  the  lire  of  liberty  is  as  inextinguish- 
able as  the  Greek. 

In  jMassacl  HI  setts,  however,  otlier  menacing  measures  be- 
sides the  jiiissage  of  resolutions,  were  adopted  toward  the  dose 
of  1771.  Governor  Gage  having  issued  writs  for  the  holding 
of  a  Gi'ueral  Assembly,  in  October,  afterward  countermanded 

♦  Mr.  R.  1  f .  Log  wrotn  ilio  iitlilress  to  Ihe  American  pco[)k',  ami  Mr.  Jay  tliat  to 
the  i)('<i|ili'  (if  ( Irciil  Ilrilitiii, 
t  i'urlminenlury  Uu;;iulur. 


il 


[1774. 

address  to 
lid  praying 
Vii  address 
d,  togctlier 
Iso  a  letter 
iourned,  to 

from  that 
il)lic  mind, 
im  in  the 
nir  and  ob- 
br  lie  liad 
tlie  master 
e  of  saj^n- 
lication  of 
.  stand  in 
.."t 

3  only  lo- 
1  from  the 
sny  being, 
iitial  than 
;  IMohawlf 

Johnson 

e [forts  to 
obvionsly 

pcnia,  the 
I  a  pres- 
Palatino 
sli,  lint  a 
ng  it  into 
tin,<^-uish- 

;nrts  be- 

the  elosn 

holding 

nianded 

Juv  tliat  to 


1774.] 


SPIRIT    OF    THE    COLOXIKS. 


37 


2fSI 


the  writs  by  proclamation.  But  the  new  members,  to  the 
number  of  ninety,  maintaining  the  illesjulity  of  the  proelama- 
tion.  met  notwithstanding.  Neither  the  (Governor,  nor  any 
substitute,  appearing  to  complete  their  organization,  they 
formed  Iheniselves  into  a  Provincial  (Jonirfess,  and  adjourned  U) 
(.'oncord.  From  Concord,  alter  some  collisions  with  the  (io- 
vornor,  they  removed  to  Cambridge  ;  and  in  the  course  of  their 
sittings  measures  were  adopted  for  the  public  defence,  .uid  the 
organization  of  minute  men,  to  the  mimber  of  twelve  thousand. 
Connecticut  and  New  Hamjishire  were  rerpiested  to  iuigment 
the  number  to  twenty  thousand.  Governor  Gage  complained 
bitt(niy  that  the  edicts  of  this  Congress  w<  •  implicitly  obeyed 
throngbout  the  country.  Before  the  year  had  expired,  a  royal 
proclamation  was  received,  prohibiting  the  exportation  of  mili- 
tary stores  to  Americii.  This  documeiU  caused  general  iudig- 
naliou.  Ill  llhode  Island  and  ?V(!W  llampshire  tlu^  people'  at 
once  seized  upon  the  arms  and  ordnance  in  tlu.'ir  public  plaees 
and  garrisons,  and  other  corresponding  measures  were  adopted 
by  the  Colonial  authoriti(,'s.  Jii  the  more  Southern  pnuiuces 
signs  of  jealousy  and  discontent  began  to  be  mon;  nni'(|iiivo- 
cally  manifested.  A  meeting  of  the  military  ollicers  of  \  ii- 
ginia,  under  Lord  Dimmore,  was  held,  at  which  resolutions, 
professing  loyalty  and  looking  rebellion,  were  adojited.  'TIk; 
Provincial  Congress  of  ^laryland  approved  of  the  ])roceediiig.s 
of  the  Cfcneral  Congress;  and  in  South  Carolina,  Jiidire  Day- 
ton, in  ;i  memorable  charge  to  a  (Jraud  Jury  at  ( 'anideii,  set  the 
ball  in  motion  in  that  Colony.  Doctor  l''raiiklin,  being  in  Lou- 
don, was  requiriid  to  attend  a  meeliii^r  of  the  Comiiiitte(>  fur 
Plantations,  to  whom  had  been  referred  tbe  j)etitioii  of  tbr 
Massachusetts  Assembly  lor  the  removal  of  (JoveriK.r  ifiiteb- 
inson  and  I.icutenant-Governor  Oliver.  |[e  supported  ibc 
))etition,  and  was,  the  day  after,  dismissed  by  the  Crown  li(i;u 
tlu!  ollice  of  jtostiuaster  for  the  (.\)lonies. 

It  may  readily  be  conceived  that  an  exeitemeut  thus  imreas- 
ing  from  day  to  day,  and  thus  rajtidly  exti>ndiii-;  the  eircle  of 
its  inlluence,  would  not  long  be  confined  to  measures  of  re- 
monstrance and  petition.  Most  unfortunate  was  it,  fherelbre, 
that,  just  at  this  coiijunctinv,  while  nil  sagacious  men  saw  by 
the  shadows  what  events  were  coming,  and  all  good  men  were 


f 


38 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1774. 


I* 


;.';i 


solicitous  for  the  preservation  of  tlic  character  and  angmcnta- 
tion  of  the  physical  strength  of  the  country,  n.  ■'•'M\  baud 
of  had  ones  adopted  a  course  well  iitted  to  ;"■  ..ken  tho 
jealousy  of  the  whole  Indian  race,  and  exasperate  a  ,  oriion  of 
them  to  the  highest  pitch  of  anger  and  revenge.  It  was  evi- 
dent that  the  Colonies  were  about  to  nieasure  swords  with  one 
of  tlie  strongest  jiowers  in  Christendom,  and  to  strike  for  free- 
dom. True  wisdom,  therefore,  required  that  the  clouds  of 
Indians  darkening  more  than  a  thousand  miles  of  our  border, 
and  in  tin)  North  Ibrming  an  intermediate  power  between  our 
own  settlements  and  tho  country  of  the  anticipated  foe,  slioidd 
be  at  least  conciliated  into  neutrality,  if  not  courted  into  an  al- 
liance, lint  a  contrary  course  was  taken  by  some  of  the  fron- 
tier-men of  Virginia,  and  a  hostile  feeling  awakened  by  a 
succession  of  outrages,  unprovoked  and  more  cruel  than  sava- 
ges, as  such,  could  have  committed.  The  well-informed  reader 
will  at  once  anticipate  that  reference  is  now  hud  to  the  hostili- 
ties upon  the  North-western  frontier  of  Virginia,  commonly 
known  as  Cuhsap's  "War,  from  the  agency  of  a  subaltern  ofli- 
cer  of  that  name,  whose  wanton  cruelty  provoked  it.  and  one 
striking  event  of  which  has  rendered  every  American  car 
familiar  with  the  name  of  Logax,  the  celebrated  "  Mingo 
Chief.'"* 

Tiie  wars  and  the  conquests  of  the  Six  Nations  had  been  the 
cause  of  transplanting  many  families,  among  whom  were  some 
of  distinction,  over  the  countries  subjected  to  their  arms. 
Among  these  was  the  family  of  Logan,  the  son  of  Shi/cclli/mts^t 
a  distini,niished  Cayuga  sachem,  who  had  removed  from  the 
particular  location  of  his  own  tribe,  to  Shamokin,  or  Canestoga, 
within  tlic  l)orders  of  Pennsylvania,  where  he  executed  the 
duties  fif  principal  chief  of  those  of  the  Six  Nations  residing  on 
the  Susquehanna.  He  was  a  man  of  consequence  and  human- 
ity, and  one  of  the  earliest  to  encourage  the  introduction  of 
Christianity  by  Count  Zinzendorf.  Ho  Avas  a  great  friend  to 
the  celebrated  James  Logan,  who  accompanied  William  Penn 


♦  Mini^o,  Mciigwc,  Rtutiuas,  and  Iro(]uois,  arc  all  only  diircrcnt  names  apiilicd 
to  the  Six  Nations. 

I  SliiLdtiiiiHi  was  a  contemporary  of  the  famous  Cai)nassates:o,  and  is  known  in 
Coltliii's  I  lisiory  ofliio  Six  Nations  by  the  difllrcnt  names  ol'  Shickcalamy,  Shicala- 
my,  and  Hhick  Culamy. — Drake. 


1 


;  'iiih 


[1774. 

iigincnta- 
•;iil  bnuii 
.';i'U  the 
orLion  of 
,  was  cvi  ■ 
with  one 
3  for  fice- 
:loads  of 
ir  border, 
.vcoii  our 
le,  should 
ulo  uu  al- 
thc  froii- 
icd  by  a 
luui  sava- 
ed  reader 
le  hostiU- 
oiumoiily 
Item  offi- 

and  one 
•icau  car 

"  Minf^o 

been  the 
ere  sonic 
'ir  arms. 

■Iluntis,t 

Voni  the 

nestoira, 

uted  the 

liding  on 

hunian- 

Iction  of 

friend  to 

Im  Penn 

lies  apiilicd 

known  in 
[/,  IShicala- 


1771.] 


STORY    01-'    l.OGAX. 


;5'j 


on  his  last  voyage  to  America,  and  wlio  subsequently  became 
distinguished  in  the  colony  lor  his  learning  and  benevolence. 
Hence  the  name  of  the  famous  son  of  Shikellimus,  so  closely 
identified  with  the  scenes  about  to  be  described, 

Lotran  had  removed  from  liis  fathers  lodge  at  Shamokiii  to 
the  Shawanese  country  on  the  Ohio,  where  he  had  become  a 
chief  lie  was  a  friend  of  the  white  men,  and  one  of  the  no- 
blest of  his  race  ;  not  only  by  right  of  birtli,  but  in  consideration 
of  his  own  character.  During  the  Indian  wars  connected  with 
the  contest  with  France,  which  were  continued  for  a  consider- 
able time  alter  the  comiuest  of  Canada,  he  took  no  part,  save  in  . 
the  character  of  a  peace-maker. 

The  circumstances  which  transformed  this  good  and  just 
mini  I'rom  a  sincere  friend  into  a  Ijitter  foe,  will  ap|i(!ar  in  the 
following  narrative : — It  liappMied  in  April  or  ]May  of  1774, 
tliat  a  party  of  land-job1)ers,  while  engaged  in  exploring  huids 
near  the  (,)hio  river,  were  robbed,  or  pretended  to  have  iiecn 
robbed,  of  a  luimber  of  horses  by  the  Indians.  The  leader  of 
the  land-jobbers  was  Captain  Michael  (."resap.  Alarmed  ;it  the 
depredation  upon  their  property,  or  allecting  to  be  so,  (.'resap 
and  his  party  determined  to  make  war  upon  the  Indians,  with- 
out investigation,  and  irrespective,  as  a  matter  of  course,  of 
the  guilt  or  imiocence  of  those  whom  they  should  attack.  On 
the  same  day,  falling  in  with  two  Indians,  (Jresap  and  his  men 
killed  them.  Hearing,  moreover,  of  a  still  larger  parly  of  In- 
dians encamped  at  some  distance  below  the  site  of  the  present 
town  of  Wheeling,  the  white  barbarians  proceeded  thither,  and 
after  winning  the  confidence  of  the  .sons  of  the  forest  by  pre- 
tended friendship,  tell  upon  and  slaughtered  several  of  their 
number,  among  whom  were  a  part  of  the  liunily  of  the  white 
mans  friend — Logan.* 

Soon  after  this  atrocious  affair,  another  followed,  equally  fla- 
gitious. There  was  a  white  settlement  on  the  east  bank  of  the 
Ohio,  about  thirty  miles  above  Wheeling,  among  the  leading 
men  of  which  were  one  named  Daniel  Cireathouse,  and  another 
named  Tomlinson.     A  party  of  Indians,  assembled  on  the  opjm- 

•  Doddridge,  in  his  History  of  the  Indian  Wars,  states  that  no  rvidiNicc  oC  tiic  im- 
puted theft  was  ever  adduced  ;  and  atlirnis  his  bi'liof  t!ial  the  report  was  false,  and 
the  Indiana  innocent,  even  of  a  com|iarntivcly  minor  trcspiis». 

10 


'    11 


Hf  '  '.''i 


h 


ill 


1 1  It' 


40 


l.ll'i;    (IK    IIUANT. 


[1774. 


5iite  bank  of  the  r'Vfr,  luiviiii!:  lirard  of  tlic  murders  corfiiiiitted 
l)y  Crcsai),  clL'teniiiiHxl  lo  avenue  tlieir  death,  of  whieli  rosohi- 
tion  Greathonse  was  admonished  hy  a  friendly  S(|nnu'.  \v!io  ad- 
vised him  to  esea|)(>,  while  he  was  recomioitrimi;  for  (lie  jxirposc 
of  ascertJiinin*^  their  nnmhers.  lie,'  had  er-ssed  the  river  with 
thirty-two  men  imder  his  eommand.  and  stcretcd  diem  for  the 
]>tir})ose  of  faIlinij;ii,ion  the  Indiiuis  ;  hut  fnidin;^' that  they  were 
(oo  strong  for  him,  ho  ehaiiueil  liis  plan  of  operations,  re-crossed 
the  river,  and,  with  a  show  of  friendshiji,  juviled  them  over  to 
an  entertainment.  Without  suspieion  of  treachery  the  ImhauM 
ticcepted  die  invitation,  and  while  emrai^^ed  in  drinkiiiir — some 
(tf  tin m  to  a  state  of  intoxiciilion — they  were  set  n|Kin  and 
iiuirdered  in  cold  hlood.  Here  ii;:ain.  tell  two  more  t»f  the 
family  ol'  l,on-aii  -a  brother  and  sister,  the  latter  beiiiL;'  in  u 
situation  of  j)eeuliar  delieaey.  TIk;  Indians  who  iiad  remained 
on  tiie  other  side  of  the  river,  hearini.''  the  noise  ol"  tlie  trea- 
cherous attack,  llew  to  tlieir  eanoi's  to  rescue  tlieir  friends. 
'This  movement  had  been  aiilieipated  ;  and  sharpshooters,  sta- 
tioned in  ambuscade,  shot  mimbers  ol'  them  in  their  canoes, 
and  compelled  the  others  lo  retuiu. 

These  dastartll)  Iraiisactions  were  euacled  dii  the  ;i  lib  of 
j\Iay,  They  were  soon  tollowrd  by  another  oiilra^'e,  wliieb, 
thoiiL;h  of  less  mai;iiiludc.  was  not  less  alrceioiis  in  its  spirit, 
while  It  was  e\-eii  more  baildWiliL!'  lo  the  li'ehnus  ol' ibc  h  id  i  a  lis. 
Till'  event  reji'rred  lo  was  the  murder,  by  a  wlillr  liiaii.  of  an 
ayed  and  moll'eusive  Delaware  chief  named  the  Ihihl  /Ja^-ir. 
He  had  for  years  consorted  iiku'c  wilh  the  while  jieoplc  than 
his  own.  visiiiii'^r  those  niost  freepienlly  who  eiileilaini d  him 
best.  At  (lie  tune  of  his  iniirder  he  had  been  on  a  visit  lo  the 
fori  al  th(!  Morlh  of  the  Kanlmwa,  mid  was  killed  while  alone, 
paddliin^r  his  canoe.  The  niaii  who  cnmiiiiiird  the  murder,  it 
was  said,  had  been  a  snll'erer  at  the  hands  ol  the  Indians  ;  Imt 
lie  had  nevi'r  been  ininred  by  the  object  npi»ii  whom  lie  wreaked 
his  veiii;-eaiice.  Afler  teariiiii"  llie  ^(^•||p  from  Ins  head,  the 
while  savitye  placed  the  body  in  a  silliiiir  posture  in  the  canoe, 
and  scut  It  adrifl  down  the  streiun.  The  voyaife  of  the  deail 
chief  was  observed  by  uiiUiy,  who  sii|iposed  him  hviiij^r,  uiul 
upon  one  ol  Ins  ordinary  excnrsion.s.  When,  liowever,  the 
(\vri\  became  Idiowu,  his  nation   were  not  slow  in  avowids  of 


H 


•s  corrmiitted 

liit'Ii  rt'solii- 

law,  u'lio  nd- 

(liii  ])(irp(ise 
n:  river  \\'itl( 
iliciii  for  llic 
lit  (Ik.'V  wen: 
IS,  re-ornssctl 
llicin  over  to 

tlie  fiiduiih! 
ik'iii^'  -  soiiie 
't   iipoii  and 

IMOl'L'  of    lilt.' 

•  Ik'Iiil;    in  a 

ad  rciiiaiiicd 

(»r  tlif  iTfii- 

ticii'   Iriciids. 

^ll(»l)tl'^S,    ,S|i|- 

[lu'ir  «.'aiiot'!:i, 

tiic  '.Mtii  (.r 

ra^v,  wind', 
ill  its  spirit, 

III)'  liidiiiiis. 
man,  of  ini 

'»</,/    lUinlf. 

|ii'.>pl('  than 

itiiiiK'd  liitii 

\  isil  U^  f||t> 

liilc  aldfic, 

murder,  it 

liiiiis  ;   lint 

le  wreaked 
iieiid,  tlie 
the  caiioe, 
•  I  the  dead 
iviii^-,  and 
'Wever,  the 
aviiwtds  of 


i       ^7'^  1-1 


CUF.SAP  S    WAR. 


n 


venireaiice.'  I'.iiiiaily  exasperated,  at  about,  the  same  time, 
were  llie  .Sliiiwaiiesc,  iii^ramsl  tin;  whiles,  by  iht;  murder  ol'  one 
(•('  their  liivdnnii!  oinels.  Silrvr  Ihrls^  who  had  in  the  kindest 
manner  imdertakeii  to  escort  several  white  traders  across  the 
woods  iVuiii  ihe  Ohio  to  AlhaiiV;  a  distance  oi' nearly  live.  Iinn- 
dred  miles.  I 

'I'lie  coiis(>t|iieii('.e  o('  these  repealed  oiKra^'es,  jicrpetrated  by 
while  bailiaiiaii>,  "'-as  the  iinmediale  coiiimi'lieeinenl  ol  an  In- 
dian war.  the  lirst  leader  ni  which  was  Lonaii.  who.  with  a. 
small  ))arly  <»!'  only  einht  warriors,  made  a  sudden  and  alto- 
i^ether  nne.xpeeied  descent  n|toii  a  .Mnskimrnin  seillenient,  with 
(.'ompleie  snccess.  Ill  the  courses  ol'  the  Slimmer  j^^'eal  iinnibers 
ol'  men,  woiiii'ii,  and  ohildreii.  lell  viciims  to  the  tomahawk  and 
scalj)iny-kiiil''',  liO^aii.  however,  ihoii^h  smarliiii;'  under  a 
keen  sense  (ii'his  own  wroiiLi's,  set  his  I'ai'c  auainsi  ilie  ]>raclico 
ol'  putting-  prisoners  to  the  torture,  so  I'ar  as  hi'  could.  In  oiio 
instance,  he  so  inslrilcled  ii  prisoner  doomed  to  run  the  ;;ailllt- 
It'l,  as  to  (Miable  him  to  escape  wilhoiil  receivilii,^  essi'iilial  iii- 
.jury.  Ill  anolher  case,  with  his  own  hand  he  severed  the  cord 
which  bonnd  a  |ii'is(iner  to  the  stake,  and  bv  his  inllneiice  [iro- 
ciirtd  Ins  adoption  into  an  Indian  I'amily, 

To  pmiish  these  atrocities,  provoked,  as  all  anlliorlties  coiienr 
in  adiniliiiit:".  by  ilie  whiles,  a,  vii^orons  cumpaiiin  was  under- 
taken by  the  ( Governor  ol'  N'iru'inia,  I ,ord  I )iiiiiiiore,  wiih  a  I'urce 
(»l  bel'.\een  two  and  three  ihonsaiid  men.  Dlevcii  hundred  of 
these  l'roviiicial<,  mostly  rilleiiirii,  and  coniprisiie^'  much  ol'llit! 
eliivalry  of  Virginia,  eoiisliiniiiiir  the  li'l'l  wiiiii'.  were  eiilrnsied 
to  ihe  command  of  (ieiieral  .\ndrew  Lewis, '  with  iiistrnctioiis 
to  march  direct  for  Point  I'leasaiit.  at  Ihe  month  ol  the  (Jreat 
Kaiihawa;  while  his  lorilslnp,  proceedin<r  with  the  ri:^lit  wiiiif, 
was  to  cross  (he  ( )hio  at  a  ln<^lier  point,  and  tall  upon  the  In- 
diaii  towns  111  their  rear,  I'or  reasons  nc'-er  satisracloriiy  ck- 
piaiiietj,  althoii^li  tjie  ciiusu  ol'  some  colli rovorsy  at  the  lime, 
tiuire  was  a  lailnre  of  the  i  \peeted  eo-opeialioil  on  the  part  of 
Lord  Dnnmore. 


♦  M'Cliina,  nucil.iil.y  Diiiki'.  |   IbMkuHcl.ltr. 

J  Aiidnw  Li'wiii  wun,  in  liu-l,  only  b  culoni'l ;  Iml  \w  wiu  in  \\w  cliii-f  comnmnd 

of  llio  .liM  11(111,  mill  11  he  liiiil  II  Imillicr,  rlmrli-  i.cwiw,  uUo  .,  culdiirl,  lii<  luis  lirm 
ili'Hiyimicil  IIS  a  <  ii  Mcrui  In  nmrti'Mj-,  aitit  lor  lliu  |)ii!|iiinu  ul'iliiliti^uiMliiiix  llio  toni« 
iiiiiiiilcr  I'roin  lliu  otliiT  culunil, 


42 


1,1  r I',    (IF'    I? KANT. 


[1774. 


li  f,i 


■''  I 


h 


CJciioral  liOwis  roinniciiccd  his  iii;irfli  on  tlio  lltli  of  .Sep- 
tember. His  course  was  direct,  tliioimli  a  trackless  wilderness, 
one  hundred  and  sixty  miles;  over  which  all  the  supi)lies  ot* 
the  army  were  necessarily  to  l)e  transported  on  pack-horses. 
The  march  was  very  slow  and  tedious — occU|n'iMir  lUi.eteen 
days.  Arrived  at  or  near  thi^  jiuiclion  ol'  the  Kanhawa  with 
the  Ohio,  f,ewis  waited  eitrlit  or  nine  da\-s  to  obtain  tidiuus 
from  liord  Dmnnore,  but  beard  not  a  syllable. 

Early  on  the  morniuijof  the  10th  of  October,  two  of  Lewis's 
scouts,  who  were  about  a  mile  in  advance,  wenHired  upon  by  n 
hu'ife  body  of  Indians;  one  of  the  scouts  was  kill(>d.  and  the  other 
escaped  to  camp  with  the  inlelli:>ence.  it  was  yet  ball  an  hour 
to  sunrise,  and  iustaiU  dispositions  were  made  to  move  ll)rward 
and  attack,  .lust  as  tlii!  sun  was  risiuii',  the  Indians,  vvbo  wert; 
advauciiiy-  u|)oii  a  like  errand,  were  met,  and  an  «'uii:au:ement 
ensued,  which  continued  with  i^ieater  or  less  severity  throui,di 
the  day.  'TIm-  Viririniaiis  had  bivoiiacki'd  u|)on  a,  poim  of  land 
between  the  two  rivers,  iriviiii,^  the  Indians  an  important  advau- 
ta!,n'  ol'  position,  inasmuch  as,  it"  (l<>|i'al»'d,  retreat  would  be  im- 
])ossible  ti)r  the  foniiei'.  while  the  latter  could  lly  at  their  plea- 
sure. Mill  sMcb  w.is  lint  (he  puri)()se  ol'  the  Indians.  Their 
numbers  havi'  been  variously  slated,  from  einiit  to  litleeii  hun- 
dred, eonsistiiisj:  of  Shawaiiese,  Delawares,  Miny;()es,  Wyandots, 
C'lyuj^as.  and  several  other  tribes,  led  in  chief  by  l.oynn,  assist- 
ed by  other  celebrated  chiefs.  amoiiL;'  whom  were  Conisfni/^y 
J!/!t  ni/isiro,  (Ins  .snii.i  and  the  i'tril  /lun/t. 

The  onset  was  impeinoiis  upon  both  swles.  ( 'ulonel  Charles 
licwis  led  the  refill  ol'  tlie  Virn'iuiiUis.  and  was  in  advance. 
lie  fell  almost  at  the  lirst  liri'.  mortally  woiilidrd,  and  shortly 
nflerwar(|  expired  liaviiiij:  walki'd  buck  to  bis  dun  camp. 
The  N'iriiiiiians,  like  ilic  Indians,  soiiirbt  every  advautatre  by 
liy'btim:' liom  iIk  shelter  of  trees  and  bushes;  but  in  the  'irst 
part  of  the  eiiua^emeiit  the  advaiitaues  were  witli  (he  Indians, 
niid  two  of  the  Viririiiia  re«>-iuien(s,  after  seven' l(»ss,  especially 
111  I'llieers,  were  compelled  to  hIvc  wiiy,  (  'oloiicl  I'leniiiiu'.  who 
commaniled  the  left,  ihoiiiiii  severely  wounded  in  (be  bet-innmiL!: 
of  (li(!  action,  by  (wo  balls  (hromrh  his  arm  and  aiiodier  ihrouirh 
the  breas(.  bravely  kept  (he  field  j'or  some  time,  elieeriliLr  Ills 
men,  and,  uiirinu-  (hem  not  (o  lose  an  inch  ol'  irronnd,  diiecd'd 
them  to  oullluidv  llie  enemy.     l)ul  tliu  iwHunll  of  (he  liahaiiij 


^Ui4|i 


[1774, 

1  of  Sep- 
ildoriipss, 
pplics  of 
i<-lioiscs. 
iiii.ctccn 
[>\v;i  with 
ill  tidiiius 

if  Lewis's 
ipnii  by  Ji 
tlic  (itlicr 
I  ill)  lioiir 
f  litrwMid 

A'llO  W('l(^ 
:rn!J:('lll('Ut 

J  llintiitrli 
III  of  hind 
lilt  iidviiii- 
Id  lie  iiii- 
licir  pU'fi- 
Tlicir 

tCM'll    llllll- 
\  \illlllolS, 

II,  iissist 
ntsfork, 

( 'luirlcs 

iltivdlK't'. 

Iinrlly 

II     Cillllp. 

Illllirc  liy 

III'  'irst 

liidiiiMS, 

■^pt'ciiilly 

iii'i,  who 

liiiiiiiii; 

hinlli^dl 

'riiiLT  Ills 
ihrcctcd 

llldiuilii 


1774.] 


BATTLE    OP   THE    KANHAWA. 


43 


Wii.s  viiroroiis  and  thoir  fin'  so  sovrrc,  Ihiit  the  l-fi.  hi«'  th"-^ 
riijlit.  was  yK'Uhnir.  whrn,  at  ihi' iimst  critical  iiKMiiriii,  ( \iloiifl 
Field's  ri'iriiiiciu  was  hroiijlit  with  irn'at  spirit  and  ri'solntioii 
into  the  action,  hy  winch  timely  inoveinciit  the  I'oiliiiit's  (tf  the 
ilay  were  retrieved.  The  iin|)eliiosityol'the  Indians  was  checked, 
iuid  they  wen'  in  turn  forced  to  retreat  -lalliiiir  I'in'k  to  avail 
tlleinsejvi's  of  a  rnde  hreasl-work  of  lo^s  and  hrnsli  wood, 
which  ihey  had  taken  the  iireeaiilioii  to  coiistriict  for  i 'le  occa- 
sion, t'ololiel  I'leld  was  killed  at  the  nioiiieiit  his  ^iilliUlt 
reii-iinenl  had  ehanun'd  the  aspect  of  the  hatiN',  and  lie  was 
succeeded  hy  ('apfain  Isaac  Slielhv,  aflerward  the  brave  and 
hardy  old  (Jovernor  ol'  Kcninck)'. 

The  liiiliaiis  made  ;i  valiant  stand  at  their  br.'ast  work,  (h' 
leiidiiiii'  ilieir  poMiKiii  nniil  iienrly  iii'iht  fall.  Tor  several  hours 
every  alleiiipl  to  dislod  mc  (hem  was  niisiici'essfid  :  tin-  saVa^'CS 
fii,diliiiu''  like  men  u  lit»  hail   iioi  only  their  soil  and   lionies  to 

j)rolcet,  bill  deep  wroiiij;s  (it  aveiiLie.     ••  The  voi if  the  mi_r|ity 

Coriislock  was  often  heard  during  the  day,  above  ihe  dm  of 
liaille.  callinii:  "i"  !•»  In"^  warriors.  '  |»e  siroiex!  |{.' siroiiLT !' 
And  when,  by  the  re|ieated  chal'.'-e  of  the  \ii"inialis.  sonic  of 
)iis  warriors  bei^aii  to  waver,  he  is  saiil  lo  have  sunk  his  itiina- 
luiwk  into  the  head  ol  a  cowaid  who  wa-.  alleiitpiniL!;  to  lly.''* 

The  action  had  continued  estreinely  hot  iiiilil  past  twelve 
o'clock,  afler  wliidi  it  was  abated  iit  inlervals,  ihoiiuli  a  scat- 
tenii'j:  lire  was  ke|il  lip  iiio>i  ol  the  time  diiriiiLT  the  day.  To- 
ward ni'ilil.  lindinu;  thai  each  siiecessive  attack  upon  the  line  of 
llie  liidiaiis  III  front  but  weikem'd  |ll^  own  '1  tee,  wiihoiii  ina- 
Ixiiiijfiiuy  jii'n't'plible  impression  upon  the  Inthaiis,  and  riijli'ly 
jnd'jiii'^'  that  if  the  latter  were  not  roiiiei'  iicfm  dark  the  con- 
test inns!  be  resinned  under  at  least  doiibiinl  (  rt '  iiisiaiiees  on 
the  l'ollowili'4:day.  fi  Hiial  allempl  was  niaile  I"  throw  a  body  of 
troops  iiilo  the  rear.  Three  companies:  A-cre  deiaej.  j  iipojl 
this  service,  led  by  t'aplalll  Shelby.  Th  uioiii;  I  l',i',»iired  iho 
(•lllerpri.se.  .Vvailllii;  Ihemselves  ol  the  (all  wi'cds  and  \rrii»iS 
tipoii  llie  blink'  of  n  creek  liowinu'  into  the  Kanliawa.  lliosn 
eompaliies  passi-d  the  llaiik  ol  the  Iiidi;,il  ranks  nnobserved, 
mid  fiilhii:^'  viy;orously  imuii  their  rear,  drove  them  from  th"ir 

•  |)i.iK.v-  wliii  ('iiiii|)ili<«  iii«  ttci'uuat  uf  till*  apiriluil  i<nt(U|;i,'iiiL'iil,  I'luin  W'  'ion, 
M't'luil;;,  itlitl  lliiildiiiljrc. 


'■m 


44 


LIFI2    OF    nilANT. 


[1774. 


M'tll 


lilies  with  precijiitiitioii.  Xii^lit  canie  on,  and  tht;  Tiidiaiis, 
siij)])osiii^r  tliul  rfinlorceiiK'nts  of  tin;  Viriiiniaiis  liad  arrived, 
ilt'd  across  the  Ohio,  and  eoiitiiiiied  tli(!ir  nHreat  to  the  Scioto. 
They  liad  not  the  satislai'tion  oL'  takiiiii;  many  scalps-  tlie 
bodies  of  a  low  strairirlers  only  lallini(  into  tlieir  possession.  In 
the  oliieial  acconnt  it  was  stated  tliat  they  scalped  niiinhers  of 
their  own  warriors,  to  prevent  the  Virginians  fn»in  doniir  it. 
Of  those  Jiidiaiis  lirst  l<illt>d,  the  Virginians  scalped  upward  of 
twenty.*  The  loss  of  the  Indians  was  never  known.  Ii  iiiiist, 
llowe\('r.  Iia\i'  been  severe;  since,  ill  addition  to  the  killed  and 
wounded  home  away,  ninnhersol'  the  slain  were  thrown  into  the 
river, and  thirty-tiuee  of  ilirir  warriors  were  found  iU"M\  npoii  the 
lield  on  the  Ibllowiiiirday.  The  loss  of  the  \  iriiiniaiis  wiis  likt;- 
wise  severe.  Two  ol'  their  colonels  were  killed,  tour  captiiins, 
many  siihordinate  ollirers,  and  heiwein  liliy  and  sixty  privates, 
besides  a  iiinch  lari!rr  niiniher  wounded. I 

Arrived  at  ( 'hilicothe,  a  eonncil  of  the  Indians  wasconvenrd 
to  debate  upon  the  (piestion  what  was  ne.xt  to  be  iloiie.  ( 'orii- 
slock,  it  was  said,  had  been  opposed  to  Ldviiiij  battle  at  i'oinl 
IMeasaiit.  but  had  resolved  to  do  his  best  on  beiny  overruled  in 
roimcil.  i  !aviiii^' bfeii  defeated,  as  he  bud  antieipated,  he  de 
inanded  ot'  the  council.  ••  \\/i<i/ s/i,i/l  ir(  <hi  iitnr  .'  Thv  Isitiiu^ 
*•  Kii'ift  s  III!  I'lii/iiiiL!'  ii/m/i  IIS  III/  /ini  iniifi  s.  S/ia//  in  liini 
"«;//  (Uli/ jiil'/i/  till  III  /"  No  response  heiniT  made  to  the  (pi<s. 
lion,  he  coniinned,  '■^  Slmll  irr  1:111  nil  mir  sijiinirs  nml  i/iil- 
'' ilrcii.  mill  thru  Jhjlil  until  ,rr  nrr  nil  /:ilhil  oiirsi  Ins  .'"  As 
before,  all  were  silent ;  wlierriipon  ("ornstock  struck-  his  loina- 
liawk  iiiio  the  war-post,  standiiii,^  in  the  midst  ol'  the  council, 
an<l  remarked  with  emphasis:  ^- Sinrr  i/nii  nrr  imt  inrliiiff/  to 
'"./'V'A  I  "''/f  "'"  '""'  '""/'■«  ptnayi    Siiyiny;  whi<'li,  he  ro- 


♦  oniriul  Ri'imil. 

1  l>ii(|ilriil'_;c  nlnlcM  thi<  nitinltrrorkilli'd  lit  ""'.lUlil  nl' \m  iihilcil  ill  I  ID  In  llic  cdli- 
tnntt'  ^IVCIl  III  till'  lf'\l, 'I'llltti'licr  l|i|.<  hri'ii  rnljdwril.  llIM  Htilti'il  liN  jliiiUi',  tliDl  It 
KtriitiitEi'in  u  ux  ri'«<irii  il  to  in  llim  lU'tioii  by  tliv  Virj;iiiiuiiM,  Kiiiiiliir  \o  onr  tliiil  linil  licpti 
priicii-ril  III  llii'  t  inly  .N'W  Imi^IiiihI  wiiinl  ilir  liiiliiiiiNal  I'liwliii'lu'l  'I'lir  \'ir;;iiiiiiiiN, 
«iilirt'iiliii^  IIii'IIIhi'Imh  Im'IiiiiiI  Ircrx,  HiillM  liiild  mil  tlirli  liiiN  111)111  ;irlllil(l  iiml  illliw 
tht*  Dinnf  lli<<  liiiiiiini>i  ilioliiit  liritig  ini>tiiiitly  ilr(i|i|)i<il,  llic  Iniliiin  wiirniir  wluiliiul 
liniii^lit  It  (liiwii,  ><ii|i|iiisini;  tliiit  III'  liinl  Itilliil  tin'  nwiirr,  Winilil  ni")!  liirtNiinl  In  wr- 
t'tiri^  ilii<  Hnii|i  iir)ii«Nii|i|iii,^(>il  \i('tiiii—  Mily  to  lull  li)'iioHliitiiiiiiit>x|M'i'l(it  tuiiiuiiawk. 

I   |)nililri<'Ki>, 


f 


[1774. 


1774.] 


SPEECH  OK  I,OUA\. 


45 


paired  to  the  cnnip  of  Lord  Diiniuorc,  who,  liavinjr  doscoiuled 
the  Ohio,  was  mow  approaeliiiiii-  the  .Seioto. 

Meaiiliiiu'  (ieiieral  Lewis,  haviiiir  Imrifd  his  dcjid,  and  iiiadr 
the  necessary  dispositions  I'or  an  advance  into  the  heart  ol'  llie 
Indian  eounli'v.  nioveil  forward  in  pnrsnil  of  iIk;  riiciny  -re- 
soU-cd  npon  his  cxtcrniinalioii.  lie  was  soon  al'lerward  met  hy 
a  eoiniter  oidiM-  tVoni  liord  Dnnniore.  which  he  disreu'arded  ; 
and  it  was  not  nnlil  thi;  (Governor  visited  Lewis  in  Ins  own 
camp,  that  a  reinclant  ohedience  was  exacted.  .Meantime  the 
iien-i)ii;iii()ii  proceeded,  hilt  under  circiimstaiices  ol'  distinsi  ou 
the  jtarl  of  the  Viryiiiiatis,  who  were  careliil  to  ;idmit  only  a, 
small  iiiimher  ol"  the  Indians  into  their  encampment  at  any  one 
lime.  'riii'(diief  speaker  on  thi'partol'  the  Indians  was  ( 'orn- 
siock,  who  did  not  fail  to  I'iiar;^!'  (he  whites  with  heinu;'  the  sole 
"  ...^e  ol"  the  war  --eiiuineratmif  the  provocations  which  thu 
liidi.ans  had  received,  and  dwelimii;'  with  peciiliiu'  liiree  upon 
the  mniders  committed  m  the  family  ol'  Looaii.*  'Tins  lofty 
ehiel'  himself  rel'nsed  to  iippear  at  the  coimcil,  ||e  was  in  fa- 
voiii  of  peace,  hut  his  proiid  spirit  seorned  to  ask  lor  it :  and  he 
remained  111  Inseahin,  hri)odiny  in  melancholy  silence  over  Ins 
(jwii  w routes. 

Of  so  much  importfuice  was  his  name  considered  hy  Lord 
Diinmore  however,  that  a  special  iiiessenL''er  was  despatched  to 
ascertain  whether  he  would  accede  id  the  artiel<>s  of  peace. 
Tliis  mi'sseiiiier  was  ( 'olonel  John  ( lihsoii,  uii  odicer  iii  Dun 
inore's  army,  and  id'lerward  a  man  o,  some  (iistiiuMioii.  The 
"  .MiiiLfo  ( 'hief  "  did  not  dissent  from  the  terms,  hnt  i^avc;  not  his 
sanction  wilhoiifaii  eloquent  rehearsal  of  his  ;frievanees  -rela- 
liiiif,  111  lull,  the  circninslaiices  of  the  hiitchery  of  Ins  own 
entire  I'amily,  to  nvuiiirc  which  atioeities  he  had  taken  np  the 
liiifHi  •!.  Mis  conference  with  (Jil)soii  l,»ok  place  in  a  solitary 
wood,   and  at   its   clo.se,  he,  chtirj^cd  him   with  the  eelehrated 

♦  (.'ornilork  wan  II  truly  j{riMil  inuii.  (.'dl.  WiUtm,  wlm  wum  lurxchl  nt  iIk! 
iiiiirviiw  liclwci'ii  tlu'Cliid  aiiil  I. on!  Dmimnri',  tliiH  HpfiikH  oC  Ilic  rlinnuiirs 
l)i'illlili(  on  llic  iiirilKloil  :  "  Wlicii  lie  iirmr,  he  wiin  hi  no  Wine  inliruxi'il  or  ilainilnl, 
lint  xpokc  Ml  II  diHUiu't  omi  iimlililt!  v. me,  wiiluiiii  Htiinuiii'iiii>{  or  rr|iriiiion,  iiint  wiili 
|ii'('iiliiir  ciiiiilituiH.  Ili!<  l(Mik.i,  wliili'  iiilclrcsxiiiir  Uiiiiiiiori',  wm' truly  i;iaii<l  ami 
luiijcHlic,  yd  yriui'lul  mid  allraitivc.  I  luivo  ln«ril  llir  tir«t  oriitori  in  Viryiniu 
I'alruk  lli'iiry  uiiil  Huhnrtl  llnnry  Loo  ;  but  tiuvor  Imvo  I  licurd  om  wiiosc'iiower* 
ol'  di'liviTy  unriiUMHcd  iIimho  of  ('ornstock." 


46 


MFK    OF    miANT. 


[1774. 


ill 


speech  to  r,ord  Diinniorc,  which  has  heconie  funiiUiir  wherever 
the  I'iiiirli^Ii  hinirnage  isspokeii: — 

"  I  a|  ])<m1  to  any  \vliit<'  man  (osi'y  it  he  ever  eriteivxl  Logtiirs 
cabin  huii^ry,  and  he  i^ave  liini  not  meat;  if  ever  he  came  cold 
and  naived,  and  iie  clothed  him  not.  During'  the  conrse  ol'  tlie 
last  lony  and  hioody  war,  l.o^an  remained  idle  in  his  cal)in,  an 
advocate  lor  peac,'.  .Sncli  was  my  love  lor  the  whites,  that  niy 
countrymen  pointed,  as  they  passed,  and  said,  'I,o;;an  is  the 
friend  of  the  whil((  men.'  I  had  even  thonn'ht  to  have  lived 
with  you,  hut  l(>rth(>  injuries  ol'  one  man.  Colonel  ("resap,  tlie 
last  Sprin'i',  in  cold  hloodand  unprovoked,  murdered  all  the  rela- 
tionsol'  l,oii:an,  not  evenspariny;niy  women  and  children.  There 
ruiKs  not  a(h'opof  my  hlood  in  the  veins  ol" any  livin'.,M'reature. 
This  called  on  me  lor  reven<re.  1  have  sonirht  it ;  1  iiave  killed 
many  ;  I  have  liilly  jjfhitled  tny  venf,M'anci'.  I'or  my  country, 
1  rejoice  at  lh(.>  heams  of  peace;  hut  do  not  hiuhour  a  tIiou<;ht 
that  mine  is  the  joy  of  fear.  IiO!,nui  never  leli  liar.  He  will 
]iot  turn  oil  his  iieel  to  save  his  life.  Who  is  then'  to  ni'>nrii 
for  Loi^an  .'     Not  one."' 

This  speech  has  ever  been  regardc-d  as  one  o(  ihe  m.ist  elo- 
(pient  passajres  in  the  l-'niflish  lani>:\ia;re.  i\Ir.  .K  llersoii  remarlc- 
ed  of  U— ••  [  mi\y  cliallen;j,i:  the  whole  orations  of  Demostht  nes, 
"and  of  Cicero,  and  of  any  more  emiiu'Ut  orator,  if  Murope 
'•  has  furnished  more  eminent,  to  produce  a  single  passairi'  su  • 
*' perior  to  it;'"  aid  an  AiU(Mi(^an  statesman  and  scholar,* 
scarcely  li!ss  ilhislrioiis  than  the  iuithor  of  this  uohle  eiilogiuui, 
has  suhscriheil  to  thai  opinion. t 

'    He  WlllClllllnll. 

t  'riiuicliiT'it  inii.  I)iiisrii|itiy.     It  indue  iiirnndoiirloHtiitr,  tluii  llunullioiilirity  nf 

tlllM  <'i'li'l)rutril  >t|ii'('i'll  IlilM  lii'i'il  c|lii  slloiii'd.  <  >I1  ill)'  liir>t  |iillili('iillti|)  nl  .IrfTirsiiii'M 
jN'olf^,  lilt'  rc'iiiivi'x  and  IV'cikU  ol'  (-'i('!<ii|i  iiiiidc  >i  ;;r('Ut  niilcry  ii;iiuii>t  tin'  i.-liiir!;<' 
«)!'  hid  liavin<!  iiiiirdi'rcd  Liiuun'x  fiiDiily.  Atnon:(  otlirr  iir<{tiiii('nH  in  \m  d(  fcnro, 
it  U'lix  I'lii'it'iidi'd  tliiil  llii'  f<|ii'irli  iillnliiilrd  In  l.ii'iiiii  liiid,  in  miiIi^Iiiik.c  iiiid  aiinii.'it 
III  wiiidx,  Im'i'ii  di'JiM'K'd  to  till'  (iriMial  A^''<l'lllllly  uf  Vnuiiiiii  iiy  a  nik  In  in  niiiixii 
Limiiit,  twt'iily  ycnrn  lii'l'iiic  iIm-  diitc  nf«Ki'.;iii d  lo  ii  liy  Mr.  .IrfTtrson.  The  open h 
ri'f''iri'd  til  wiixdi-Tdvi'ii"!  m  I'n'  liii\"l<  nl' llnliiii,  ii  I'li'ticlimiin,  wlin  vi-'ited  tlicJ 'l)■ 
|llllll■<<  nl  an  curly  Dciind  of  war  ■  ,ii(' ll;viiliitiMii.  'I'lii'  )iiix<<a<;(' Ktniid:i  lliiiK  in 
llir  F-'niiiiHli  Iriiiii'laliiin  nl'  "  iuliin's  New  TrtisiN  i     AniiTirn!"— 

"Spicdi  III'  the  viivasic  i.  ill),  ill  n  (i'-iicrnl  .vnneiiilily,  ii"  it  wan  *rnf  to  the 
( iii\ iTMcir  III'  Vni;iiii,i,  anno  i .  ;il ; — 

"  I.iiniiii  will  nil  |ciii<;rr  oppooo  iiiukiiiK  Ilir  propopcd  pcnro  with  tin-  wliilr  mm. 
^'iMi  ari'  « 'iixilili'  lie  invcr  kiii'v  w!i;it  I'rnr  in— llml  in-  iii-vcr  turnwl  Win  Imck  in  liir 


1! 


t\ 


i 


1771.] 


IK.Ml'KR    t)K     rilK     r\n[\NS. 


47 


to  the 


Lord  nimmorc,  it  is  holioved,  wus  siiiccivly  dosimus  of 
peace — Iroiu  motives  of  Imniaiiity,  we  urc  ready  to  believe,  al- 
lli(jUi,''li  writers  of  less  eliarity  have  attributed  his  course  to  a 
more  unworthy  ieeliii<r.  Peace,  therefore,  was  the  result  of  the 
couiieil.  IJnt  it  will  readily  he  conceded  that  the  Indian  wiir- 
■  riors  could  not  have  retired  to  their  res|'ective  tribes  and  homes, 

with  any  feeliiiijs  of  ])articiilar  friendshi])  toward  the  while  men. 
On  the  contrary,  the  ])ain  of  defeat,  and  the  loss  of  the  warriors 
who  fell,  were  causes  of  irritiitinir  redectioti,  in  addition  to  the 
oriL^inal  and  urievoiis  wron^'  they  had  snll'ered  at  the  hands  of 
( "r(;sa[)  and  (irtiatliouse.  The  .Si.v  Nations,  as  a  confederacy, 
had  not  taken  |)art ;  i  the  war  of  the  Vir<rinia  border  ;  but  many 
f  of  their  warriors  were  eiiiJi'aircd  in  it,  especially  the  Cayni^as,  to 

which  nation  ljo;riin  belon^'ed,  and  the  warriors  of  the;  Six  Xu- 
lions  colonized  on  the  banks  of  the  Sustinehanna  and  its  tribu- 
tary the  Shamokin.  'riiese.  it  may  be  reasonably  interred,  re- 
inrned  from  the  contest  only  to  broixl  lon^rer  over  llieir  a.ccu- 
mnlati'd  wroiiii's,  and  in  a  temper  not  over-in<'lined  to  cullivate 
thr  most  amicable  relations  with  the  Colonies.  In  one  word, 
the  tempi'r  of  the  whole  Iiidiim  race,  with  the  exception  of  the 
Oiieidus,  was  soured  by  these  occurrences  of  the  year  177  I  ;  —a 

(liiy  !>•"  Imltli*.  No  oilP  lliis  iriorc  Unv,  lor  tlio  white  nicii  lliiiii  1  have.  'I'lii'  «iir  \vo 
liii\<'  had  witli  tlicin  Iuin  Itccii  Idiii;  and  hlooily  dii  butli  sid(>»*.  ItivrrN  of  l)lon(l  have 
run  on  all  partK,  and  yi't  no  i;ood  Iuih  n-sultcd  tln'rclVoin  to  any.  I  once  more  repeat 
il — lei  ns  lie  at  peaie  Willi  lliese  men.  I  will  forjiet  our  iii|nries  ;  tin"  interest  ol'iny 
roniilry  demands  It.     I  will  I'orgot — but  dillienlf,  indeed,  is  llie  tack!      Yes,   1  will 

ror'^el  tiial  Major eriielly  and  inluiinanly  innrdiTed,  in  their  canoes,  my  wife, 

my  children,  my  lather,  my  mother,  and  all  my  kindred.  This  roused  me  to  deeds 
of  vengeuiuv!  I  I  was  cruel  m  di'spiie  of  myself  I  will  die  content  if  my  rounlry  is 
onei  more  at  iieneo.  Hut  when  Loimii  shall  he  no  more,  who,  niasi  will  drop  a  tear 
to  the  memory  of  Loiiiin  I  " 

If  the  date  to  tins  speech  he  the  true  one,  thoro  is  an  end  to  the  cliiim  of  Lo<inn. 
But  tho  resemhhince  in  many  manuscripts,  hctwren  iho  fi>iures  -t  and  7,  is  so  rioso 
as  to  induce  u  helief,  (I>r.  nurton>  .loiirnal  of  MO,"*  (oihe  contrary  iiotwitlisliMidiii};) 
that  the  error  may  have  heen  made  hy  the  Kni;lish  translator,  Thiii  opinion  in 
Htron!»thtmi!d  hy  the  snniiarily  helwei'n  the  mime  given  liy  Hohm,— /.rinou — and 
Logan.  The  difrermee  lonsists  in  u  sinulw  leller,  and  imuht  well  have  heen  the  er- 
ror of  the  I'renihmiui,  when  wrilinii  the  identical  story  of  l.oiian.  In  the  course  of 
Ills  investmalions,  .Mr.  Jdferson  was  furnished  with  a  note,  wiiilen  hv  Loyan,  nnd 
»onl  to  a  whilo  setiiomenl,  attached  to  o  wai-cluh,  hy  the  hand  of  an  Indian  runner. 
1  leekewelder  I'Iso  says  the  speech  was  aiithentiealed  hy  ( 'ol.  Oihson,  and  adds  !— 
"  l-'or  my  part  I  am  lonvinccd  thai  it  was  deiivmed  precisely  as  it  was  related  In  iia, 
with  lln^  only  Hitrcffn-f,  that  it  p<»ssp««pd  n  force  and  .  xprossmn  m  the  mdinn  Ian- 
{{uagp,  which  It  lu  iinpos.>>l»U«  to  transUie  into  our  own." 

It 


i?iPj 


mi^'S 


48 


LIFK    OF    UKANT. 


[177.1. 


most  unfortunate  circumstance,  since  events  were  then  follow- 
ing in  rapid  succession,  wljicli  within  a  twelvemontii  rendered 
the  friendship  of  the  nations  not  only  desirable,  but  an  object 
of  vast  importance. 

But  before  the  direct  narrative  leading  to  those  events  is  re- 
sumed, it  may  be  well  to  end  the  luelancholy  tale  of  Looan, 
"  which  can  be  dismissed  with  no  relief  to  its  gloomy  colours." 
After  the  peace  of  Chilicothe  ho  sank  into  a  state  of  deep  mental 
depression,  declaring  that  lile  was  a  torment  to  him.  He  be- 
came in  some  measure  delirious  ;*  went  to  Detroit,  and  there 
yielded  himself  to  habits  of  intoxication.  In  the  end  he  became 
a  victim  to  the  same  ferocious  cruelty  which  had  already  ren- 
dered him  a  desolate  man.  Not  long  after  the  treaty,  a  party 
of  whites  murdered  him  as  he  was  returning  from  Detroit  to 
his  own  country. f 

♦  Allen's  Biog.  Die.  f  Thatcher 


\> 


I 


;i 


II 


¥ 


[1771. 


CHAPTER  III. 


I 


1 


UnyiMdini;  roiirsp  of  the  parent  Governmont — RITorts  of  the  F.arl  of  riiatlmm  nna- 
viiilins; — Addrcps  to  the  Crown  tVoin  Xcw-^'ork — fiCsli^'s  [v\p<'tiiti()n  toSalcin — 
AtTiir  of  Lexiiiuton — I'nwiso  niovrmcnl!;  of  Tryon  < 'ounly  loyalists — Hcaition 
— Piililie  rniTtiii^s — The  Saninions  fatnily — Inti  rf«rtiicc  of  tlie  Jolinsoiis — 
Quarrel  at  fJaiiiilinawaifa — Spirited  indications  at  Clierry  Valley — ('ounteractinif 
cflorls  of  llic  Joliiisiins  ainon^  tlieir  retaini'rs — Inliiiiiies  \\itli  tiie  Iiidi.m.s — 
Rlassacluisi  tis  atteinpl-;  the  same — Correspondence  with  the  Stoekl)ridL;e  Inflians 
— Leiier  to  -Mr.  iviikland — His  rcnioval  hy  tiny  Johnson — A'entiality  of  the 
Oneidas — Intercepted  despaleli  froin  I'rant  to  the  Otieidas — AppreliiMisions  of 
Guy  Johnson — ( 'orresjiondnice — h'arther  preeaiilions  of  the  ( '(initnitlees— I?e- 
vereiici;  for  the  Laws — Letter  of  tiny  Juhiison  to  the  Cuninnltccs  oi'  Alhaiiy  and 
Sclieiicttady — Siih>tan(.e  of  the  reply. 

Tin:  pan^ut  ^fovcrniiiont  tlid  not  relax  its  coercive  measures, 
iiotwiilistnndiiiy-  the  ellbi'ts  oCtlie  I-iavl  of  ( 'hiitliaiii,  now  venera- 
ble lor  liis  years,  who.  iil'tcr  a  lonij:  retirement,  rettu'ned  once  more 
into  pntilic  lite,  to  interpose  liis  eloiitieiiee  and  the  intlnence  ot 
his  jjreat  name  in  hehall  of  the  Colonies.  His  lordship's  ad- 
dress to  the  Iviiii:  lor  the  removal  ol'  lla^  troops  iVom  IJoston, 
was  rejected  hy  a  lar;re  majority.  His  conciliatory  lull  was 
also  rejected.  On  the  2()tii  ot'  .Tann.ary.  Messrs.  ''olland, 
J''ranklin,  and  T.ee,  the  (^onunittee  iVom  llit;  Colonies,  ehary'ed 
with  j)resentinir  die  jieiition  ol'  the  Conlinentiil  (.'onirress  I'or  a 
redress  of  grievances,  hroiiu-lit  the  snhiect  hefore  the,  House  of 
Goinmons,  and  alter  an  ;ni!iry  debate  they  refused  to  rec.'cive  it 
by  a  decisive  vot<.'.  Metintime  hills  were  passed,  i>y  Jarire  ma- 
jorities, restraininii;  till  lh<i  thirtemi  Colonies,  excepting  oidy 
New-York,  Delaware,  and  Norlli  Carolina,  Irotn  tin;  prosi^eti- 
tion  of  aiiy  foreiy;n  connnerce  other  than  with  Great  iJritiuii 
ond  her  dependenci(^s.  The  I-'iiistern  .Sttites  were  likewise;  ex- 
cluded from  the  fisheries  ol'  .Xewfoimdliiiid.  I'lit  notwith- 
sttmibng  that,  from  motives  of  jmlicy,  New- York  had  been 
thus  excepted  from  the  restrainini,^  law,  its  local  legislature  was 
at  iht!  same  timi'  engaged  in  i)rei)ariug  a  meiuorial  to  Ihe 
Crown  I'or  a  redress  of  grieviUices — a  fact  wliieli  the  ministers 
soon  learned,  iuul  not  without  mortification.  The  New-Vork 
address  was  ii  strong'  (leiiiMieiation  of  the  measures  of  the 
Government  towtu'd  the  Coionies,  iuid  tin  eneru'etie  appeal  for 
redress.  ••  We  li>el,"'  said  they,  "the  most  ardent  d.esiro  io  pro- 
mote a  cordial  reconciliation  with  the  parent  state,  which  can 


m 


50 


LIFE    OF    P.RA\T. 


[1 


/  I  O. 


ll    II 


I'l 


l)orondorod  pcrmnnont  niid  solid  only  by  asoortninino-  tlic  lino 
of"  Parlianieiitaiy  authority  and  Anieiican  iVeodoin,  on  just, 
equitable,  and  constitiUional  grounds.  *  *  *  From  the  year 
1()83  till  the  close  of  the  late  war,  they  had  enjoyed  a  leg-isla- 
turecom-istingofthroedistinct  branches,  a  Governor,  Cotnicil,  and 
general  Assembly;  under  which  poHtical  frame  the  xenr&senta- 
tives  had  unilbrnily  exercised  the  right  of  their  owii  civil  go- 
vermiieut,  and  the  administration  of  justice  in  the  Colony,  It 
is,  therefore,  with  inexpressible  grief  that  we  have  >>i'  late 
years  seen  measures  ado])ted  by  the  British  Parliament,  subver- 
sive of  tliat  constitution  mider  which  the  good  people  of  this 
Colony  have  always  enjoyed  the  same  rights  and  privileges,  so 
liighiy  and  deservedly  prized  by  their  fellow-subjects  of  Creat 
Britain."  Adverting  to  the  essential  privilege  of  trial  by  a 
jury  of  the  vicin;ige,  they  "  view  with  horror  the  construction 
of  the  statute  of  the  35th  of  Henry  the  VIII.  as  held  up  by  the 
joint  address  of  both  houses  of  Parliament  in  1700,  advising 
liis  Majesty  to  send  for  persons  guilty  of  treasons  and  mispri- 
sions of  treasons,  in  the  (^ilonyof  Massachusetts  Hay,  in  order 
to  l)e  tried  in  l-jUgland  ;"  and  they  "are  equally  alarmed  at  the 
late  acts,  empowering  his  Majt'sly  to  send  |)ersons  guilty  of 
oUences  in  one  colony,  to  be  tried  in  another  or  within  tiie 
realm  of  England."'  They  complain  of  the  act  of  7th  of 
George  the  HI.  ro([uiring  the  legislature  of  this  Colony  to  make 
provision  for  the  expense  of  the  troops  cpiarlered  among  tbeni ; 
of)li(  ac:  suspeiiilingtheirl(>gislative  j)owers till  tbeyshouldhave 
con:j)!ied  ;  and  of  the  Quebec  act ;  considering  themselves  as 
interested  in  whatever  may  alfect  their  sister  Colonies  ;  they  can- 
not iielp  feeling  for  the  distresses  o("  their  brethren  in  IMassa- 
chusetts,  Irom  the  operatitMi  of  the  several  acts  of  Parliament 
passed  relative  to  that  ))rovince,  and  earnestly  remonstrating  in 
their  behalf.  "  We  claim,'"  said  they,  "but  a  restoration  of  those 
rights  Aviiich  W(^  enjoyed  by  general  consent  before  th(>  close  of 
the  last  war ;  we  desin^  no  more  than  a  conliimation  of  that 
ancient  govermnent  to  whieli  we  are  (Militled  by  th<!  principles 
of  tile  British  constitution,  an»l  by  which  alone  can  be  secured 
to  us  the  rights  of  I'jUglishmini.''  'The  address  was  presented 
to  the  House  of  Coiumons  by  Mr.  Biuke,  but  was  never  culled  up.* 


*  liulmeei'ii  Annali. 


[1 


/  /  i). 


1775.] 


AFFAIR    OF    I.KXrXOTOX. 


51 


tlio  lino 
on  just, 
I  lie   year 
a  lejifishi- 
incil,and 
nreseiita- 
civil  sjo- 
loiiy.     It 
I  ol'  late 
,  snhvcr- 
le  of  this 
i leges,  so 
of  dreat 
ial  by  a 
struct  ion 
lip  by  tlio 
advisiiiL!^ 
d  niispri- 
iii  order 
ed  at  the 
guilty  of 
ithin  the 
7th   of 
to  make 
g  tlu'iii ; 
tiildhave 
'Ives  as 
ley  e.-in- 
lMassa- 
liaineiit 
itjiig  in 
of  those 
close  of 
of  that 
iiicipies 
secured 
csented 
led  up.* 


A  new  Provincial  Congress  was  assembled  in  ^rassachusetts 
in  February,  which,  anticipating  that  the  parent  Government 
was  pn.'paring  to  strike  the  lirst  blow  at  that  Colony,  adopted 
Jiutlier  nieaiis  of  precaution  and  delence — but  with  great  wis- 
dom avoiding  any  thing  like  an  overt  act  of  resistance.  Hos- 
tilities had  well  nigh  been  coininenced  on  the  2Gth  of  I'Njbrua- 
ry,  belwcen  Salem  and  13anvcrs,  by  the  opposition  of  ("oloiid 
'rimothy  Pickering  and  others,  to  Colonel  Leslie,  wlu)  had  been 
sent  to  .Salem  by  General  (»age,  to  seize  some  military  stores, 
which  he  had  been  inlbrmed  were  collecting  at  the  Ibriner 
place.  ']'he  interposition  of  .Mr.  IJariiartl,  the  minister  of  .Sa- 
Ilmii,  prevented  the  ethisioii  of  blood,  and  Leslie  returned  to 
IJostoii  from  a  bootless  errand. 

The  ill-starred  expedition,  by  the  Ui  'fion  of  GeiuM'al  Gage, 
to  Concord,  and  the  b'Utle  of  Iie\in  m  the  19th  of  April, 

fave  lilt!  siy,-nal  ol'a  geiK.'ral  rush  to  arms  throughout  most  o(  the 
Colonies.  True,  it  was  not  atlmitled  to  be  a  Ibrmal  commence- 
ment of  hostilities,  and  the  Provincial  (Congress  of  Massachu- 
selts  tL'sj)atchi'(i  an  account  of  that  alfair  to  t  Jreat  IJritain.  with 
depositions,  establishing  the  fact  indisputably,  that  both  at 
Concord  and  Lexington  the  liring  had  been  commenced  by 
the  King's  troops — Major  Pitcairn  himsrlf  discharging  the  first 
shot,  at  the  former  place,  lint  although  this  messiige  was  ac- 
companied by  an  address  to  tli(!  people  of  Great  IJritain  with 
ciHilmiied  professions  of  loyalty,  yet  those  professions  wi're 
.sent,  hand  in  hand,  with  a  di^claratiou  that  thry  would  '-not 
tamely  submit  to  the  persecution  and  tyraim\-"  of  tin;  existing 
ministry,  and  with  an  apjieal  to  heaven  t()r  the  juslict!  o(  a  canst; 
in  which  tli(,'y  wcrt;  tletermineil  to  dieor  coiupier.  It  was  very 
evitleiit,  therelore,  that  reconciliation  was  out  of  tlie  tpiestiou, 
and  that  a  trial  of  arms  was  near  ai  hand.  (M  conise  the  ex- 
asperation of  the  public  mind  was  now  at  its  height,  ai.tl  thoso 
wlut  had  not  taken  siijes  ctmid  no  loiiufcr  stand  neutral. 

It  was  at  this  moment,  just  iis  the  ( 'ontineiital  Congress  was 
about  to  reassemble,  iUld  just  as  the  e.xciting  intelligence  was 
receivtiil  Iroiu  Hoston,  that,  most  unwisely  for  themselves,  the 
intluential  loyalists  of  Tryoii  County  mideriook'  to  make  a 
demoiislriitioii  against  the  proceedings  of  the  ( 'ongress  of  th(5 
j)rcceding  Autumn.     A  declaration  in  opj)osition  to  those  pro 


V 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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1.0 


I.I 


'-i^    12.5 

|jo   i"^"     IliiHI 


11-25  III  1.4 


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Hiotographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


L1>' 


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;\ 


33  WIST  MAIN  STRUT 

WIISTIR,  N.V.  14)10 

(71*)  •73-4S03 


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m       li 


52 


LIFE    OF    HRAXT. 


\\(  to. 


ceeflings  was  drawn  up,  and  advantage  taken  of  the  gathering 
of  the  people  at  a  Court  holden  in  Johnstown,  to  obtain  signa- 
tures. The  discussions  ran  high  upon  the  subjeot,  but  the 
movers  in  the  allUir  succeeded  in  obtaining  the  nanits  of  a 
majority  of  the  Grand  Jurors,  and  llie  greater  portion  of  the 
magistracy  ol  the  County. 

The  Whiijs  in  attendance  at  the  Court  were  iiuhcrnant  at 
this  proceedure,  and  on  returning  to  their  respective  homes, 
connnutiicated  tlieir  feelings  to  those  of  their  neighbors  who 
had  emliraced  kindrf^d  principU's.  Public  nie(>tiiius  were  called, 
and  conunittees  appointed  in  every  district,  and  siib-conuniltees 
in  ahnost  every  hanil(!t  in  the  ('ounty.*  'I'he  hrst  of  these 
l)ul)li(;  meetings  was  held  at  thi;  honse  of  .lolin  Vet'dcr  in 
Caughnawaga.  It  was  attended  by  about  three  hundred  peo- 
ple, who  assenil)led,  unarmed,  for  the  purpose  of  deliberation, 
and  idso  to  creel  a  liberly-])ol(!— the  most  hatefnl  object  of  that 
(lay  in  the  eyes  of  the  loyidists.  Among  the  leaders  of  the 
Whigs  on  thiit  occasion,  were  Sami'sox  .Svmmons,  an  opulent 
farmer  residing  in  the  neiiihbouriiood,  ami  two  of  his  sons, 
jAfon  and  Fincni'.incK.  licibre  they  had  aecomplislied  their 
purpose  of  raising  llie  eniblciu  of  rebellion,  llir  procri'dinys 
were  inlerru|)t<'d  by  the  arrival  of  Sir  Jol  a  Johnson,  aec^onipa- 
nii'd  by  bis  brothers-in-law,  Colonels  Clans  and  (iiiy  Johnson, 
tot:<!tber  with  ( 'oloni-l  .h)hn  Hihler,  and  a  largi'  nunibi'r  of  their 
retainers,  armed  with  swords  and  pistols.  (Jny  .lohnson  mount- 
ed a  high  stoop  and  harangueil  the  peo))le  at  length,  and  with 


M 


•  Till' (.'oiiiily  t>r 'I'lyoii  tlii'U  incliidi'il  nil  the  Ciiioiiiiil  mi'IiIcimi'hI.s  Wi'st  mid 
Soutii-wi'sl  of  S<li(ii('claily.  It  «'i»n  IuIumi  lioiii  Alldiiiy t 'oiiiit)  in  177v.',iuiil  iniiiii'd 
ill  lioiKMir  (if  Willi, nil  Tryiiii,  llii'ii  (Jovcriior  ol"  llii' I'lnviiK'c.  \n  I?."*!  tlin  niiiiii> 
wnn  flmii!ji'(l  III  Moiil!i(iiii('ry.  WIh'ii  fctiinnl,  it  ('iiiImikimI  nil  lliut  pint  of  tlii> 
State  lyms:  WcKt  (if  n  liiid  ruiiniiiii  Nni'llninil  Soiitli,  ncnily  llinmul)  tlu' centre  of 
tlie  inrmiit  ("oiinly  "f  Siliiiliiuie.  It  \vu«  (liviiliil  iiiti)  live  (IimIikIh,  wliicli  were 
iiii-iiii  Fill), lividi'd  mill  HinalliT  disiridi*  or  |ireiiii(tH,  The  llrst,  lie^iiiiiiinij;  iil  tlio 
l''ii!>f,  wilt  tlie  Mohawk  di^'lricl,  em'irncinir  Kurt  I  limt('r,('an!'himwnua,.liiliiii«town, 
mid  Kin'i«l>oroii;;li.  ('iinnjohaiie  dittriet,  einliriiciii'^  llie  present  lowii  of  that 
nnnii',  with  nil  llm  eniintry  South,  inrliidinu  Cherry  N'nlley  niid  ilurper»<lM'ld,  I'ldn- 
tine  ilittiirt  Noilh  of  liin  liver,  iiiid  iiieliidinij  ihr  iiiinitry  known  liy  the  Kiinie  iiiinie, 
Will)  Sliiiii'  Ai'iiliia,  ^ke,,  mill  ( ii'riiian  I'lali'i  and  Kiii^-land  |)iHlrii'tt,  lieini^  then 
the  ino-'l  Western  Mrltleiiientt,  iind  the  former  now  known  liy  the  mmie  nnine.  Tim 
I'oniity  liiiildiii'iM  wern  iit.  .lohiittown,  where,  im  liel'oru  iiiniitioned,  wn»  tho  rogijlunca 
of  Sir  Williiim  .lotjnuoii, —  Camiilirll'n  ^tnnah. 


MEETINGS    OF    Till'.    PI'.Ol'Li:. 


great  vehemence.  lie  dwelt  upon  the  .strcuglh  nnd  power  of 
the  Kiii2",  and  attempted  to  show  the  lolly  of  opposini{  his  oHi- 
cers  or  revoUingafi;ainst  the  anthority  of  iiis  crown.  A  siny:le 
ship,  he  said,  wonld  be  suflieient  to  capture  all  the  navy  which 
could  be  set  atloat  by  the  Colonies  ;  wliilc  on  the  frontiers,  the 
Indians  were  under  his  Majesty's  control,  and  his  ip'ms  were 
sustained  by  a  cliain  of  forlilied  posts,  cxtendin;,^  from  the  (inlf 
of  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  Mississij)pi.  He  was  very  virulent 
in  liis  lanijnaife  towtird  the  disaireeted,  causinfj^  their  blood  to 
boil  with  indi;^iiation.  But  they  were  imarnied,  and  lor  the 
most  part  unprepared,  if  not  indisposed,  to  j)roceed  to  any  act 
of  viol(Mice.  The  orator  at  leui^lh  bi'came  so  abusive,  that 
Jacob  .Saunnons,  no  loni^^cr  able  to  restrain  himself,  imprudently 
interrupted  his  discourse  by  pronouncinir  liini  a  liar  iuid  a  vil- 
lain. Johnson  thereupon  s(!ized  Sammons  by  the  throat,  and 
called  him  a  d — d  villain  in  return.  A  scullle  ensued  between 
them,  durinu;  which  Sammons  was  struck  down  with  a  loaded 
M'hip.  On  recovering;  from  the  momentary  stuinn*  of  tlu^  l)low, 
Sammons  found  one  of  Johnson's  servants  sittiny  iistride  of  his 
body.  A  well-directed  blow  relieved  him  Oi"  that  incMimbrance, 
nnd,  sj)rinj,nn;ijf  upon  his  feet,  lio  threw  oil"  his  coat  and  pre|)ared 
for  iiy.it.  Two  pistols  were  immediati'ly  presented  to  his 
breast,  but  not  discharged,  ns  Summons  was  again  kiiockt^d 
down  by  the  clubs  of  the  loyalists,  and  severely  beaten.  On 
recovering  his  feet  once  more,  he  perceived  that  his  Wiiig 
friends  had  all  dt!campt;d,  with  the  exception  of  the  families  of 
the  l*\)ndas,  Veechsrs,  anil  Visschers.*  'I'lie  loyalists  also  drew 
oil',  imd  Jacob  Sammons  returned  to  his  father's  house,  bearing 
upon  his  body  the  first  scars  of  the  Revolutionary  contest  in  tin; 
Coinity  of  Tryon. 

(;)ne  of  the  largest  and  most  spirited  of  th(;sc  meetings  took 
place  in  (Jherry  Valliiy.  It  was  held  in  the  church,  and  the 
j)('opl(!  entered  into  the  subject  with  so  much  enthusiasm,  that 
they  took  their  children  to  the  assembly,  that  they  might  im- 
bibo  lessons  of  patriotism,  as  it  W(>re  at  (he  altar  -thus  hallow- 
ing the  cause  in  which  they  woro  about  to  engage,  with  the 


♦  Nurriilivcn  ofjaoulinnil  Fri'iUnick  Stuninonn,  fiirniMliL'd  tollio  a\illior  j  rciicalcd 
rvrvrviK'<'ti  t(i  liiitliot  ivliicli  will  ho  nmilu  luirvullur. 


t* 


m:  < 


f .' 


Il'  ' 


II 


64 


LIFE    OP    DRANT. 


[1775. 


impressive  sanctions  of  religion.  The  orator  of  the  occasion 
was  an  Indian  interpreter  by  tlic  name  of  Thomas  Spencer ; 
he  was  rnde  of  speech,  bnt  forcible ;  and,  warmint>-  with  his 
tlieme,  spoke  with  snch  power  and  elfect,  that  the  story  of  liis 
elo(pience  yet  lives  in  the  annals  of  tradition.*  The  result  of 
this  meetinir  was  the  adoption  of  a  strons^  counter-declaration, 
condenniing  the  proceedings  of  the  loyalists  at  Johnstown,  and 
approving,  in  the  most  une([uiv((Cid  and  solemn  terms,  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  Continental  Congress. 

These  procee(hngs  took  place  early  in  i\Iay.  But  from  a  letter 
addressed  to  tlie  Connnittee  of  SatLty  of  Albany,  by  the  Commit- 
tee of  the  Pidatine  district,  on  the  ISthof  that  month,  it  appears 
that  the  Johnsons  and  their  powerhd  confederates  in  the  Mo- 
hawk district  succeeded,  by  threats,  intimidation,  and  an  array 
of  military  strength,  in  preventing  the  adoption  of  a  correspond- 
ing declaration  by  the  Whigs.  "This  County,"  says  the  Pa- 
hitinc  Committee,  "has  for  a  series  of  years  been  ruled  by  one 
"  lamily,  the  several  branches  of  which  are  still  strenuous  in 
"  dissuading  the  ])eople  from  coming  into  Congressional  m<Mi- 
"surcs,  and  have  even,  last  week,  at  a  munerous  nujcting  of 
"  the  Mohawk  district,  appeared  with  all  their  dependents  armed 
"  to  oppose  the  })eo])le  considering  of  their  grievances:  tlieir 
*'  mimber  being  .so  large,  and  the  people  unarmed,  struck  terror 
"  into  most  of  them,  and  they  dispersed."  The  (Jommitlei!  far- 
ther notified  tlieir  friends  in  Albany,  that  Sir  John  Johnson 
was  fortifying  the  Baronitd  Hall,  by  planting  several  swivels 
around  it ;  and  he  had  paraded  parts  of  the  regiment  of  militia 
which  he  commanded,  on  the  day  previous,  for  the  purpose 
of  intimidation,  as  it  was  conjectured.  It  was  likewise  reported 
that  the  Scotch  Highlanders,  settKul  in  large  numbers  in  imd 
about  Johnstown,  who  were  Ronuui  Catholics,  had  arnu'd 
themselves  to  the  n\imber  of  on(3  Imndred  and  filly,  ready  to 
aid  in  the  suppression  of  any  popular  outbreaks  in  favor  of 
the  growing  cause  of  I  liberty. 

Strong  suspicions  were  early  eiilcrlained  thai  the  Johnsons, 
Butlers,  and  Colonel  (Mans,  were  endeavouring  to  i\lienale  the 
liood-will  of  the  liulians  from  the  Colonists,  and  prepare  them, 
in  the  event  of  open  hostilities,  to  take  n|)  tia^  hatchet  against 


*  Aiul  uIhu  ill  Caiii|ilu'li  .4  AnnuU 


1 


(  i  il 


] 


INTUKiLKS    WITH     TllK    IMilAXS. 


55 


their 

•nor 

fiir- 

iiison 

'iv(!ls 

nilitiu 

I  r pose 
)(>rtc(l 

II  iiiul 
iniu'd 
\ily  \o 
;o\'  ot 


the 

tll(MI), 

uoinst 


llieia.  Thnyeiulanoirea,  ulias  Joseph  Hraiit,  as  licrelofbre  incn- 
tioiu'd.  w'u.i  now  the  secretary  of  Colonel  Guy  Johnson,*  the 
superintendent,  and  his  aetivity  was  ceiusoless.  Notwithstand- 
ing his  Ibriner  friendship  (()r  .Mr.  Ivirkland,  the  faidifnl  mis- 
sionary to  the  Oneidas,  'riiay(MidiUie<rea  was  a|)prehensive  that 
his  inllnence  would  he  exerted  to  alienate  the  Indians  from  the 
interests  of  the  Crown,  and  attach  them  to  those  of  the  Colo- 
nists. The  wily  chief  accordinij,-|y  attempted  to  ohtain  the  re- 
moval of  Mr.  Kirklaiul  from  his  sttition  ;  and  at  his  instillation 
a  dissolute  sachem  ol  tlu;  Oneidas  prel'erred  charj;es  njrainst  the 
minister  to  Gny  Johnson,  the  superintendent.  A  correspon- 
dence took  place  between  Johnson  and  Mr.  Kirkland  upon  the 
subject,  in  which  the  latter  sustained  himself  with  liirce  and 
disunity.  The  Oneida  nation,  moreover,  rallied  to  iiis  su))port, 
almost  to  a  man  ;  so  that  the  su|)erintendent  was  obliti-ed,  Ibr 
the  time  being,  to  relincpiish  the  idea  of  iiis  Ibrcihli!  removal.* 

Justice,  however,  both  to  Hrfuit  ami  Guy  Johnson,  retiuircs  it 
to  bo  stated  that  the  viuilant  eyes  of  tile  nostonians  had  already 
I.)een  direi-ted  to  lh(>  importance  of  secnring  an  interest  amoiitj 
the  Indians  of  th<'  .Six  Nations,  in  antieip.atioii  of  whatever 
events  were  to  happen.  To  tiiis  end  a  correspondence  was  open- 
ed through  Mr.  Kirkland,  even  with  the  Molmwks,  by  the  Pro- 
vincial Congress  ol'  Massachusetts,  before  the  alfair  of  liOxington 
mid  Concrd.t  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  letter  addressed 
to  the  missionary  by  the  Provincial  Congress  : — 

To  Tin;  Ri;v.  SajMuiu.  Kihki.ano. 

''Conconf,  April  \th,  1775. 
"Sir, 

"  The  Provincial  Congress  have  thought  it  necessary  to  ad- 
dress the  sachem  of  the  Mohawk  tribe,  with  the  rest  of  the  Six 
Nations,  upon  the  subject  of  the  controversy  between  Great 
Hritain  imd  the  American  C^olonies.  We  are  induced  to  take 
ibis  measure,  as  we  h;ive  beiMi  informed  that  those  who  are 
inimical  to  us  in  Canada  have  beiMi  tmnpering  with  those  na- 
tions, and  endeavouring  to  attach  them  to  the  interest  of  those 
who  are  attempting  to  deprive  us  of  our  inestimable  rights  und 

•  Tho  corrcHponilcnt  It  rrfi'rnd  id  in  tliiw  pnK-xtgo  wni*  Hi^covprod  by  tlio  nullior 
nmoriKtlii'  iin|iulili»hi'(l  pnportot'  Mr.  Kirkiiunl—nhlicinaiy  loaned  for  hii  U80  bv 
Prenidpnt  Kirkland  of  Huston. 

\  Sparkk'ci  Lil'a  and  Cor.  nf  WtRhmgtnn,  vol.  iii,  Appendti. 

12 


ill 


,  i 


56 


LlFi:    OP    BRA  XT. 


[1775. 


privileges,  and  to  su])jtigatc  tlin  Colonics  to  arbitrary  power 
From  a  confidonco  in  your  atlachnicnt  to  the  cause  of  liberty 
and  your  country,  we  now  Iriinsniit  toyou  the  enclosed  address, 
and  desire  you  will  deliver  it  to  the  sacheni  of  tlu;  JMohawk 
trilKj,  to  be  connnunicated  to  the  rest  of  the  Six  Nations ;  and 
that  you  will  use  your  inllnence  witli  them  to  join  with  us  in 
the  defence  of  our  ri<rhts  ;  but  if  you  cannot  prevail  with  them 
to  take  an  active  part  in  this  glorious  cause,  that  you  will  at 
least  engage  them  to  stand  neuter,  and  not  by  any  means  to 
aid  and  assist  our  enemies  :  and  as  we  are  at  a  loss  for  the 
name  of  the  sachem  of  the  Mohawk  tribe,  we  luive  left  it  to  you 
to  direct  the  address  to  him,  in  such  way  as  you  may  think  pro- 
per.'' 

Tiiere  were  at  that  time  dwelling  at  Stockliridge,  in  the 
western  part  of  Massachusetts,  u  remnant  of  the  Mohickanders, 
or  '' River  Indians"'  as  they  were  usually  called  during  the 
greater  portion  of  the  last  century,  but  latterly  Stockbritlge  In- 
dians, from  their  locality.  'l'hes(^  Indians  were  the  remains  of 
the  Muhhekaneew*  of  the  Hudson  river,  at  the  time  of  the  dis- 
covery. They  came  originally,  according  to  their  own  tradi- 
tions, from  the  far  West  -even  beyond  the  great  lakes.  That 
such  was  their  original  location  is  supported  by  the  fact,  tha^. 
their  language  was  radically  dillcrent  from  that  of  the  ISarra- 
gansetts  and  New  I'jngland  Indians  generally,  and  also  froni 
tiic  language  of  the  Five  Nations.  Its  affinities  wero  allied  to 
the  Shawanesc  and  Chippewa,  alfording  farther  evidence  that 
they  had  emigrated  from  the  West,  crossing  the  comitry  of  the 
Delawares,  and  establishing  th(?mselves  on  the  bank's  of  tlu^  Hud- 
son, or  Mohickannittuck  as  the  North  River  Wiisoalled.  They 
were  a  i)owerful  tribe  at  the  time  of  the  discovery,  numbiM'ing 
a  thousand  warriors,  and  iniiabiting  the  country  botwccu  the 

♦  Tl»i«  ia  tlio  oilliogriiphy  of  Pr.  Eilwanlf,  who  wiis  loii'j  n  inissionury  mnoiig 
tlicin  lit  StoiUhridi^r.  1  1i('Iu'\vi'1<1it  niiys  llicir  proper  iiiiini!  whs  .Mnhicnnni.  It  is 
ono  of  tim  iiioHt  (lillinilt  tliiii>4s  in  the  woiid  to  arrivo  iit  iiny  tiling  liko  sysfi'iii  or 
corliiinty  in  rcffiird  to  iiK'^an  iiaincs  of  pi-rsonw,  piacr^,  or  tliini;M.  l''i)r  in«tnncr, 
llio  uiillior  lia»  papiTH  bdoio  him  ut  liii>  limn  of  wiilinj;,  in  wliidi  liu-  llivcr  ImhaiH 
ore  laih'd  Mohednnns,  Moiiiii;inis,  or  Mi/iiii.>;iiiis,  (Ficuc!!,)  .Mahirkaudim,  (Diilcli,"^ 
Molikcon.i,  (Knolisli,)  Moliucnius,  ,Miiin(Unitirs,  SvlinUcimkii,  M'dhntifi/',  Miilihiul,- 
winuks,  and  the  Muhrukoutiuckn ;  indeed,  it  iiu»  Iteon  the  piatliee  of  wiiterw  of  (hf. 
1«!r(Mit,  Olid  of  ovuii  the  gaiiio  luitiunH,  to  bpell  nioro  by  the  ear  than  l)y  rule,  until  our 
indian  nainei  havu  boon  invulvuJ  in  ulinoat  incxtiicuhlv  confusion. 


1775.] 


THE    RIVER    INDIANS. 


57 


Upper  Delfuvarc  .-md  llie  Hudson,  to2:ether  \vith  portions  of 
territory  now  included  in  ^Nlassaclmsettsiuid  Vermont.  Tliey 
dwelt  mostly  in  little  towns  and  villai^es,  their  chief  seat  bciug; 
the  site  of  the  present  city  of  Albany — called  by  thein  Pempo- 
towwntluit-Aluhhecanneuw.or  tlu;  Fire-plaeeof  the  Nation.  Be- 
coming: feeble  and  dispersed  as  the  white  population  increased 
around  and  ainoni,^  them — althouG^h  their  numbers  had  been 
partially  recruited  by  relu<Tees  from  the  Narru<rans>;tts  and 
Peijuods,  on  the  conipiest  of  those  nations — the  .MuhhcUaneew 
were  collected  tou,vther  at  Stockbridije,  in  IT'M),  under  the  care 
of  the  Rev.  .John  Seryeant,  who,  and  his  son  after  him,  were 
lonir  the  sj)iritual  <4-uidi}s  of  the  tribe.  They  were  ever  faithful 
to  the  Enirlish,  having  been  actively  employed  hy  General 
Shirley  to  range  the  country  between  Lake  CJeorge  and  Mon- 
treal, during  ilie  French  war  ending  in  the  conquest  of  Ca- 
nada.* 


,  tlrni 

S'arra- 

frorti 

ied  to 

e  thill 

of  the 

Ihid- 

They 

ib(!rin^ 

vn  the 


1 


♦  Hnnvii,  ill  liis  |Kiiiiphlpt  History  of  Schohai-ic,  ^ivos  a  sinsiilar  trndition  in  re- 
gard to  ll)o  kiiii^sol'  Iho  Moluiwks,  of  wiiicli  1  Imvo  foiiiul  no  ntlier  niontion.  The 
Mohawi' J  and  Uivcr  Indians  wrru  oiicr  l)itti!r  enoinius,  tiin  former  l)ecoming  thw 
scoi;ri;('  imd  terror  of  tiic  liUlcr.  Brown  stiitos  tliiit  tilt!  last  bnttln  hclwi'on  tlie  Mo- 
hi't;aiis  and  .Moli;\«i;s  took  placi!  on  Wanton  Island,  in  tiie  llndsnn  Uivcr,  not  fur 
tVoiu  (.^atskill.  'l"lu!  (incslioii  iK.'lwi-cn  tla'tn  wa^n,  wiiicli  sliould  have  the  hononr  of 
iiainiii;;  llrii  liiii!,',  or  wiiicli  should  liavo  the  iircfcriMU'c  in  tlu;  kindly  iiononrs.  Both 
nations  colli'cli'd  ilii'ir  uliiiosl  slrcnjith  upon  tliat  ishuid,  for  t ho  purposo  of  a  tinal 
decision,  and  I'oii^lit  :i  pittiicd  batlli?,  which  continncd  during  the  vviiolo  day.  To- 
ward ni'j.ht  till!  Mohawks,  fiiKhiii;  that  tin;  Mohci^ans  were  likely  to  prove  an  over* 
riialch  for  thi'in,  ilreinMl  it  ni-ci'ssary  to  resort  to  stratairrni,  tor  « liich  purpose  they 
suddenly  took  to  niii,ht,  and  gained  another  island  in  the  eveninz.  I'liry  liero 
kindled  a  ^reiit  nninber  of  lires,  and  spread  their  hlankets  on  some  l)ushos  {jathcrcd 
and  ilispo-  (I  around  them  tor  that  purpose,  as  lhou<;htliey  thoinselves  had  encamped 
by  their  lires  as  usiud.  The  Moheirans  foiiowin;;  on,  landed  upon  the  island  in  iho 
depth  of  ni:iht,  and  were  completely  taken  in  hy  Iho  deception.  Supposiiir;  that  the 
Mohawks  wen!  sleepin|j;  soundly  heneath  their  hlaidu^ls,  at'ter  their  fatii;\ii>,  the  Mo- 
hcgans  crept  up  with  the  greatest  silence,  and  pouring  n  heavy  lire  upon  Ih'i  hlank- 
ets, rushed  upon  them  with  knives  ami  loiiitiliawks  in  hand,  makiiii;  the  air  to  ring 
with  their  yells  as  they  fell  to  cultini;  anil  slashiii;;  the  hlanketn  and  hushes  in  ••end 
of  Indians  heneath  them.  Just  at  the  monent  of  their  j»rcntest  confusion  nnd  exid- 
tation,  the  Mohawks,  who  had  lieen  lyiiiL;  in  ainhush  tint  upon  the  ground  at  n  littlo 
distance,  piiured  a  inurderoiis  lire  upon  their  foes,  who^e  lii'ures  were  rendered  din- 
tinctly  visihlo  by  the  lij^ht  of  their  lires,  ami  rushing  impetuously  upon  them,  killed 
Ihe  t;re  iter  part  and  made  pri-;o!iers  ol"  the  riMidue.  A  tre.ity  was  then  concluded, 
by  which  the  Moiiawks  were  to  hiwe  the  km;:,  nnd  the  Mohe^ans  wereto  hold  theni 
in  reverence,  nnd  call  them  "  I'ncle."  tlendrick  was  the  king  llrst  nanu'd  iiicli  by 
tlie  MohawkH,  atler  this  tlecisive  victory,  "who  lived  to  a  cri'at  age,"  says  Brown, 
"niid  was  killed  ut  tliebatth^of  Lake  CJeoijje  under  Sir  William  Johnson,'' — i^tHhot, 


\ 


f    -1^: 


*■  ''  ^1 


58 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1775, 


.'* 


The  relations  of  tlie  Stockbridge  Indians  with  the  Oneidas 
had  become  intimate,  and  it  is  very  possible  that  the  negotiations 
had  even  tlien  commenced  between  the  two  tribes,  which  a  few 
years  afterward  resulted  in  the  removal  of  the  Stockbridge  In- 
dians to  the  Oneida,  lie  that,  however,  as  it  may,  when  the 
troubles  began  to  thicken,  the  Provincial  Congress  of  Massa- 
chusetts sent  a  message  to  the  Stockbridge  Indians,  apprising 
them  of  the  gathering  tempest,  and  expressing  a  desire  to  culti- 
vate a  good  understanding  between  them.  The  Indians,  in 
return,  dispatched  Captain  Solomon  Ahhaunnauwaumut,  their 
ciiief  sachem,  to  the  Congress,  to  make  a  reply,  and  tuithc  11th 
of  April  he  delivered  the  following  speech  : 

"  liuoTiiKRs  :  AVe  have  heard  you  speak  by  your  letter — we 
thank  you  for  it  —we  now  make  answer, 

"Brothers  :  You  remember  when  you  first  came  over  tlie 
great  waters,  I  was  great  and  you  was  little,  very  small.  I  then 
took  you  in  for  a  friend,  and  kept  you  under  my  arms,  so  that 
no  one  might  injure  you  ;  since  that  time  we  have  ever  been  true 
friends  ;  there  has  never  been  any  quarrel  between  us.  But 
now  our  conditions  are  changed.  You  are  become  great  and 
tall.  You  reach  to  the  clouds.  You  are  seen  all  around  the 
world,  and  I  am  become  small,  very  little.  I  am  not  so  high 
as  your  heel.  Now  you  take  care  of  me,  and  I  look  to  you  for 
protection. 

"  Brothers:  lam  sorry  to  Iiear  of  tliis  great  quarrel  be- 
tween you  and  Old  England,  It  appears  that  blood  must  soon 
be  shed  to  end  this  quarrel.  We  never  till  this  day  understood 
the  foundation  of  this  quarrel  between  you  and  the  country 
you  came  from. 

"  Brotfiiir.s  :  Wlienever  I  see  your  blond  running,  you  will 
soon  lind  me  about  to  revenge  my  brother's  blood.  Although 
I  am  low  and  very  snndl,  I  will  grijKi  hold  of  your  enemy's 
heel,  that  he  cannot  run  so  fast,  and  so  light,  as  if  he  had  no- 
thing at  his  heels. 

"  Brothers  :  You  know  I  am  not  so  wise  as  you  are,  tlierc- 
fore  !  ask  yotu"  advice  in  what  I  am  now  going  to  say.  I  have 
been  thinking,  before  you  come  to  action,  to  take  ii  rim  to  the 
westwiM'd,  and  feel  the  mind  of  my  hulian  brethren,  the  Six 
Nations,  and  know  how  they  sluud — whether  they  are  on  your 


1775.] 


sTocrcnniDGE  and  oneidas. 


50 


llicrc- 

IlilVO 
|()  tliu 

;our 


I 


y 


side  or  for  your  enemies.  If  I  find  tliey  are  afraiust  you,  I 
will  try  to  turn  their  minds.  I  think  tliey  will  listen  to  me,  for 
they  have  always  looked  tliis  way  for  advice,  concerning;  all 
important  news  that  conies  from  the  risins;  of  the  sun.  If  they 
hearken  to  me,  you  will  not  be  afraid  of  any  dan!2;er  behind 
you.  However  their  minds  are  affected,  yon  shall  soon  know 
by  me.  Now  I  think  I  can  do  you  more  service  in  this  way, 
than  by  marching  otf  immcdiati^ly  to  Boston,  and  staying  there  ; 
it  may  be  a  great  while  belore  blood  runs.*  Now,  as  I  said,  you 
are  wiser  than  I ;  I  leave  this  for  your  consideration,  Avhether  I 
come  down  immediately  or  wait  till  I  hear  some  blood  is  spilled, 

"Brothers:  I  would  not  have  you  think  by  this  that  wo 
are  falling  back  from  our  engagements.  Wo  are  ready  to  do 
any  thing  for  your  relief,  and  shall  be  guided  by  your  counsel. 

"  Brothers  :  One  thing  I  ask  of  yon,  if  you  send  for  me 
to  fight,  that  yon  will  let  me  light  in  luy  own  Indian  way.  I 
am  not  used  to  fight  English  fashion,  therefore  you  must  not 
expect  I  can  train  like  your  men.  Only  point  out  to  mo  where 
your  enemies  keep,  and  that  is  all  I  shall  want  to  know." 

Two  days  afterward  the  Conjxress  directed  the  followina:  re- 
ply to  be  made  to  the  Moheakounuuck  tribe,  through  their 
chieftain  : 

'•Brothers:  Wc   this  day,   by  the  deleijato  from   Stock- 
bridge,  first  heard  of  your  friendly  answer  to  our  speech  to  you 
by  Captain  William  Goodrich,  which  answer  we  are  told  you 
made  to  us  immediately  by  a  letter,  which  we  have  not  yet  re 
ceived.     We  now  re])ly  : 

"BROTni:R.s:  You  say  that  you  were  ■ '^e  great,  but  that 
you  are  now  little  ;  and  that  we  were  once  ittle  and  are  now 
great.  The  JSnpreme  ^Spirit  orders  these;  things.  Whether  we 
are  little  or  great,  let  us  keej)  the  pfithof  friendship  clear,  which 
our  lathers  made,  and  in  which  we  have  both  travelled  to  this 
time.  The  friends  of  the  wicked  counsellors  of  our  King  fell 
upon  us,  and  sIkhI  some  blood  soon  after  we  spake  to  you  last 
by  letter.     Bnt  we,  with  a  small  twi:r,  killed  so  many,  and 

♦  A  romimny  of  ininutc-inon,  cumim-ed  {.A'  llic  Sidckhridiii'  Iiiilimi^,  wnsoi'tran> 
izi'il  by  llio  MassiK'liusi'tts  Coiij;ro:<s  In  foic^  llii'  lialllc  of  l.t'xiiiL;liin.  Tlicy  wci'o 
rotiiiiu'il  ill  wervico  somij  tiiiio  at'lur  tlio  svur  began,  and  ciiniu  down  and  joined  the 
cami)  at  Canibiidgi'. — >^)«i7,,?. 


60 


LIFE    OF    13RAXT. 


r-i  t»-m»^ 

[1/  io. 


h:'^i 


f^Ml^il 


■    'li 


friolitcned  them  so  much,  tliat  they  have  shut  themselves  up  in 
our  great  town,  called  Roston,  which  they  have  made  stroug. 
We  have  now  made  our  liatchets,  and  all  our  instrinnents  of 
war,  sharp  and  hrii,dit.  All  the  chief  counsellors,  who  live  on 
this  side  the  great  water,  are  sitting  in  the  grand  Coimcil 
House  in  Philadelphia;  when  they  give  the  Avord,  we  shall  all 
as  one  man,  f;dl  on,  and  drive  ou'*  enemies  out  of  their  strong 
fort,  and  jbllow  them  till  they  shall  take  their  hands  out  of  our 
pouches,  and  let  us  sit  in  our  council-house,  as  we  used  to  do, 
and  as  our  fathers  did  in  old  times. 

"  IJrotiikrs  :  Though  you  are  small,  yet  you  arc  wise. 
Use  your  wisdom  to  help  us.  If  you  think  it  best,  go  and 
smoke  your  pipe  with  your  Indian  brothers  toward  the  setting 
of  the  sun,  and  tell  them  of  all  you  hear  and  all  you  see  ;  and 
let  us  know  what  their  Avise  men  say.  If  some  of  your  young 
men  should  have  a  mind  to  see  what  we  are  doing,  let  them 
come  down  and  tarry  among  our  warriors.  We  will  provide 
for  them  while  they  are  here. 

"  BiioTiiER.s  :  When  3'ou  have  any  trouble,  come  and  tell  it 
to  us,  and  we  will  help  you."' 

•■'  To  Captain  Solomon  Ahhnnnnauicai(mut^  chief  Sacliem  of 
the  Molieakounnnck  Indians." 

These  documents  have  been  thus  incidentally  introduced, 
not  only  as  being  connected  with  the  niain  history,  and  also  as 
being  interesting  in  themselves,  but  in  justice  to  Guy  Johnson ; 
since,  in  r(\ii:ard  to  his  own  measures  of  defensive  preparation, 
he  is  entitled  to  the  benefit  of  all  the  facts,  going  to  warrant  his 
suspicions  that  an  extraneous  intluence  was  exerting  over  the 
subjects  of  his  general  superintendency  ;  and  it  can  hardly  be 
supposed  that  he  was  kept  altogether  in  ignorance,  either  of 
the  correspondence  with  Air.  Kirkland  or  of  that  with  (he  Stock- 
bridge  Indians,  through  whom,  prohably,  (he  Hostonians  were 
at  (he  sauK!  time  holding  intercourse  with  the  Six  Nations. 
Tliese  circumstances  could  not  but  awaken  a  lively  jealousy,  in 
regard  to  the  movements  of  (he  white  peoi)le  among  the  In 
dians  under  his  ch;>rge,  and  especially  in  regard  to  ]\]r.  Kirk- 
liuid.  Accordingly,  although  in  the  month  of  Feliruary  (he 
su])('rintenden(  had  no!  been  able  to  elfoct  the  removal  of  JMr. 
Kirkland  from  his  station  among  the  Oneidas,  he  nevertheless 


1775.J 


STOCKBRIDGK    AND    ONKIDAS. 


61 


accomplished  tliat  object  in  the  course  of  the  8prui2f.  as  appears 
by  a  letter  from  the  missionary  himself,  addressed  from  Cherry 
Valley  to  the  Albany  Committee  : 

Mr.  Kirkland  to  the  Co.AniiTTicF;  of  Albany, 

"  Cherry  Valley,  Jan.  9,  1775, 
"  Gkntlkjmen. 

"  I  am  niiicli  embarrassed  at  prestnit.  Yoii  Iiave  doubtless 
heard  that  Colonel  Johnson  has  orders  from  Government  to 
remove  the  dissenting  missionaries  from  the  Six  Nations,  till 
the  dillieulties  between  Great  FJritain  and  the  Colonies  are  set- 
tled ;  in  consequence  of  which  he  has  forbidden  my  return  to 
my  people  at  Oneida.  He  has  since  given  enconrngement  that 
I  may  revisit  them  after  the  Congress  is  closed  ;  but  to  be  plain, 
I  have  no  dependence  at  all  on  his  promises  of  this  kind.  lie 
appears  unreasonably  jealous  of  me,  and  has  forbidden  my 
speaking  a  word  to  the  Indians,  and  threatened  me  with  con- 
(inement  if  1  transgress.  All  he  has  against  me  I  suppose  to 
be  a  suspicion  that  I  have  interpreted  to  the  Indians  tlie  doings 
of  the  Continental  Congress,  which  has  undeceived  them,  and 
too  much  opened  their  eyes  for  Colonel  Johnson's  purposes.  I 
confess  to  you,  gentlemen,  that  I  have  been  guilty  of  this,  if  it 
be  a  transgression.  The  Indians  found  out  that  I  had  received 
the  abstracts  of  said  Congress,  and  insisted  upon  knowing  the 
contents.  I  could  not  deny  them,  notwithstanding  my  cloth, 
though  in  all  other  respects  I  have  been  extremely  cautious  not 
to  meddle  in  matters  of  a  political  nature.  I  api)r(3liend  that 
my  interpreting  the  doings  of  the  Congress  to  a  mnnber  of 
their  sachems,  has  done  more  real  good  to  the  cause  of  the 
country,  or  the  cause  of  truth  and  justice,  than  five  iumdred 
poinids  in  prt.'sents  would  iiave  elfected." 

Mr.  Kirkland  no  doubt  spoke  the  honest  truth  in  this  letter, 
Ilis  induence  Avas  great  among  the  Oneidas,  and  deservedly  so. 
Hence,  had  he  undertaken  the  task,  he  might,  beyond  all 
doubt,  and  easily,  iiave  persuaded  the  Indiiuis  of  his  forest- 
charge  to  espouse  the  cause  of  the  (Colonies.  Unt  he  did  no 
such  thing;  or,  at  least,  he  avoided  the  exertion  of  any  farther 
inline  nee  than  to  persuade  tluiui  to  the  aijoption  of  a  neutral 
policy.  This  determination,  probably,  was  an  act  of  their 
own  volition,  after  lisleuina^  to  the  interpretation  of  the  pro- 


'    I 


i 


!•  i 


,'l    S'i 


;! 


>  \\t 


b 


M'l 


62 


LIFF,    OF    BRANT. 


[1775. 


ceedings  of  Congress.  It  Avas  made  known  to  tlie  people  of 
New  England  by  the  lollowiug  address,  transmitted  by  the 
Oneidas  to  Governor  Trumbull,  of  Connecticut,  with  a  request 
that  he  would  cause  it  to  be  communicatcid  to  the  four  Sew 
England  Colonies : 

TiiK  Onkida  IxniANs  TO  Governor  Trumbull. 

"  As  my  younger  brotliers  of  the  New  England  Indians,  who 
have  settled  in  our  vicinity,  are  now  going  down  to  visit  their 
friends,  and  to  move  up  parts  of  their  families  that  were  left 
beliind— with  this  belt  by  them,  I  open  the  road  wide,  clearing 
it  of  all  obstacles,  that  they  may  visit  their  friends  and  return 
to  tlieir  settlements  here  in  peace. 

'•'  We  Onoidas  are  induced  to  tliis  measnre  on  account  of  the 
disagreeable  situation  of  affairs  that  way;  and  we  hope,  by  the 
help  of  God,  they  may  return  in  peace.  AVe  earnestly  recom- 
mend them  to  your  charity  tlu'ough  their  long  journey. 

"  Now  "we  .nore  inmiediatoly  address  you,  our  brother,  the 
Governor,  and  the  chiefs  of  New  England. 

"Brothers:  We  have  lieard  of  the  unliappy  differences 
and  great  contention  between  you  and  Old  England.  We 
wonder  greatly,  and  are  troubled  in  our  minds. 

•'  Brottiers  :  Possess  your  minds  in  peace  respecting  us  In- 
dians. We  cannot  intermeddle  in  tiiis  dispiUe  between  two 
lirothers.  The  quarrel  seems  to  be  unnatural.  You  :ire  /iro 
brothers  of  one  blood.  We  are  unwilling  to  ioin  on  either 
side  in  such  a  contest,  for  we  bear  an  eqn;il  affection  to  boih  you 
Old  and  New  England.  Should  the  great  king  of  England  apply 
to  us  for  aid,  we  shall  deny  him;  if  the  Colonies  apply,  wo 
shall  refuse.  The  present  situation  of  you  two  brothers  is  new 
and  strange  to  us.  We  Indians  cannot  find,  nor  recollect  in  the 
traditions  of  our  ancestors,  the  like  case,  or  a  similar  instance. 

"  Brothers  :  For  thes(!  reasons  possess  your  minds  in  peace, 
and  take  no  umbrage  thnt  we  Indians  refuse  joining  in  the 
contest.     We  are  for  peace. 

"Brothers:  Was  it  an  alien,  a  foreign  nation,  who  had 
struck  you,  we  should  look  into  th(>  matter.  We  hope,  throngli 
the  wis(!  government  and  good  pleasure  of  God,  your  distresses 
may  be  soon  removed  and  the  dark  clouds  be  dispersed. 

"  Brotiier.s  :  As  we  hwo.  declared  for  peace,  v;e  desire  you 


( 


ni.: 


1775.] 


LETTER   TO   THE    ON'-'IDA.S. 


G3 


the 


IS  In- 
two 
tu-o 
tlier 

','OU 

•I 

ICW 

n  the 
\ncc. 
cace, 
tho 

lind 


you 


will  not  apply  to  our  Indian  bretliren  in  New  I']nf,dand  for  their 
assistance.  Let  us  Indians  be  all  of  one  mind,  and  live  with 
one  anuther  ;  and  you  \vhitc  people  settle  your  own  disputes 
between  yourselves. 

'•'  Brothers  :  We  have  now  declared  our  minds  ;  please  to 
write  to  us.  tliat  we  may  know  yours.  "We.  the  sacliems  and  war- 
riors, and  female  governesses  of  Oneida,  send  ourlovc  to  you, 
brotiier  governor,  and  all  the  otiier  chiefs  in  New  England."'* 

Of  an  Indian  fee  tho  inhabitants  of  Tryon  County  enter- 
tained a  special  dread.  In  the  communication  of  the  Palatine 
Committee  to  that  of  Albany,  therefore,  cited  a  few  pages 
back,  it  was  suggested  whether  it  would  not  be  expedient  to 
prevent  the  sending  of  powder  and  ammunition  into  the  jMo- 
hawk  Valley,  unless  consigned  to  the  Committee,  to  be  sold  under 
their  inspection.  In  conclusion,  tiie  Connuittee  declared,  that, 
although  few  in  number,  they  were  determined  to  let  the  world 
see  wiio  were,  and  who  were  not,  attached  to  the  cause  of  Ame- 
rican liberty ;  and  they  closed  by  avowing  their  fixed  deter- 
mination, "  to  carry  into  t.xocv.tion  every  thing  recommended 
"  by  the  Continental  Congress,  and  to  be  free  or  die." 

Three  days  after  making  this  communication  to  their  Albany 
brethren,  that  is  to  say  on  the  21st  of  May,  tho  question 
whether  Guy  Johnson  was  or  was  not  tampering  with  the  In- 
dians in  anticipation  of  hostilities,  was  solved  by  an  inter- 
cepted communication  from  Thayendancgea  to  the  chiefs  of  'he 
Oneida  tribe.  The  letter,  written  in  the  Mohawk  lauffuaac" 
was  found  in  an  Indian  path,  and  was  supposed  to  have  been" 
lost  by  one  of  their  runners.  The  following  is  a  translation, 
being  the  earliest  specimen  extant  of  the  composition  of  Brant. 

"  Written  at  Guy  Johnson''s,  May,  1775. 
"  This  is  your  letter,  you  great  ones  or  sachems.     Guy  Jchu- 
son  says  he  will  be  glad  if  you  get  this  intelligence,  you  0\n:\- 
das,  how  it  goes  with  him  now ;  and  he  is  now  more  certaia 

+  The  triinslation  of  this  Oneida  proclamation  of  neutrality  was  made  by  Mr 
Kirkland,  for  Gordon's  History  of  tho  Revolution.  It  was  signed  by  William 
^unoghfis,  J^ickldsha  Walshaledgh,  William  Kanaghquaesed,  Peter  Thayebeare, 
Jimmy  Tekayabeare,  J^'ickbis  ^ghsenbare,  i.  e.  garter;  Thomas  Yoghtanotoea,  \.  e. 
spreading  of  the  dew  ;  Jidam  Ohonwano,  Q,uedellis  ,Qgioerondongwas,  i.  e.  breaking 
of  tho  twigs  ;  Hamlerebtks  TegahsioeaMyen,  i.  c.  a  belt  (of  wampum)  extended  ; 
Johnko'  Skeanendon,  Thomas  Teondeatha,  i.  o.  a  fallen  tree, 

13 


Ml 

lis' 

:ir  i 


in!  J 


,l> 


#'"" 


'- '  i 


64 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1775. 


concerning  the  intention  of  the  Boston  people.  Guy  Johnson 
is  in  great  fear  of  being  taken  prisoner  by  the  Bostonians.  We 
Mohawks  are  obliged  to  watch  him  constantly.  Therefore  we 
send  you  tliis  intelligence,  that  you  shall  know  it ;  and  Guy 
Johnson  assures  himself,  and  depends  upon  your  coming  to  his 
assistance,  and  that  you  will  without  fail  be  of  tliat  opinion.' 
He  believes  not  that  you  will  assent  to  let  him  suffer.  Wc 
therefore  expect  you  in  a  couple  of  days  time.  So  much  at 
present.  We  send  but  so  far  as  to  you  Oneidas,  but  afterward 
perhaps  to  all  the  other  nations.  We  conclude,  and  expect  that 
you  will  have  concern  about  our  ruler,  Guy  Johnson,  because 
we  are  all  united. 

"  (Signed)  "  Aren  Kannknzaron, 

"Johannes  TKOARiHoor:, 
"  Deyagodeaghnaweagh." 
"  Joseph  Brant, 

"  Guy  Johnso7i\<t  Interpreter^ 

The  surface  of  this  intercepted  despatch  discloses  nothing 
more  than  a  desire,  on  tiie  part  of  Guy  Johnson,  to  strengthen 
his  domestic  forces  for  the  protection  of  his  person,  in  the  event 
of  any  attempt  to  seize  and  carry  him  away.  But  the  inhabit- 
ants allowed  liim  no  credit  for  sincerity.  Information  had 
been  received  from  Canada,  through  the  emissaries  sent  thitlier 
by  the  revolutionary  leailcrs  in  Massachusetts,  that  secret  agents 
of  the  Crown  had  been  sent  among  the  Six  Nations,  to  stir  tliem 
up  against  the  Colonies.*  Hence  the  corrospondcmce  of  the 
Massachusetts  Congress  with  Mr.  Kirkland  and  the  Indians, 
already  given;  and  hence,  also,  the  increasing  apprehension  of 
the  people,  tliat  the  Indians  were  to  be  inflamed  and  let  loose 
upon  them.  Such,  coiis(.'((nently,  was  tluMr  distrust  of  Johnson, 
that  they  neither  believed  there  was  any  design  against  his  per- 
son, nor  that  lie  was  laboring  under  any  apprehension  of  the 
kind.  There  is  no  reason  to  doubt,  however,  that  Guy  John- 
son did  feel  his  position  to  be  (;ritieal.  General  Schuyler  hud 
his  eye  upon  him;  and,  beyond (piestion,  his  every  motion  was 
so  closely  watched  as  to  make  him  feel  very  unconifortid)!e.t 

♦  Spnrku. 

t  "  Wutch  till!  movi-niinitu  (if  tin*  Indinn  ngrnf,  r'oloncl  Oiiy  .ToIiiimoii,  nnd  prrvrnt, 
•<j  Tiir  i»n  you  niii,  llii-  t'Hi'ct  of  liis  inlluoncc,  to  our  |>r«'iiidii;c',  with  lliu  Indium."— 
J.Mtr  fivm  ll'aaliitiglon  to  (Jen,  Sc/myUrf  Junt,  1775. 


1775.] 


COL.    GUY    JOHNSON. 


65 


iniis, 
on  of 

OOSti 

son, 

Iicr- 

tlio 

olin- 

IU)(t 

was 
Met 


Evidence,  indisputable,  that  such  wa.s  the  fact,  is  afforded  in 
the  correspondence  annexed.  The  followino^  letter  was  ad- 
dressed, at  about  the  same  time,  by  Guy  Johnson  to  the  magis- 
trates of  the  Upper  Mohawk  settlements  : — 

"  Gmj  Park,  May  20th,  1775. 
"Gentlemen, 

"  I  have  lately  had  repeated  accounts  that  a  body  of  New 
Englanders,  or  others,  were  to  come  to  seize  and  carry  away 
my  person  and  attack  our  family,  under  colour  of  malicious 
insinuations  that  I  intended  to  set  the  Indians  npou  the  people. 
Men  of  sense  and  character  know  that  my  oliicc  is  of  the 
highest  importance  to  promote  peace  amongst  the  Six  Nations, 
and  prevent  their  entering  into  any  such  disputes.  This  I  ct- 
fected  last  year,  M'^lien  they  were  much  vexed  about  the  attack 
made  upon  the  .Sliawancse,  and  I  last  winter  appointed  them  to 
meet  me  this  month  to  receive  the  answer  of  the  Virginians. 
All  men  must  allow,  that  if  the  Indians  Ihid  their  council  fire 
disturbed,  and  their  superintendent  insulted,  they  will  take  a 
dreadful  revenge.  It  is  therellire  the  tliUy  of  all  people  to  pre 
vent  this,  and  to  satisfy  any  who  may  have  been  imposed  on, 
that  their  suspicions,  and  the  allegations  they  have  collected 
against  me,  arc  false,  and  inconsistcnit  with  my  character  and 
ollice.  I  recommend  this  to  you  as  highly  necessary  at  this 
time,  as  my  regard  for  the  interest  of  the  cf)untry,  and  self-pre- 
servation, has  obliged  me  to  lortify  my  house,  and  keep  men 
armed  for  my  defence,  till  these  idle  and  ridiculous  re])orts  are 
removed. 

"  You  may  lay  this  letter  before  such  as  are  interested  in 
Ihoso  matters. 

"  I  am,  Gentlemen, 

"  Your  Humble  Servant, 
"To  the  magistrates  and  others  "G.Johnson." 

of  l*alaline,  (^anajoharie,  lUiU 

the  Upper  Districts."* 

In  view  of  tlies(^  letters  — (lid  mferee|>fe(l  (les|)atch  from  Jo- 
seph Hrant  and  others  to  the  Oueidas,  and  Johnson's  letter  to 
the   Committeo — the  latter   body  adoj)ted  a  series  of  resolu- 


*  Tlua  letter  ii  tranxcrihcd  Trom  the  original  In  the  aullior'i  poMciRJon. 


:-r     I 


66 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1775. 


i:     ■ 


i  i 


^1  :     I 


1i!  ;! 


;l 


tionSj  renewing  their  expressions  of  sympathy  for  the  snfler- 
ings  ot'  their  brethren  in  Massachusetts  and  the  oilier  Colonies; 
declaring  their  approbation  of  the  proceedings  of  the  New 
England  Colonies  in  the  existing  crisis  ;  denouncing  the  con- 
duct of  Colonel  Johnson  in  keeping  an  armed  force  constantly 
about  him,  and  stopping  travellers  u])on  the  King's  highway, 
"  as  arbitrary,  illegal,  oppressive,  and  un\varrantal)le  :"  ;ind  de- 
claring their  determination  "never  to  submit  to  any  arbitrary 
"  acts  of  any  power  under  heaven,  or  to  any  illegal  and  unwar 
"  rantable  action  of  any  man  or  set  of  men  "  whatever. 

In  addition  to  the  belore-menlioned  intercepted  letter,  it  was 
ascertained  that  already  expresses  had  artuidly  been  s(  nt  to  the 
upper  tribes  of  the  Six  Nations,  to  invite  them  down  to  Cuy 
Johnson's  house.  His  own  domestic  army  amounted  to  five 
hundred  men,  and  ho  had  now  cut  off  all  free  communication 
between  the  upper  Mohawk  settlements  and  Albany.  And  al- 
though the  districts  of  Palatine,  Cjinajoharie,  and  the  German 
Flatls  were  sanctioning  the  ])roceedings  of  the  Continental 
Congress  with  much  unanimity,  they  were  in  a  great  measure 
unarmed  and  destitute  of  ammunition — not  liaving  more  than 
fifty  pounds  of  powder  in  the  districts.  Under  these  circum- 
stances, the  Committee  wrote  an  urgent  letter  to  Albany,  rcpre- 
sentiuij:  their  situation,  and  sugoesting  whether  it  might  not  bo 
expedient  to  open  the  eommunicalion  throuii'h  the  lower  dis- 
tricts of  the  valley  by  forc(\  They  also  advised  the  sendiuij  of 
two  trusty  messengers,  well  ae(|uaiuted  with  the  Indian  lan- 
guajre,  to  the  ujtper  nations,  to  dissuade  them,  if  possible,  from 
obeying  the  summons  of  Guy  Johnson,  and  to  enlighten  theni 
in  respect  of  the  true  nature  and  causes  of  the  quarrel  with  tho 
King's  goveriuneiil. 

This  letter  was  despatched  by  express,  and  the  Albany  (^im- 
niittee  replied  on  the  followiui,''  day,  advising  their  friends  of 
the  upper  districts  that  they  had  no  lunmunition  to  sriare,  and 


dissuading  tiuMu  from  any  attempt  to  re-open  the  eonnnuniea- 
liou  by  force.  That  ])roj(M't  was  accordingly  abandoned  ;  but 
tho  Committeo  sent  four  of  its  members  to  Albany,  to  gain 
information  as  to  the  condition  of  the  country  generally,  and 
with  inslnieiions  to  procure  a  <|n(mtily  of  powder  niid  lead — • 
the  Coinmillee  holding  ilself  res|K»iisil)le  for  tli(>  purchase  mo- 
ney.    Meuntimo  they  pushed  their  measures  of  internal  orga- 


'  t 


1775.] 


SPIRIT    OF   THK    PEOPLE. 


67 


Hii- 
Ind 

lilt 

liiii 
liul 


lio- 


nization  with  great  energy  find  success,  establishing  snh-com- 
mittees  wherever  it  was  expedient,  and  assuming  tlie  exercise  of 
legislative,  judicial,  and  executive  powers.  Secret  articles  for 
mutual  succour  and  defence  were  prepared,  and  very  generally 
signed  by  the  AVhigs  ;  and  threato  having  been  uttered  hy  Guy 
Johnson,  that  unless  the  Committees  desisted  from  the  course 
they  were  pursuing,  he  would  seize  and  imprison  certain  of 
their  number,  they  solemnly  bound  themselves  to  rescue  any 
who  might  thus  be  arrested,  by  force,  "  unless  such  persons 
"  should  be  confined  by  legal  process,  issued  upon  a  legal 
"ground,  and  executed  in  a  legal  maimer." 

It  is  here  wortliy,  not  only  of  special  note,  but  of  all  admira- 
tion, how  completely  and  entirely  these  border-men  held  theiu- 
selves  amenable,  in  the  most  tr;-ing  exigencies,  to  the  just 
execution  of  the  laws.  Throughout  all  their  proceedings,  the 
history  of  the  Tryon  Connnitteos  will  show  that  they  were 
governed  by  the  i)urest  dictates  of  palridlism,  and  the  liiglu>st 
regard  to  mor;d  principle.  I'nliki!  the  rude  inhabitaius  of 
most  frontier  selllemt  nt",  especially  under  circumstances  wiien 
the  magistracy  are,  from  necessity,  almost  powerless,  the  fron- 
tier patriots  of  Tryon  County  were  scrupulous  in  their  devotion 
to  the  supremacy  of  the  laws.  Their  leading  men  were  like- 
wise distinguished  for  their  mi'lligcnce ;  and  wiiile  North 
t.'arolina  is  disputing  wheth(>r  she  did  not  in  fact  utter  a 
declaration  of  independence  before  it  was  don(>  by  Conirress,  by 
recurring  to  the  lirst  declaration  of  the  J'alatin(^  Committee, 
noted  in  its  proper  place,  \\\o  example  may  almost  be  said  to 
have  proceeded  from  the  Valley  of  iIk;  i\h)liawU. 

iSinuillaueously  with  his  letter  to  the  magistracy  of  the  up- 
per districts,  (Juy  .h)hnson  hiid  despntehed  another  of  the  same 
pnrport,  but  entering  nim-e  into  detail,  to  the  .Mayor,  Aldermen, 
and  (.'onnueuidty  of  the  cities  of  Albany  and  .Schenectady,  of 
which  the  following  is  a  copy.     The  date  is  wanting  : — 

"  (il.NTLK.MKN, 

"  As  the  |ieace  and  liap|)inoss  of  the  eoinilry  are  objects  which 
nverygood  man  sliotdd  havt?  at  heart.  I  think  it  hiLfhly  neces- 
sary to  acipiaint  yon  that  for  a  lew  days  I  have  been  put  to  the 
gr((at  iroidtle  and  expense  ol"  lorlil'ying  my  house,  and  keeping 
u  large  body  of  men  for  the  defence  of  my  person,  dec. ;  having 


•I,  1  i 


W'?',      :  I 


I   iV 


'I   .' 


:ilii' 


n  I 


'  I 


68 


LIFE    OF    BUANT. 


[1775. 


received  repeated  accounts  that  either  the  New  Eiiijlandcrs,  or 
some  persons  in  or  about  tiie  city  of  Albany  or  town  of  Sciie- 
nectady,  are  con)inn'  up,  to  a  considerable  number,  to  seize  and 
imprison  me  on  a  ridiculous  and  malicious  report  that  1  intend 
to  make  the  Indians  destroy  the  inhabitants,  or  to  that  eflect. 
The  absurdity  of  this  apprehension  may  easily  be  seen  hymen 
of  sense;  hut  as  many  credulous  and  ifjuorant  persons  may  bo 
led  astray,  and  inclined  to  believe  it,  and  as  they  have  already 
sent  down  accounts,  examinations,  &c.  from  busy  people  here, 
that  I  can  fully  prove  to  be  totally  devoid  of  all  foundation,  it 
has  become  the  duty  of  all  those  who  have  autliority  or  influ- 
ence, to  disabuse  the  public,  and  prevent  consequences  which  I 
foresee  with  very  groat  concern,  and  most  cordially  wish  may 
be  tiuK'ly  prevented.  Any  difference  in  jiolitical  ideas  can  ne- 
ver justify  such  extravagant  opinions  ;  and!  little  imagined tliat 
they  sliould  liave  gained  belief  amongst  any  order  of  people, 
who  know  my  character,  station,  and  the  large;  property  T  have 
in  tiie  country,  and  the  duties  ol  my  ollice,  which  are  to  pre- 
serve tranquility  among  the  Indians,  hear  their  grievances,  &c. 
and  pivviMit  them  from  falling  upon  the  trad(>  and  frontiers. 
These  last  were  greatly  threatened  l)y  the  Indians,  on  account 
of  the  disturbances  last  ycitr  between  the  Virginians  and  the 
►Sliawancse.  during  which  my  endeavours  prevented  the  Six 
Nations  Irom  taking  a  pnrt  that  would  hiive  possibly  affected 
the  j)ublic  ;  and  I  a|))iointe(l  last  l-'all  thiit  the  Six  Nations  should 
come  to  me  this  montli,  in  order  to  receiA'e,  anionirst  other 
things,  final  sntisfnetion  concerning  tlie  lands  said  to  he  invaded 
by  fh(!  Virginians,  who  'inve  now  sent  nie  their  answer.  In  the 
discharge  of  this  duty,  I  likewise  essentially  served  the  public  ; 
but  should  r  neglect  myself  and  be  tamely  mode  prisoner,  it  is 
clear  to  all  who  know  any  thing  ol' Indians,  they  will  not  sit  still 
and  see  their  council  fire  extingnishcd,  and  suiierinliMident  dri- 
ven Irom  his  duly,  but  will  come  upon  lh<>  frontiers  in  revenge, 
with  a  j)o\ver  sullieient  to  commit  horrid  devaslaiiou.  It  is, 
therefore,  become!  as  neu-essary  to  the  public  as  to  mys(>lf,  that 
my  person  should  be  defended;  but  as  the  measures  I  am  ne- 
cessitated to  take  lor  that  jinrpose  may  occasion  the  propngalion 
of  additional  falsehoods,  and  may  at  last  appear  lo  the  Indians 
in  a  light  that  is  not  li^r  lh(>  bi-nelit  of  the  pdilie,  I  sliould 
hearldy  wish,  gentlemen,  that  you  could  take  such  measures 


ri 


'  '  'i  'i '  I 


1775.] 


COL.    GUY    JOllNSOX. 


69 


for  removing  these  apprehensions,  as  may  enable  me  to  dis- 
cliarge  my  dnties,  (which  do  not  interfere  with  the  pubhc,) 
without  the  protection  of  ;  rmed  men  and  the  api)rehension  of 
insult ;  and  as  the  public  are  much  interested  in  this,  I  mu'::t 
beg  to  have  your  answer  as  soon  as  possible. 

"  I  am,  Gentlemen, 

"  Your  most  humble  Servant, 

«  G.  Johnson."* 

"  To  the  Magistrates  and  Committee 
of  Schenectady,  and  to  the  Mayor, 
Corporation,  &c.  of  Albany.  To 
be  forwarded  by  the  former." 


iMigr, 
It  is, 
that 
li  no- 
li I  ion 
limis 
Id 


k)U 


lurca 


To  this  letter  the  municipality  of  Albany  promptly  replied, 
expressing  tlieir  conviction  that  the  reports  were  utterly  ground- 
less, and  that  they  had  been  originated  for  the  purpose  ot 
awakening  hostile  feelings  in  the  minds  of  the  liulians.  They 
also  gave  th(!  Colonel  an  admonitory  hint  that  he  need  be  ap- 
prehensive of  no  indignity  upon  his  person,  or  injury  to  his 
property,  so  long  as  he  studied  to  jnomote  the  pciice  and  W(!l- 
fure  of  the  country,  by  executing  his  duties  ;»s  su])erintendent 
of  the  Indians  "with  an  honest  heart."  In  conclusion,  they 
exhorted  him  to  use  all  means  in  his  power  to  tranquiiize  the 
Indiiuis,  by  assuring  them  that  the  reports  were  without  any 
just  foundation,  and  "that  nothing  would  afford  his  j>Iajesty's 
"subjects  in  general  a  greaier  satisfaction  than  to  be,  and  con- 
"  tinue  with  lliem,onthcstrictest  terms  of  pence  and  friendship." 

On  the  whol(\  however,  there  is  no  good  reason  to  doubt 
that  Guy  Johnson  was,  in  rcnlity,  apprehensive  of  a  climdestino 
visit  from  the  Yankees,  and  possibly  of  an  abduction.  Tho 
gr(>at  inlluence  of  hisollicial  station,  and  his e(|ui vocal  conduct, 
had  created  univ(;rsal  distrust;  and  th(!  allair  of  the  "Tea 
l*arty  "  had  taught  the  loyalists,  that  the  Hostonians  were!  as 
adroit  and  I'eiu'iess  in  stratagem  as  in  deeds  of  o|)en  daring  and 
bold  emprise.  Hefore  the  receijit  of  tho  preccMling  letters,  more- 
over, it  was  well  understood  that  iiu  had  arrested  and  searched 
tho  persons  of  two  New  Englanders,  suspicious,  as  it    was 

♦  'riiin  lotliT  lim«l)oi'ii  rojiicd  iVoin  tlin  orij{iiinl,  foiinil  by  llic  author  uinongtliculd 
pajturH  II)  the  otlico  ofthu  Sitrclurv  of  Sliilc,  Alhtny. 


MM 


,«i'n 


70 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1775. 


inferred,  and  probably  not  without  reason,  that  they  had  been 
despatched  on  a  mission  to  the  Indians,  with  whom  it  was 
pohey  to  prevent  any  communication,  save  through  his  own 
interposition.  Nor  cou.d  ne  be  ignorant  of  the  fact,  tliat  at  that 
critical  conjuncture,  the  possession  of  his  person  might  be  of 
as  much  consequence  to  those  who  were  on  the  verge  of 
rebellion,  as  of  detriment  to  the  service  in  which  his  predilec- 
tions would  probably  induce  him  to  engage 


'        i 


1l   i'J 


M 


i! 


'  If;  « 


775. 

been 
was 
own 
that 
)e  of 
e  of 
ilec- 


CHAPTER  IV. 


Council  of  the  Mohawk  chiefs  at  Guy  Park — A  scconil  council  called  by  Jolinson 
at  Cosby's  Manor — Proceeds  thither  witii  iiis  retinue — First  full  meeting  of  Tryon 
County  Conunittcp — Correspondence  with  Guy  Johnson — No  council  hold — 
Johnson  proceeds  farther  West,  accompanied  by  his  family  and  most  of  the  In- 
dians— Consequent  apprehensions  of  the  people — Communication  from  Massa- 
tlinsetls  Congress — Ticonderoga and  Crown  Point  taken  by  F.liian  Alien — Skcnes- 
borough  and  St.  Johns  surprised — Fartiier  proceedings  in  Massachusetts — Battle 
of  Bunker  Hill — Death  of  Warren — Council  with  the  ( )neidas  and  Tuscaroras  at 
German  Fialts — Speech  to  the  Indians — Suhsripient  council  with  the  Oneidas — 
("onduct  of  the  people  toward  Guy  Johnson — Speech  to,  and  reply  of  Uneidas — 
Guy  Johnson  moves  westwardly  to  Ontario — His  letter  to  tlie  Provincial  Congress 
of  New- York — Holds  a  great  Indian  council  ai  the  West — Unfavourable  inilufuco 
upon  the  dispositions  of  the  Indians — Causes  of  their  partiality  for  the  Fnglish — 
Great,  but  groundless  alarm  of  tiie  people — (iuy  Johnson,  with  Brant  ami  the 
Indian  warriors,  descends  the  St,  Lawrence  to  Montreal — Council  there — Sir  Guy 
Carleton  and  Gen.  Haldimand  complete  the  work  of  wiiming  the  Indians  over  to 
the  cause  of  the  Crown. 

A  COUNCIL  of  the  Mohawk  chiefs  was  held  at  Guy  Park," 
ou  the  25th  of  May,  wliicli  was  attenrled  hy  delegates  from  Al- 
bany and  Tryon  Counties.  The  records  of  this  council  are 
very  scanty  iiiid  unsatisfactory.  The  principal  chief  of  the 
Mohawk  tribe  at  that  time  wn^  Little  Ab/'ahojnt — a  brother 
of  the  famous  He.<drick  wiio  fell  at  Lake  Georjge,  in  the  year 
1775.  The  council  having  been  opened  for  business,  Little 
Abrttham  iiddresscd  them  as  follows  : — 

"lie  said  he  w.is  glad  to  meet  them,  and  to  hear  the  reports 
concerning  taking  Guy  .Fohnson,  their  superintendent,  were 
false.  That  the  Indians  do  not  wish  to  have  a  quarrel  with  the 
inhabitants.  Thatdm-ing  Sir  William  Johnson's  lifetime,  and 
since,  we  have  been  ])eaceably  disposed ;  that  the  Indians  are 
alarmed  on  accomitof  the  reports  thatom-  powder  was  stopped. 
We  get  our  things  from  the  sui)erintendent.  If  we  lived  as 
you  do,  it  would  not  bo  so  great  a  loss.  If  our  ammunition  is 
stopped,  we  shall  distrust  you.  We  are  pleased  to  hoar  you  say, 
you  will  communicate  freely,  and  wo  will  at  all  times  listen  to 
what  you  say  in  presence  of  our  superintendent." 

*  Guy  Park :  a  beautiful  Bituation  immediately  on  tho  bank  of  the  Mohawk. 
The  elegant  stono  mansion  is  yet  upon  tho  premises,  giving  tho  best  evidences  of 
<<ubstantial  building. 

t  Little  Abraham  seems  rather  to  have  been  a  leading  chief  at  the  Lower  Cnitl* 
of  tho  Mohawks— not  the  principal  War  Chief. 

u 


Vi  "i 


H'   .! 


I    J'J  f 


72 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1775. 


After  a  consultation  with  each  other,  the  deputations  from 
the  two  County  Comniittces  replied,  in  substance,  that  "Tliey 
were  glad  to  hear  Iheai  expressing  a  desire  to  maintain  the  an- 
cient friendship  which  had  subsisted  between  their  fathers. 
They  assured  the  chiefs  that  the  reports  of  evil  designs  against 
their  superintendent  were  false.  They  farther  promised  the 
chiefs,  that  whenever  they  had  any  business  to  transact  with 
them,  they  would  meet  them  at  their  own  council  fires,  and  in 
presence  of  their  superintendent." 

To  which  the  Mohawk  speaker  responded  to  the  following 
effect : — 

"  The  Indians  are  glad  that  you  are  not  surprised  that  we 
cannot  spare  Col.  Johnson.  The  love  we  have  for  the  memory 
of  Sir  William  Johnson,  and  the  obligations  the  whole  Six  Na- 
tions are  under  to  ium,  must  make  us  regard  and  protect  every 
branch  of  his  family.  We  will  explain  these  things  to  all  the 
Indians,  and  hope  you  will  do  the  same  to  your  people." 

This  council  having  been  but  thinly  attended,  and  only  by 
one  tribe  of  the  Indians,  the  superintendent  immediately  direct- 
ed the  assembling  of  another  in  tlie  western  part  of  the  county, 
to  attend  which  he  proceeded  to  the  German  Flatts,  with  his 
whole  family  and  retinue.  Ilis  quarters  were  at  the  house  of 
a  Mr.  Thompson,  on  Cosby's  manor,  a  few  miles  above  the 
flatts.  It  has  been  alleged  that  this  second  council  was  con- 
voked because  of  the  super'ntendeiu's  dissatisfaction  with  the 
first  -a  conclusion  not  unlikely,  from  the  absence  of  the  west- 
tern  Indians,  who  had  been  invited. 

On  the  2d  of  June  there  was,  for  the  first  time,  a  full  meet- 
ing of  the  Tryon  County  Committee — the  loyalists  lu;ving 
previously  prevented  the  attendance  of  delegates  from  the 
lower,  or  Mohawk  district.*  This  Committee  addressed  a. 
strong  and  patriotic  letter  to  the  superintendent,  formally  noti- 

♦  It  may  be  interesting  to  some  to  give  llic  nnniea  of  tliia  body  of  men,  wlio  hnd 
DO  often  professed  their  willingness  to  pciil  liieir  lives  and  property  in  (Ufenec  of  liio 
liberties  of  li'.eir  eonntry.  ([•"'rom  Piilatine  distnet) — rinisfoplirr  P. '\'iitep,  John 
Frey,  Andrew  Fink,  Andrew  llcebcr,  Peter  Wnggoner,  Daniel  McDoiigal,  Jai  ob 
Klock,  George  Eeker,  Jnn.,  llnrinanus  Van  Slyck,  Cinistopher  W.  Fox,  Anllony 
Van  Veohten.  (Connjohariedislriel) — INiclioIas  lliikiiner,  F.henezcrt'ox,  ^Villialn 
Seebor,  John  Moore,  Samuel  Campbell,  .Sotnuel  Clyde,  Thoiniis  Henry,  .Tohn 
Pickurd.      iKingslond  and  German   Flatta  diatrieta)— Edward  Wall,  William 


'&. 


1775.] 


COL.    GUY    JOHNSON. 


73 


illKJ 

"llm 

•<iiiy 
liaiii 
Tolin 
liam 


fying  him  of  the  purposes  of  their  organization.  After 
adverting  to  tlie  oppressions  of  the  mother  country,  in  repeat- 
ed attCDipls  to  enforce  unconstitutional  enactments  of  Parha- 
mcnt,  and  asserting  their  principles  on  the  suhject  of  taxation 
without  representation — principles  which  tliey  declared  to  be 
undeniable — they  avowed  their  object  to  be,  to  consult  as  to  the 
best  metiiods  of  saving  the  country  from  devastation  and  ruin  ; 
•"'  wiiich  object,  with  the  assistance  of  Divine  Providence,  it 
'■' was  their  fixed  deterniination  and  resolution  to  accomplish  ;" 
adding,  with  emphasis,  '-and  if  called  upon,  we  shall  be  fore- 
"'  most  in  sharing  tlic  toil  and  danger  of  the  field."  They 
once  mo''e  aJvevted  to  the  distressed  situation  of  the  people  of 
New  I'iUgland  in  the  common  cause;  and  declared  that  they 
sliould  Ije  wanting  in  duty  to  their  country  and  to  themselves, 
were  tliey  longer  to  refrain  from  announcing  their  determina- 
tion to  the  world.  After  repelling  the  charges  pronuilgaled 
against  them,  of  having  compelled  people  to  join  their  Com- 
mittees, and  of  having  drunk  treasonable  toasts,  they  proceeded 
to  discuss  matters  more  directly  personal  to  the  superintendent 
himself.  The  following  is  an  extract  from  this  portion  of  the 
letter  :— 

'•  We  are  not  ignorant  of  the  very  great  importance  of  your 
oflice  as  superintendent  of  the  Indians,  and  therefore  it  is  no 
more  our  duty  than  inclination  to  protect  you  in  the  discharge 
of  the  duty  of  your  proper  province  ;  and  we  meet  you  with 
pleasure  in  behalf  of  ourselves  ;md  our  constituents,  to  thank 
you  for  meeting  the  Indians  in  the  upper  parts  of  the  County, 
whicii  may  be  the  means  of  easing  the  people  of  the  remainder 
of  tlioir  fears  on  this  account,  and  prevent  the  Indians  com- 
mitting irregularities  on  their  way  down  to  Guy  Park.  And 
we  beg  of  you  to  use  your  endeavours  with  the  Indians,  to  dis- 
suade them  from  interfering  in  the  dispute  with  the  mother 
couulry  and  the  Colonies.  We  cannot  think  that,  as  you  and 
your  family  possess  very  large  estates  in  this  County,  you  are 

Pclry,  .Tolm  I'ltry,  Aii;;iistiiio  TTosg,  l^rcduriclc  Ofciulorf,  George  Went?,,  Michael 
Itli'.',  t'li'di'mk  l''ox,  (.)l'oi!;o  lIiMUimur,  Uuiicaii  Mct)ou<Tiil,  I'^rednrick  lltliiu'r, 
.loliii  I'riiik.  (Molmwk  district) — Tohn  Morlctt,  Joliii  131iven,  Abraham  Vaa 
tlornc,  .'Vdum  I-'oiidu,  i'rederick  Fislior,  Sampson  Saminons,  Williaru  Schuyler, 
Volkcrt  Vet'dcr,  Jamca  ^lc;^^asl(!r,  Duiiii.'l  Line— 42.  Christoplier  P.  Yates  wai 
chosen  chairman  of  this  body, — Campl>ell''s  Annals, 


74 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1775. 


m  ni 


'.f!!| 


HA' 


'L         f. 


ri'li;  ^1 


unfavourable  to  American  freedom,  although  you  may  differ 
with  us  in  the  mode  of  obtaining  a  redress  of  grievances. 
Permit  us  farther  to  observe,  that  we  cannot  pass  over  in  si- 
lence the  interruption  which  the  people  of  the  Mohawk  district 
met  in  their  meeting  ;  wliicli,  we  are  informed,  was  conducted  in 
a  peaceable  manner  ;  and  the  inhuman  treatment  of  a  man, 
whose  only  crime  was  being  faithful  to  his  employers,  and  re- 
fusing to  give  an  account  of  the  receipt  of  certain  papers,  to 
persons  who  had  not  the  least  colour  of  right  to  demand  any 
thing  of  that  kind.  We  assure  you  that  we  are  much  con- 
cerned about  it,  as  two  important  rights  of  English  subjects  are 
thereby  infringed — to  wit,  a  right  to  meetj  and  to  obtain  all  the 
intelligence  in  their  power." 

Colonel  Nicholas  Herkimer  and  Edward  Wall  were  deput- 
ed to  deliver  the  letter  to  the  superintendent,  for  which  purpose 
they  proceeded  to  Cosby's  Manor,  and  discharged  their  trust. 
The  following  was  Colonel  Johnson's  reply — manly  and  direct ; 
and  with  which,  if  sincere,  certainly  no  fault  could  be  found, 
bating  the  lack  of  courtesy  in  its  commencement : — 

"  Thompson''s,  Coshi/s  Manor,  June  5th,  1775. 
"  Gentlemen, 

"  I  have  received  the  paper  signed  Chris.  P.  Yates,  Chair- 
man, on  behalf  of  the  districts  therein  mentioned,  which  I  am 
now  to  answer,  and  shall  do  it  briefly,  in  the  order  you  have 
stated  matters.  As  to  the  letter  from  some  Indians  to  the 
Oneidas,  I  really  knew  nothing  of  it  till  I  heard  such  a  thing 
had  been  by  some  means  obtained  from  an  Indian  messenger, 
and  from  what  I  have  heard  of  its  contents,  I  can't  see  any 
thing  material  in  it,  or  that  could  justify  such  idle  apprehen- 
sions ;  but  I  must  observe  that  these  fears  among  the  people 
were  talked  of  longbefore,  and  were,  I  fear,  propagated  by  some 
malicious  persons  for  a  bad  purpose. 

"As  to  your  political  sentiments,  on  which  you  enter  in  the 
next  paragraph,  I  have  no  occasion  to  enter  on  them  or  the 
merits  of  the  cause.  I  desire  to  enjoy  liberty  of  conscience  and 
the  exercise  of  my  own  judgment,  and  that  all  others  should 
have  the  same  privilege  ;  but,  with  reganl  to  your  saying  you 
might  have  postponed  the  nffair,  if  there  had  been  the  least 
kind  of  probability  that  the  petition  of  the  General  Assembly 


,:lj       i 


Hi 


1775.] 


COL.    GUY    JOHXSOX. 


75 


lid 
lid 
ou 
tist 
,ly 


would  have  been  noticed,  more  than  that  of  the  delegates,  I 
must,  as  a  true  friend  to  the  country,  in  which  I  have  a  large 
interest,  say,  that  the  present  dispute  is  viewed  in  dilFerent 
lights  according  to  the  education  and  principles  of  the  parties 
affected  ;  and  that,  however  reasonable  it  may  appear  to  a  con- 
siderable number  of  honest  men  here,  that  the  petition  of  the 
delegates  should  merit  attention,  it  is  not  viewed  in  the  same 
light  in  a  country  which  admits  of  no  authority  that  is  not  con- 
stitutionally established  ;  and  I  persuade  uiyself  yon  have  that 
reverence  for  his  Majesty,  tliat  you  will  pay  due  regard  to  the 
royal  assurance  given  in  his  speech  to  Parliament,  that  when- 
ever the  American  grievances  should  bo  laid  before  him  by 
their  constitutional  assemblies,  they  should  be  fully  attended 
to.  I  have  heard  that  compulsory  steps  were  taken  to  induce 
some  persons  to  come  into  your  measures,  and  treasonable 
toasts  drank  ;  but  I  am  not  willing  to  give  too  easy  credit  to 
flying  reports,  and  am  happy  to  hear  you  disavow  them. 

"I  am  glad  to  lind  my  calling  a  Congress  on  the  frontiers 
gives  satisfaction ;  this  was  principally  my  design,  though  I 
cannot  sufUciently  express  my  surprise  at  those  who  have, 
either  through  malice  or  ignorance,  misconstrued  my  inten- 
tions, and  supposed  mc  capable  of  setting  the  Indians  on  the 
peaceable  inhabitants  of  this  country.  The  interest  our  family 
has  in  this  country  and  my  own,  is  considerable,  and  they 
have  been  its  best  benefactors  ;  any  malicious  charges,  there- 
fore, to  their  prejudice,  are  highly  injurious,  and  ought  to  be 
totally  suppressed, 

"  The  ollice  I  hold  is  greatly  for  the  benefit  and  protection 
of  this  country,  and  on  my  frequent  meetings  with  the  Indians 
depends  their  peace  and  security;  I  therefore  cannot  but  be 
astonished  to  find  the  endeavours  made  use  of  to  obstruct  me 
in  my  duties,  and  the  weakness  of  some  people  in  withholding 
many  things  from  me,  which  arc  indisputably  necessary  for 
rendering  the  Indians  contented  ;  and  I  am  willing  to  hope 
that  you,  gentlemen,  will  duly  consider  this  and  discounte- 
nance the  same. 

"  You  have  been  much  misinformed  as  to  the  origin  of  the 
reports  which  obliged  me  to  ibrlify  my  hous(!  and  stand  on  my 
deiiiiice.  I  had  it,  gentlemen,  from  uiidoubttid  authority  from 
Albany,  und  since  coulinned  by  letters  from  cue  of  the  Coni- 


it  J 


fii 


'i:% 


llpi^l 


.,H 


If         I 


ill,!'  i! 


PI 


76 


LIFH    OF    BRAXT. 


[1775. 


mittce  at  Philadelphia,  that  a  large  body  of  men  were  to  make 
mc  prisoner.  As  the  otlbct  this  nmst  have  on  the  Indians 
might  have  been  of  dangerous  consequences  to  yon,  (a  circum- 
stance not  thought  of,)  I  was  obliged,  at  great  expense,  to  take 
these  measures.  But  the  many  reports  of  my  stopping  travel- 
lers were  false  in  every  particular,  and  the  only  instance  of 
detaining  any  body  was  in  the  case  of  two  New  England  men, 
which  1  explained  fully  to  those  of  your  body  who  brought 
your  letter,  and  wherein  1  acted  strictly  agreeable  to  law,  and  as 
a  magistrate  should  have  done. 

''  I  am  very  sorry  that  such  idle  and  injurious  reports  meet 
with  any  encouragement.  I  rely  on  you,  gentlemen,  to  exert 
yourselves  in  discountenancing  them;  and  lam  happy  in  this 
opportunity  of  assuring  the  people  of  a  country  I  regard,  that 
they  have  nothing  to  apprehend  from  my  endeavours,  but  that 
I  shall  always  be  glad  to  promote  their  true  interests. 

"  I  am,  Gentlemen,  ^''our  humble  Servant, 

"  G.  Joiixsox." 

This  reply  of  Colonel  Johnson,  together  with  a  written  re- 
port of  the  proceedings  of  himself  and  colleague,  and  their  in- 
terview with  Johnson,  was  transmitted  to  the  County  Com- 
mittee by  3lr.  Wall.  In  his  letter  to  the  Committee,  I^^r.  Wall 
indulged  in  some  complaints,  in  regard  to  the  reprehensible 
conduct  of  the  people — probably  toward  Joimson  and  his  follow- 
ers, who  were  looked  upon  with  increasing  distrust.  But  tlie 
character  of  the  irregularities  complained  of  is  not  distinctly 
set  forth  in  JNIr.  WaH's  connrnmication. 

Guy  Johnson  did  not  remain  long  at  Cosby's  IManor,  nor  did 
he  hold  the  Indian  council  there  which  had  been  notilied,  but 
departed  immediately  farther  west.  His  removal  from  Thomp- 
son's was  thus  announced  to  the  Committee  of  Palatine  by  Mr. 
Wall,  on  the  Stli  of  June: — "Our  people  are  greatly  alarmed 
"at Colonel  Johnson's  motions,  and  caimot  understand  his  rea- 
"  sons  for  the  same.  We  dare  say,  that  before  now  yon  have 
"  been  [made]  acquainted  that  he  has  removed  Avith  his  retinue 
"  from  Air.  Thompson's  to  Fort  Stanwix,  and  there  are  rumors 
'that  ho  iut(Mids  to  move  yet  I'arlhcr.  Wo  leave  you  to  con- 
"jecture  what  may  be  his  reasons." 

Tiiese  apprehensions  were  certainly  not  unreasonable.     For 


COL.    GUY    JOHNSON. 


77 


1775.] 

although  Colonel  Johnson's  letters  were  plausible,  and  apparent- 
ly frank  and  sincere,  when  the  people  saw  him  seitin^;  his  lace 
thus  to  the  west,  and  moving  up  tln-ouiih  the  valley,  not  only 
M'ith  liis  own  fimily,  hut  arrompanied  by  a  large  retinue  ot'liis 
depondonts  and  I  lie  crreat  body  of  the  :\Tohawk  Indians— who 
left  their  own  rlelightful  country  at  this  time,  never  more  peace- 
ably to  return— it  is  not  strange  that  suspicions,  as  to  his  ulte- 
rior designs,  were  excited. 

This  feeling  was  not  diminished  by  the  reception,  just  at 
this  time,  of  the  following  coinmuniciUion  from  the  Provincial 
Congress  of  Massachusetts,  through  that  of  New- York  : — 


nie 

lors 


'or 


"In  Provincial  Conoiiks.s. 
"  Watertnirn,  June  Vith,  1775. 

"  To  the  Honourable  Delegates  of  the  Congress  of  the  Pro^ 

vincc  of  New-  York  : 
"Gentlemen, 

"Considering  the  exposed  state  of  the  frontiers  of  the  Colo- 
nies, the  danger  tliat  the  inha])itants  of  Canada  may  possibly 
liave  disagreeable  apprehensions  from  the  military  preparations 
making  in  several  of  the  Colonies,  and  the  rumors  tliat  there 
are  some  appearances  of  their  getting  themselves  in  readiness 
to  act  in  a  hostile  way — this  Congress  have  made  application  to 
the  Honourable  Continental  Congress,  desiring  them  to  take  such 
measures  as  to  them  shall  appear  proper,  to  quiet  and  conciliate 
the  minds  of  the  Canadians,  and  to  prevent  such  alarming  ap- 
prehensions. We  also  have  had  the  disagreeable  accounts  of 
methods  taken  to  fill  the  minds  of  the  Indian  tribes  adjacent  to 
these  Colonies  with  sentiments  very  injurious  to  us  ;  parMcu- 
larly  we  have  been  informed  that  Col.  Guy  Johnson  lias  taken 
great  pains  with  the  Six  Nations,  in  order  to  bring  them  into  a 
belief  that  it  is  designed  by  the  Colonies  to  fall  upon  them  and 
cut  them  off.  We  have,  therefore,  desired  the  Honourable 
Continental  Congress  that  they  would,  with  all  convenient 
speed,  use  their  intluence  in  guarding  against  the  evil  intended 
by  this  malevolent  misrepresentation  ;  and  wo  desire  you  to 
join  with  us  hi  such  application. 

"Jos.  Warren,  President,'' 

"Attest,  Samuel  Freeman,  Sec'y." 


>  i 


V 


rs 


LIFE    (3F    BRANT, 


1775. 


Immo(li;ite]y  after  the  receipt  of  this  communication,  a  lette? 
was  addressed  to  Colonel  Johnson,  by  the  Congress  of  New- 
York,  dischiimino',  in  tlie  most  unqualified  terms,  the  designs 
imputed  to  the  Provincial  authorities  in  regard  botli  to  the  In- 
dians and  himself,  as  had  been  repeatedly  done  l)eforc.  But 
Johnson  would  never  allow  himself  to  be  persuaded  that  evil 
had  not  been  meditated  against  him  by  the  Whigs ;  and  by 
persisting  in  his  opinion,  it  is  not  unlikely  that  his  efforts  to 
prejudice  the  Indians — those,  especially,  who  were  the  most 
warmly  attached  to  him — against  the  Colonists  and  their  cause, 
were  tlic  more  successful. 

'The  all'air  of  Lexington  had,  of  course,  been  the  signal  for 
war  throughout  the  Coloni(;s.  The  forts,  magazines,  and  ar- 
senals were  everywhere  seized.  Troops  were  raised,  and 
money  for  their  support;  and  it  was  not  many  w(,'eks belbre  an 
army  of  thirty  thousand  men  ap[)eared  in  the  environs  of 
IJoslon,  luider  the  command  of  CJcnerul  Putnam— a  veteran  of 
the  old  French  war,  in  whom  the  people  had  great  confidence. 
Early  in  May,  Colonel  Ethan  Allen,  n  hardy  leader  of  the 
settlers  upon  the  New  Hampshire  grants,  (now  Vermont,)  con- 
certed an  expedition  against  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point. 
About  forty  vohmtecrs  from  Connecticut  were  of  the  cx|iedi- 
tion,  which,  with  the  forces  collected  for  tli(^  object  at  Cnstlcton, 
made  u])  the  number  of  two  hundred  and  thirty.  Allen  was 
un(\\pecledly  joined  by  Colonel  Benedict  Arnold,  who  had 
plaimed  the  same  enterprise.  They  readily  agreed  to  act  iu 
concert ;  and  so  admirably  was  the  project  carried  into  execu- 
tion, that  the  Americjuis  actually  entered  the  fortress  by  the 
covcn'ed  way  just  at  dnylight,  fornied  upon  the  parade  ground 
within,  and  awoke  the  sleeping  garrison  by  their  buzzas.  A 
slight  skirmish  ensued,  juid  the  conunander,  Di^  ],i\  IMm'(>,  sur- 
renilered  to  the  novel  sunnnons  of  Allen — "I  demand  a  sur- 
"  render  in  the  name  of  the  great  Jehovah  luid  theContinenlal 
"Congress."  Colonel  S(!th  Warner  was  sent  thence  to  (""rown 
Point,  which  was  easily  taken— the  garrison  consisting  of  oidy 
a  dozen  mt'u,  comman<led  by  a  sergeant.  Arnold  ])rocee(le(l 
Northward  to  St.  .lohns,  and  succeeded  in  capltning  a  sloop  of 
war  by  surprise;  while,  at  thesiime  time,  the  passofSlienesbo- 
rough,  at  the  southern  ejulofChaiuplain,  was  tiikeii  possession  of 
— Col.  8keno  and  a  small  number  of  troops  being  made  prisoners. 


^'f 


1775.] 


TICOXDKROGA    AND    UUNKER    HILL. 


79 


*omt. 

pcili- 

ctoii, 
wns 
had 

let  in 

'  tlic 

.    A 

snr- 
sur- 
iitiil 

I'OWIl 

only 
cdrd 

lopof 

(Wl  of 


liicrs 


and  several  pieces  of  cannon  taken.  Tims,  by  a  sn.^len  blow, 
and  withont  the  loss  of  a  nuin,  was  the  conunand  ol'  liakes 
Georii-e  and  Chaniplain  obtained. 

The  next  act  in  the  grand  drama  then  nnColdiiiir,  was  the 
battle  ol'  IJtmkcr  Hill.  Toward  the  close  of  May  reinlbrce- 
ments  of  troops  from  Enu;land  had  arrived  at  Ho.ston,  with 
Generals  Howe,  IJnrgoyne,  and  (Jlinton,  all  of  whom  were 
ollieers  of  repntation.  The  Provincial  Congress  of  Massaclm- 
setts  had,  early  in  thai  month,  renounced  General  Gage  as 
Governor  of  the  Colony,  declared  him  an  enemy  of  the  country, 
and  forbidden  obedience  to  his  orders.  On  the  other  hand, 
General  Gage  had  issued  his  proclamation,  promising  a  gracious 
pardon  to  all  who  would  lay  down  their  arms  and  return  to  the 
duties  of  ])('aceablo  subjects,  excepting  only  Siunuel  Adams 
and  .lohn  Hancock,  whose  ollences  were  declared  to  be  of 'Moo 
"  flagitious  a  nature  to  admit  of  any  other  consideration  th;v 
"that  of  condign  punishment.''  By  the  same  instrument 
Massachusetts  was  declared  to  be  under  martial  law.  General 
Gage  was  also  preparing,  in  other  res])ects,  for  morcenergetic  ac- 
tion ;  but  every  measure  he  toolc,  and  everv  moment  that  pass- 
ed, served  only  to  unite  and  embolden  the  W'liigs,  and  incri'ase 
the  audacMly  with  which  they  now,  in  action  if  not  in  words 
contemned  the  royal  authority.  The  Provinci;d  troops  bt'gaii 
to  nssemble  in  force  around  llostou,  and  wen;  throwing  up  de- 
fences, when  the  battle  of  JJunker  Hill,  at  once  and  l(>revcr 
severecl  the  tie  (hat  bound  the  ('olouies  to  the  piu'ent  eountry. 
The  fiirhlingon  this  occasion  was  of  such  a  determined  charac- 
ter, as  to  show  the  (>uemy  (hat  it  was  no  pastime  upon  which 
tlicy  had  entered.  One  of  the;  British  otlieers,  in  writinghomo 
to  a  friend,  deelnred  (hat '' the  rt'bels  (buyii(  more  like  devils 
'*  (ban  men."  Tlu!  lo^s  of  (he  British,  in  killed  and  wounded, 
was  lO.-)!.  That  of  the  Provincials,  131)  killed  imd  'M\ 
wounded.  The  great  calamity  of  (he;  day  was  (be  fall  of  (ho 
l)rave  and  accomplished  Warren,  who  was  shot  through  llio 
Iiead  early  in  (he  ac(ion. 

It  is  not  to  bo  supposed,  (hat,  with  the  ovidenco  before  them, 
of  Colonel  .lolmson's  exertions  (oexei(o  (he  Indians  agains(  (ho 
Provincial  ciutso,  (he  friends  of  the  l(i((er  were  by  any  meaiiJi 
imicdve.  On  (he  con(rary,  (hey  lef(  no  fair  and  honorriblo 
means  untried  so  fur  to  win  upon  their  favour,  as  nt  least  to 

15 


in 


H" 


?  .'* 


.  ■I 


III 


80 


LIFK    OF    BRANT. 


[1775. 


secure  their  neutrality  in  the  contest ;  nor  were  they  wholly 
unsuccessful,  although  the  majority  of  the  rSix  Nations  ulti- 
mately threw  themselves  into  the  opposite  scale.  Disai)pointed 
in  not  meeting  a  fuller  and  more  general  council  at  Guy  Park 
in  May,  a  conference  was  arranged  Avith  the  Oneidas  and  Tus- 
caroras,  through  the  agency  of  their  friend,  the  Rev.  i\Ir.  Kirk-] 
land,  which  took  place  at  the  German  Flalts  on  the  2Sth  of 
June.  The  Indians  were  met  by  the  inhabit(nits  of  that  dis- 
trict, and  also  by  a  deputation  from  Albany.  The  minutes  of 
that  meeting  were  not  preserved  at  large  among  the  papers  of 
the  Tryon  County  Committee.  The  folio  \ving  was  the  address 
of  the  inhabitants  to  the  Indians  : — 

"BuoTHKHs:  We  are  glad  to  have  you  here  to  retin-n  you 
thanks.  We  should  have  been  much  ])lea,sed  to  iiavt  spoken 
with  you  at  the  appointed  place  ;  that  is,  by  your  superinlend 
ent,  where  of  late  you  kept  your  council  lire  ;  but  since  his 
removing  so  far  from  us,  we  do  not  think  it  wrong  or  imprudent 
to  communicate  our  sentiments  of  peace  to  you  here.  It  is  at 
this  place,  ]}rothers,  it  has  often  Ixjendone  ;  and  here  again  we 
renew  it,  and  brighten  the  old  chain  of  peace  and  brotherly 
love. 

"BiioTiiKus  :  We  cannot  sec  the  cause  of  your  late  council 
fire,  or  superintendent  going  away  from  among  us.  We  did 
liim  no  harm,  and  you  well  know  that  none  of  us  ever  did, 
and  you  nuiy  depend  on  it,  there  was  no  such  thing  meant 
against  him.  l[e  told  our  peopU;  he  was  going  up  to  'I'homp- 
son's  (Cosby's  Manor)  to  hold  a  council  fu'e  widi  our  brothers, 
the  Five  Nations,  there.  We  hel|)ed  him  to  provisions  to  sup- 
port you  there,  and  every  thing  we  had  that  !ie  wanted,  lint 
he  is  gone  away  from  among  us,  and  told  some  of  our  peoi)lc, 
tlmt  he  would  come  i)a<'k  with  eonipany  which  would  not 
please;  us;  which,  if  true,  it  is  certain  his  intt'iUions  arc  bad, 
and  ho  may  depend,  that  whatever  force  lie  may  or  can  brinj(, 
we  regard  not. 

"  HiioTiiious :  Our  present  meeting  docf  not  arise  from  any 
unfriendly  thoughts  we  enft.'rtain  of  you,  or  from  luiy  li-ar  of 
otU'selves.  It  is  purely  on  account  of  the  old  friendship  \vliicli 
has  so  long  beiMi  kept  uj)  between  us  ;  that  friendship  we  want 
to  retain.  It  is  that  iViendship  which  will  be  an  equal  benelil  to 
US.    it  is  us  mucii  wanted  on  your  side  as  uurs. 


INDIAN    NEGOTIATIONS, 


81 


I 


"Brothers  ;  We  cannot  too  much  express  our  satisfaction 
of  your  conduct  toward  us  by  your  late  proceedings  with  the 
superintendent  at  tlie  carrying  place,  for  which  we  are  also 
obliged  to  you,  and  do  not  doubt  but  that  your  conduct  will  be 
blessed  with  greater  benefits  tban  any  other  of  tliose  who  will 
hurry  tliemselves  into  mischief;  whicb  can  never  be  of  any 
otber  benefit  to  thern,  but  sorrow  for  the  innocent  blood  shed  on 
an  occasion  wherewith  they  have  no  concern. 

"  Bkotiikrs  :  We  look  to  you  particularly  to  be  men  of 
more  understanding  than  others,  l)y  the  benefits  you  have  re- 
ceived in  learning  ;  wherefore  avc  confide  and  trust  more  freely 
in  you,  that  you  can  communicate  to  the  other  tribes  and  na- 
tions the  error  they  want  to  lead  you  in,  and  cannot  doubt  but 
your  wisdom  and  infiuenco  witl;  the  other  nations  will  be 
attended  with  that  happy  success,  whicli  will  iiereafter  be  a 
blessing  to  you  and  your  posterity. 

"  BiKtriiKKs  :  What  we  have  snid  is  supposed  to  be  sufiicient 
to  convince  you  that  oiu'  meaning  is  for  our  joint  peace  and 
friendship  ;  in  which  we  ho[)e  that  we  and  our  children  may 
continue  to  the  end  of  time." 

The  answer  of  the  Indians  to  this  address  has  not  been  pre- 
served. The  result  of  the  council,  however,  was,  to  obtain  a 
jiledge  of  neutrality  from  th(^  greater  portion  ol  the  Indians 
assembled.  The  efiorts  of  Mr.  Kirkhmd  had  uniformly  been 
directed  to  the  same  humane  design. 

Colonel  Guy  .Tohnson,  ns  we  hav(!  alrtMidy  seen,  liad  pre- 
viously lefi  the  lower  district  of  the  Mohawlc  Valley,  lie  was 
a  man  of  too  much  discernment,  holding  tlu;  opinions  he  did, 
to  remain  nt  Johnstown  an  inactive  spectator  of  events,  the 
inevitable  tendiwicy  of  which  could  only  be  vi'ry  soon  to  rouso 
the  whole  thirteen  (Colonies  to  arms  against  the  Mritish  jxiwer, 
and  he  had  prudently  anticipated  the  battle  of  Unnlier  Hill  in 
his  depiu'lure.  Hut  his  movements  had  thu>  far  been  paeifi'*, 
or  rathrr  not  openly  belligerent ;  and  it  is  probable  that  an  exeit- 
(m1  ami  jealous  people  may  not  hav(>  treati'il  him,  during  his 
liegira,  with  all  their  wonted  respiict,  Indeed,  the  complaint  of 
j\Ir.  Wall,  of  the  object ioiuible  conduct  of  the  people,  lias  al- 
ready been  noted  at  a  previous  page,  lint  it  is  not  stated  in 
what  respect  lliey  had  been  olfending.     8omo  light,  however, 


f 


82 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1775 


li 


may  perhaps  be  thrown  upon  the  subject,  by  the  followins:  notes 
of  a  council  between  tlio  inhabitants  of  the  Upper,  c"  Kings- 
land  district,  and  the  Oneida  Indians;  from  which  it  will  be 
seen  that  the  inhabitants  had  cut  oft'  the  supplies  provided  by 
Colonel  Johnson  for  his  journey  :* 

"  KIXGSLA^M)  DisTiiicT.  At  a  council  held  upon  desire  of  the 
Oncidas,  July  \st,  1775,  the  following'  speeches  were  deli- 
vered : 

To  THE  One  I  DAS. 
"BiioTHERs:  The  reason  of  stopping  the  provisions  from 
Mr.  Thompson  to  Colonel  Johnson,  is,  that  wo  suppose  him  to 
be  our  enemy;  and  for  all  that  he  gets  as  much  from  iSiagara 
as  he  wants;  and  we  believe  he  is  only  getting  intelligence, 
irorn  this  })lace,  how  matters  run.  Wo  have  done  for  him  and 
Ills  retinue  what  was  in  our  power  for  his  supply.  AVe  believe 
he  should  liuvc  held  his  council  fire  at  jMr.  Thompson's,  or, 
furthest,  at  l-'ort  Stanwix.  BtU  you  have  heard.  Brothers, 
that  lie  would  bring  a  Ibrcc  along  with  him  wliich  we  would 
not  like.  Tiiat  was  the  reason  that  we  stopped  his  provisions. 
But  on  your  request,  as  you  think  it  was  not  well  done, 
we  will  hear  your  sentiments  about  it.  Not  being  laid  to  your 
or  our  charge,  wo  shall  then  let  pass  all  that  is  brought  to  him." 

An.swi:r  of  the  Oneidas. 

"  Brothers;  It  is  Simday  to-day,  and  the  Lord  gave  six 
days  lor  work  and  the  seventh  for  rest.  But  since  occasion 
happens,  we  give  you  our  positive  answ(>r. 

"IJrotiiers:  We  have  consulted  about  flopping  the  pro- 
visions at  ]Mr.  Thompson's,  and  we  don't  think  it  proper  to  do  it. 
If  it  should  have  been  for  his  own  use,  wo  should  not  have 
mentioned  it ;  but  wo  know  that  he  calls  up  the  l-Mve  Nations, 
and  luiiy  be  they  will  suH'erbyit.  S;),  therefore",  let  him  have 
it.  All  that  we  have  said  we  can  be  answerable  lor,  but  this 
act  we  cannot. 

"Brotherh:  If  we  should  assent  to  these  things,  wo  are 
joinlly  brothers  ;  we  shonld  bo  Id'l  alone,  and  may  be  both  would 
bo  disappointed.  Wo  are  oblincd  to  have  a  caro  over  our 
brothers  of  the  Five  Nations,  as  well  us  for  you,  so  that  wo 

*  TlfHi'  notes  iiri>  (inild  impiTfi'dly  wnltrii,  liy  ii  very  iiicDinpctcnt  firiilif.     Tlio 
Dulliiiv  liiis  niilciivuurud  to  uriivu  ul  thu  truo  iiniiurt,  |)rcHui'viiii|i  um  iiuicU  vi'  llin  luii- 


f 


m 


re 

1(] 

jur 

|vo 

lu) 
■ill- 


1775.] 


FLIGHT    OF    GUY    JOHNSOX. 


83 


I 


may  get  no  blame  afterward  for  it.  Then  wo  don't  know  what 
Colonel  Jolnisoii't;  design  is.  Let  ns  (h'st  have  proof,  and  as 
soon  as  we  have  fonnd  ont  something,  we  shall  assemble  to- 
gether and  consider  of  it, 

"  BiioTiiEii.s  :  Wc  onght  to  do  as  wc  want  to  have  done  to 
us  by  others  ;  and  it  is  better  to  sntlcr  than  to  do  amiss. 

"  I3iioTiir,iis  :  As  long  as  wc  arcbrothcrs,  don't  let  ns  then  suf- 
fer in  provisions,  if  they  arc  to  be  got,(withont  yonr  loss.)  AVhilo 
we  belong  to  tin;  Five  Nations,  we  shall  help  one  another  as 
much  as  does  lie  in  our  power,  so  that  nobody  is  wrongcnl  by  it. 

"  Broth lai.s  :  Yon  did  leave  this  to  us,  though  you  consent- 
ed not  to  leave  us  to  Ijcar  this  burden  quite  alone  upon  our  own 
shoulders.  If  you  can  fuid  a  fault  in  our  speech,  you  may 
speak  about  it." 

Rkjoindku. 

"  BiioTiiKRs  :  As  we  have  heard  your  speech,  and  well  con- 
sidered it,  and  as  wo  lliid  that  our  other  brothers  may  suli'er 
by  it,  we  are  resolved  that  all  the  Hour  and  other  provision 
which  is  really  brought  for  Colonel  Johnson,  may  b(!  sent 
thither  w  ithout  bi>ing  molested.  But  considering  that  it  may 
not  be  employed  for  the  use  proposed,  W(!  desire  the  favour  of 
you  to  ae([uanit  us  of  the  fact,  that  wo  may  take  the  necessary 
measures  lor  our  own  welfare. 

"Bkotuiuis  :  W(;  are  greatly  obliged  for  your  brotherly 
love  showed  to  ns,  juid  that  you  have  told  tis,  out  of  the  bottom 
of  your  heart,  your  sens(!  of  this  matter.  We  confess  it  is  an 
ovidcnee  of  sincere  frii^ndshij),  which  wo  hope  will  ever  be 
maintained  between  us."' 

]\laking  a  very  brief  sojourn  nt  Fort  .Stanwix,  fiuy  .Tobnsoii 
liasteui'd  as  far  west  as  Ontario,  there  to  hold  a  grand  council 
with  the  Indians,  remote  from  the  white  settlemems;  and  where, 
as  he  alleuiid,  their  action  might  Ix!  independent  and  imem- 
barrassed  by  the  interlt-rence  of  the  Colonists.  It  was  at  On- 
tario lliit  he  reei'ived  the  letter 'Vom  the  Provincial  Congress  ot 
New-^■ork,  already  advi'rled  to  as  liavinu-  hecn  written  at  llic 
t;olicitaliou  of  the  Congress  of  IMassaehnsetts.  lie  ri'plicd  to 
it  on  111:'  Sill  ,  ,  .Inly,  in  a  letter  glowing  with  loyally,  and 
complaining  hitlcrly  of  iIk^  nudeonteiiis,  and  those  in  opposi- 
tion  to   regular  yiuermnenls ;    who,  us   the   reader   will  ob- 


"4' 


84 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1775 


serve,  he  again  repeated,  were  exciting  the  Indians  against  him. 
Tiie  letter  is  inserted  entire  : — 


i: 


ilk 


^l*- 


I  .;i 


Guy  Johnsox  to  Peter  Van  Brugh  Livingston. 

"  Ontario,  July  tlic  Sth,  1775, 
"Sin, 

"  Though  I  received  your  letter  from  the  Provincial  Con- 
gress several  days  ago,  I  had  not  a  good  opportnnity  to  answer 
it  till  now.  I  suppose,  however,  this  will  reach  ijou  safe,  not- 
withstanding all  the  rest  of  my  correspondence  is  interrupted 
by  ignorant  ini})ertinents. 

"  As  to  the  endeavour  you  speak  of,  to  reconcile  the  unhappy 
dilfcrenccs  between  the  Parent  State  and  these  Colonies,  be  as- 
sured I  ardently  wish  to  see  them  ;  as  yet,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  1 
have  not  been  able  to  discover  any  attempt  of  that  kind,  but 
that  of  the  assembly,  the  only  true  legal  representatives  of  the 
people ;  and  as  to  tlie  individuals  who  you  say  olliciously  in- 
terruj)t  (in  my  quarter)  the  mode  and  measures  you  think  ne- 
cessary for  these  salutary  purposes,  I  am  really  a  stranger  to 
them.  If  you  mean  myself,  you  must  have  been  grossly  im- 
posed on.  I  once,  indeed,  Avent,  with  reluctance,  at  the  request 
of  s('V<'ral  of  the  ])rinei|)al  inhal)itants,  to  one  of  the  ])eople's 
meetings,  which  1  found  had  been  called  by  an  itinerant  New 
llngliind  leather-dresser,  and  conducted  by  others,  if  possible, 
more  contemptible.  1  had,  therefore,  little  inclination  to  revisit 
such  men  or  attend  to  their  absurdities.  And,  nltbouii'h  I  did 
not  incline  to  think  that  you,  CuMitlemcn,  had  formed  any  de- 
signs ngninst  me,  yet  it  is  most  certain  that  such  designs  were 
formed.  01'  this  I  reeeivi-d  a  clear  account  by  (^xpress,  from  a 
friend  near  Albany,  which  was  soon  corroborated  by  letters 
from  oIIkm'  (juartiM's,  particularly  one  from  a  gentleman  of  the 
Committee;  at  Philadelphia,  a  captain  in  your  levies,  who  was 
})retty  cu'cumstantial;  auL  since,  I  have  had  the  lilvo  from  mnny 
ollieis.  1  liiive,  likewise,  I'onnd  that  meim  instruments  were 
(»lliei(msly  em|)li)ye(l  to  disturb  the  minds  of  the  Indians,  to  in- 
terrupt the!  oidinaiy  disehaige  of  my  duties,  and  prevent  tiieir 
receiving  messaii'es  they  had  long  since  exiH>eted  from  me.  To 
enter  into  a  minute  detail  nf  iill  the  I'alselioods  j)r'  ,m  •"iiled  and 
ail  tli(!  (ibslnietions  I  met  with,  though  it  could  not  fail  astonish- 
ing any  gentlemen  disposed  to  discountenance  them,  would  far 


I' 


■■U 


1775.] 


GUY    JOHNSON    A'l'    THE    WEST. 


85 


exceed  the  limits  of  a  letter  or  the  time  I  liavc  to  spare,  as  I 
am  now  fmishing  my  Cono;rcss,  entirely  to  my  satisfaction, 
with  i;MO  warriors,  who  came  hither  to  tlie  only  jilacc  where 
they  could  transact  business  or  receive  favours  without  inter- 
ruption ;  and  who  are  much  dissatisfied  at  fmding-that  the  o-oods 
which  I  was  n<!ccssitated  to  send  for  to  Montreal,  were  ohiioed 
to  be  ordered  back  by  the  merchant,  to  prevent  liis  bcinn  in- 
sulted, or  his  property  invaded  by  the  mistaken  populace. 
That  tlieir  annnunition  was  stopped  at  Albany — the  persons  on 
this  communiciition  em[)]oyed  in  jturchasing  provisions  for  the 
Congress  insidted,  and  all  my  letters,  as  well  as  even  some 
trilling  articles  for  the  use  of  my  own  table,  stopped.  And  tliis 
moment  the  Mayor  of  Albany  assured  me  that  he  was  the 
otiier  day  roused  out  of  his  bed,  at  a  cert.'dn  Mr.  Thoni{)son's 
above  the  CuMMuan  Flalts,  by  one  lTerkim(>r  and  fifteen  others, 
who  pursued  him  to  seareii  for  any  thing  be  miLilit  have  for  me. 
Yon  may  benssiired,  Sir,  that  this  is  far  iVom  being  .igreoabie 
to  the  Indians— that  it  might  have  produced  very  disnijreeablo 
consecpiences  long  since,  had  not  compassion  for  a  deluded  jieo- 
ple  taken  place  of  every  other  consideration ;  iuul  that  the  im- 
potent endeavours  of  a  missionary  (who  has  forfeited  his  ho- 
nour, pledged  to  me,)  with  part  of  one  of  their  tribes,  is  a  cir- 
cumstance that,  however  trifling,  increases  their  resentment. 

"I  shoukl  be  much  obliged  by  your  promises  of  discoimto- 
nancing  any  attempts  against  myself,  »fcc.  did  they  not  appear 
to  be  made  on  conditions  of  compliance  with  Continental  or 
Provincial  Congresses,  or  even  Committees  formed  or  to  ba 
formed,  niiUiy  of  whose  Resolves  may  neillKM'  consist  with  my 
conscience,  duty,  or  loyalty.  1  trust  1  shall  always  manif'st 
more  humaiiily,  than  'd  promote  th(.' destruction  of  the  innocent 
inhabitants  of  a  Colony  to  which  I  hiive  been  always  warmly 
attached,  a  declaration  that  must  appear  perlectly  suitable  to  tlio 
character  of  a  man  of  honour  and  principle,  who  can,  on  no 
ncconnt,  neglect  those  duties  that  are  oonsislmt  therewith, 
how(>ver  they  may  diller  from  sentiiiKMits  now  a(!o[)ti'd  in  so 
many  parts  of  America. 

"  I  sincerely  wish  a  speedy  termination  to  the  present  trou- 
bles, and  I  urn,  ".Sir, 

"  Your  most  humble  Servant, 

"  P.  V.  B.  Livingston,  Esq.  G.  Johnhon." 


M 


Il 


86 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1775 


'■■I 

1 1  If! 


"  T  shall  JiavG  occasion  to  meet  the  Indians  of  my  depart- 
ment in  different  qnarters  this  season."* 

Colonel  Johnson  was  accompanied  in  his  departure  by  .Jo- 
seph liiant.  or  'riiayendaneg'ca,  his  secretary,  and  by  Colonel 
John  Ihitlcr  and  his  son  Walter.  Oy  the  preceding  letter,  the 
reader  will  Iiave  seen  that  they  succeeded  in  convening  a  very 
large  council  at  Ontario.  Tlie  greater  portion  of  the  Indians 
attending,  however,  were  probably  Cayngas  and  Senecas. 
'J'hese  were  now  lar  the  most  numerous  of  the  Six  Nations,  al- 
tliough  the  Moliawks  yet  stood  in  rank  at  the  head  of  the  con- 
lederacy.  Formerly  the  last-mentioned  tribe  had  been  the 
most  i)'(unerons  and  powerful  of  the  Cantons  ;  but  at  an  earlyday 
after  the  plaining  of  the  Colony  of  New- York,  the  French  had 
succeeded  in  seducing  a  large  section  of  the  Mohawks  to  return 
to  Canada,  whence  tiiey  originally  came,  after  breaking  tlie 
vassal;  ige  in  which  they  had  been  held  by  tlie  Algonqnins. 
Their  proximity  (o  the  whites,  moreover,  had  been  attended  by 
the  ctfect,  invariable  and  seemingly  inevitable,  in  regard 
to  thi'ir  race,  of  diminishing  their  numbers.  Added  to  all 
whicli,  their  warlike  character,  and  their  daring  ferocity,  expos- 
ing tiiemto  more  frequent  perils  than  were  encountered  by 
their  associated  Cantons,  had  contributed  still  farther  to  this  un- 
oqucl  diminution. t 

It  is  not  known  that  any  record  of  this  council  Avas  preserved, 
although  the  speeches  interchanged  were  doubtless  written, 
siiKC  that  was  the  universal  practice  in  the  conduct  of  Indian 
intercourse.  But  no  doubt  exists  as  to  the  fact,  that  the  super- 
intendent succeeded  in  still  farther  alienating  the  affections  of 
the  great  majority  of  the  Indians  from  the  Americans,  if  they  did 
not  iminedialely  join  the  ranks  of  the  invaders.     Nor,  when  all 


♦  This  li  ttor  wns  copi(Ml  liy  tlic  niitlior  from  tlio  original,  in  tho  State  Dcpnrtn  cnt, 
.Mhaiiy. 

t  Ainon!:  tlio  iiinnuscripts  of  Sir  Williiim  Johnson,  I  liovo  found  a  census  of  tlio 
Ncirthi  rii  titid  'Western  Indiiiiis,  from  the  thidsDn  river  to  tho  j;rrat  Lukes  nnrl  tlio 
Mis^i^'fippi,  tiilu'n  in  17l>.l.  I'he  Mohinvli  M'lirriors  were  then  only  ICO;  the 
Oiieidas,  2')0;  Tiisrnroras,  1 10  ;  Onondasjns,  l.lOj  Cnyu^nR,  200 ;  Sonecas,  1050. 
Tdliil,  l!)."iO.  Aeeordin::;  to  the  calciilulion  of  n  Hiilisli  nj^ent,  several  of  tlie  (rihofl 
iiiii-t  hiive  inereaxed  hrtw'eii  the  tlnse  of  the  Freiieli  war  and  the  hoynniii!!  of  thn 
Aineiieiii  Ueviiliitinn,  11"  it  was  cnniputed  that,  rlnrina  tlio  latter  contest,  tho 
I'liuli-li  had  in  serviee  .'100  Mohawks,  IfiO  Onoidas,  200  Tiiscnroras,  300  Ononda- 
gas",  2;W  ( 'ayugua,  and  400  Scnccas.— vlutftor. 


cnt, 


IPS 

tho 
tlio 


/  to.] 


DI.SPOSITION    UP    THIO    I.VDIAN.S. 


87 


the  circumstances  of  their  case  and  position  are  dispassionately 
considered,  is  it  surprising  that  their  inclinations  were  favorahte 
to  the  Crown.  On  the  contrary,  the  wonder  is  th"*  Colonel  Jolni- 
son  did  not  succeed  incarrying  with  him  the  One.,  as  and  Tusca- 
roras  also ;  and  he  probably  would  have  done  so,  but  for  the  salu- 
tary though  indirect  influence  of  Mr.  Kirkland,  and  their  noble 
chief,  the  sagacious  Schenandoah — always  the  warm  and  un- 
wavering friend  of  the  Colonists.  With  regard  to  these  Indians, 
it  must  be  considered  that  they  had  then  been  in  alliance  with 
Great  Britain  during  a  period  of  more  than  one  hundred  years. 
In  all  their  wars  with  their  implacable  enemies  the  Algonquins, 
acting  in  alliance  with  the  French,  the  Six  Nations  had  been 
assisted  by  the  English,  or  fighting  side  by  side  with  them. 
For  a  long  series  of  years  Sir  William  Johnson  had  been  their 
counsellor  a)id  friend.  His  family  was  to  a  certain  extent 
allied  with  the  iiead  canton  of  the  confederacy,  and  he  Avas 
consulted  by  them  in  all  affairs  of  business  or  of  high  emer- 
gency, as  an  oracle.  They  had  drawn  their  supplies  through 
him  and  his  agents,  and  it  was  natural  that,  upon  his  decease, 
their  atlection  for  him  should  be  transferred  to  his  successor  in 
odice,  who  was  also  his  son-in-law.  Miss  Molly,  moreover, 
w;is  a  woman  of  vigorous  understanding  and  of  able  manage- 
ment. And.  as  we  have  already  seen,  she  and  Colonel  Guy 
himself,  were  sustained  by  the  powerful  aid  of  Thayendanegea, 
who  united  the  advantages  of  education  with  the  native  saga- 
city of  his  race.  Added  to  all  which,  the  cause  was  considered, 
if  not  desperate,  at  least  of  doubtful  issue  ;  while  the  unenlight- 
ened Indians  had  been  taught  to  hear  the  name  of  the  king 
with  great  reverence,  and  to  believe  him  all-powerful.  Tiiey 
considered  the  officers  of  the  Crown  their  best  friends ;  and  it 
was  but  natural  that  they  should  hold  on  upon  the  great  chain 
which  they  had  so  long  laboured  to  keep  bright  between  them. 
It  has  already  been  remarked,  that,  thus  far,  Colonel  Guy 
Johnson  had  committed  no  act  of  actual  hostility.  While  this 
council  was  holding  in  Ontario,  however,  the  whole  valley  of 
the  Mohawk  was  filled  with  alarm,  by  reports  that  he  was  pre- 
paring an  expedition  to  return  upon  them,  and  lay  the  country 
waste  by  fire  and  sword.  On  the  11th  of  July,  Colonel  Her- 
kimer wrote  from  Canajoharie  to  the  Palatine  Committee,  that 
he  had  received  credible  intelligence  that  morning,  that  Guy 


« 


I 


11... 


^:. 


;  I 


!':',)' 


83 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1775. 


Johnson  was  ready  to  march  back  upon  them  with  a  body  of 
eight  or  nine  hundred  India;:s,  and  that  the  attack  would  be 
commenced  from  the  woods  below  the  liittle  FaWs,  on  the 
northern  side  of  tlie  river.  He  therefore  proposed  sending  to 
Albany  immediately  for  a  corresponding  number  of  men.  An 
tirgent  letter  was  forthwith  despatched  by  the  Committee  to  ' 
Schenectady  and  Albany,  for  the  amount  of  assistance  mention- 
ed, "  to  prevent  these  barbarous  enterprises,"  and  to  enable  them 
"  to  resist  their  inhuman  enemies  with  good  success — thattlicy 
"  might  not  be  slaughtered,  like  innocent  and  defenceless  sheep 
"  before  rava-nng  wolves." 

]'''rom  the  positive  characier  of  die  intelti[i;ence,  and  the  mys- 
terious movements  of  Guy  Johnson  and  his  followers,  the 
inhabitants  had  good  causp  of  alarm  ;  more  especially  as  Sir 
John  Johnson*  remained  at  the  Hall  in  Johnstown,  iiaving  at 
his  beck  a  large  body  of  loyalists,  making  his  castle  (lor  the 
Hall  was  now  ibrtified,)  their  headquarters, — wh  )^  in  the  event 
of  such  a  movement  by  his  brotlier-in-law  fon:  the  west, 
would  doubtless  be  prepared  to  join  the  Indians  in  the  enter- 
prise, and  between  them  both,  be  able  to  whelm  the  settlements 
in  destruction  at  a  single  blow.  Every  possible  preparation 
was  therefore  made  for  their  defence,  but  the  alarm  proved  to 
be  without  foundation ;  and  after  Guy  Johnson  had  coi'Miletod 
his  business  at  Ontiirio,  he  returned  to  Oswego,  where  li'  very 
soon  afterward  convened  another  coiwicil  and  held  a  treaty,  at 
which  he  succeeded  in  still  farther  estranging  the  Indians  from 
the  Colonies,  The  particnlars  of  this  council  have  never 
transpired  in  writing ;  but  some  interesting  references  to  it  will 
occur  in  an  Indian  speecli  a  few  paires  onward. 1 

From  Oswego,  Guy  Jolmson  crossed  into  Canada,  and  thence 

♦  Sir  John  .Tolinson  lulil  a  commission  ns  Riiiy;;i(lior- general  of  militiii. 

t  The  following  passage  from  llamsay's  History  of  tin'  Rt>vciliilioii,  seems  to  refer 
totliis  Indian  convocation  at  Oswego.  There  was  uoullier  mciliiigtinring  that  y<'ar, 
to  which  this  notice  of  Ramsay  could  refer.  "Colonel  .lohnsoii  had  repeated  con- 
ferences with  the  Indians,  and  endeavoured  to intliience  then\  to  take  np  the  hatchet, 
but  they  steadily  refused.  In  order  lo  j;ain  their  co-operation,  he  invited  them  to  a 
feast  on  a  Bostonian,  and  to  drink  his  blood.  This,  in  the  Indian  style,  meant  no 
more  than  to  partake  of  u  roasted  o.\  and  a  |iipe  of  «ine  at  a  p\ihlie  enteitainnienf, 
which  was  given  on  design  to  inHuence  them  to  co-operate  with  the  Briti:*!!  troops. 
The  ('olonial  patriots  ulVectcd  to  understand  it  in  its  literal  sense.  It  furnished,  in 
their  miKlo  of  explication,  u  convenient  handle  for  operating  on  the  passiona  of  the 
people." 


! 


•       . 


'I. 

I     '1': 


[\m 


1^ 


o. 


III 
the 


1775.] 


THE    CHIEFS    VISIT    MOXT'"  KAL. 


«i9 


. 


descended  the  St.  Lawrence  to  Montreal,  accompanied  by  a 
lari^e  number  of  tlie  chiefs  and  warriors  of  the  Six  iNation.^ 
who  were  invited  to  an  interview  with  Sir  Guy  Carletou  an 
Sir   Frederick   Haldimand— both  those  distinj^uished  olficc; 
being  in  that  city  at  the  time — and  were  induced  by  them  to 
embark  in  tlie  cause  of  the  Kin<x. 

It  has  often  been  asserted,  especially  by  British  historians, 
tliat  Sir  Guy  Carl(!ton  was  opposed  to  the  employment  of  the 
Indians  in  the  contest,  from  principles  of  humanity.  Such, 
however,  was  not  t'.ie  fact.  Brant  repeatedly  asserted  in  after- 
life, in  speeches  delivered  by  him,  co]iies  of  which  are  yet  ex- 
tant, tliat  on  their  first  arrival  in  Montreal,  General  Carleton 
])roposed  to  them  to  enter  the  service.  In  a  speech  delivered 
by  the  Chief  in  the  year  1803,  recapitulating  the  history  of  the 
services  of  the  Mohawks  in  that  war,  the  following  passages 
occur,  touching  the  point  now  under  discussion  : — "  We  were 
"  living  ;it  the  former  residence  of  Guy  Johnson,  when  the 
"news  arrived  that  war  had  connnenced  between  the  kings 
"  people  and  the  Americans.  We  took  but  little  notice  of  this 
"first  report;  but  in  a  few  days  we  heard  that  five  hundred 
"  Americans  were  coming  to  seize  our  superintendent.  Such 
"  news  as  this  alarmed  us,  and  we  immediately  consulted  to- 
"  gether  as  to  ^vliat  measures  were  necessary  to  be  taken.  We 
"  at  once  icfiected  upon  the  covenant  of  our  forefathers  as  allies 
"  to  the  King,  and  said,  '  It  will  not  do  for  us  to  break  it,  let 
"  wh;i1  will  become  of  us.'  Indeed,  it  is  a  long  time  since  the 
"  Governor  (Sir  Guy  Carleton)  said  tons:  'I  exhort  you  to 
"  contiiuie  your  adli(>rence  to  the  King,  and  not  to  break  the 
"  solemn  agreement  made  by  your  forefathers  ;  for  your  own 
"  welfare  is  intimately  connected  with  your  rontiiming  the 
"'allies  of  his  lMaj(!sty.'  lie  also  said  a  great  deal  more  to  the 
"  same  purport ;  iuul  on  this  our  minds  were  the  more  firmly 
"  fixed,  for  we  acknowledged  that  it  would  certainly  be  the 
"  best  in  the  end,  for  our  families  and  ourselves  to  remain  muler 
"the  King's  protection,  whatever  diliieulties  we  niiLdit  have  to 
"contend  with.  *****  »  ,\  council  was  next  convened  at 
"Montreal,  in  July,  1775.  at  which  the  Seven  Xafions,  for 
"  Caughnawagas,)  wove  present,  as  well  as  ourselves  the  Six  Nu- 
"  tions.  Gn  this  occasion  Genertd  Haldimand  told  us  what 
*  had  befallen  the  Kinjj's  subjects,  and  said,  now  is  the  time  lor 


90 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1775. 


L'i 


"  you  to  help  the  King.  The  war  has  commenced.  Assist  the 
"  King  now,  and  you  will  find  it  to  your  advantage.  Go  now 
"  and  fight  for  your  possessions,  and  whatever  you  lose  of 
"  your  property  during  the  war,  the  King  will  make  up  to  you 
"  when  peace  returns.  This  is  the  substance  of  what  General 
"  Haldimand  said.  The  Caughnawaga  Indians  then  joined 
"themselves  to  us.  We  immediately  commenced  in  good 
"  earnest,  and  did  our  utmost  during  the  war." 

The  speech  of  Brant,  from  which  the  preceding  extract  is 
taken,  was  written  in  the  Mohawk  language,  and  never,  by  him, 
rendered  into  English.  It  is  an  important  document,  develop- 
ing a  new  fact  in  regard  to  the  conduct  of  Sir  Guy  Carleton, 
and  has  accordingly  been  translated  for  the  present  work.  Strict 
historical  accuracy  is  often  of  slow  attainment ;  but,  after  all  de- 
ductions from  the  merits  of  General  Carleton,  afterward  Lord 
Dorchester,  enough  that  is  truly  excellent  and  great  will  remain 
to  leave  him  a  reputation  of  which  most  public  men  might  well 
be  proud. 


CHAPTER  V. 


Meetiii?;  of  the  second  Continenfnl  Congress — Measures  of  defence — Declaration — 
Nationid  fast — Organization  of  an  Indian  depurtiiR'nl — Address  to  the  Six  Na- 
tions— Council  called  at  Albany — Preliminary  consultation  at  German  Flatts — 
Speeches  ot  the  (Jneidas  and  others — Adjourn  to  Albany — Briif  interview  with 
the  commissioners — Conference  and  interchange  of  speeches  willi  the  All)aiiian-< — 
Proceedings  of  tlie  grand  council — Speeches  of  the  commissioners — Re|)hes  of  the 
Indians — Conclusion  of  the  grand  council — Resum|)tii)n  of  tiie  conf  rencc  with 
the  Albanians — Speech  ot"  the  Albany  t'onnnittee — Reply  of  the  Indians — Dis- 
closures of  Guy  Johnson's  proceedings  at  Oswci^o — Close  of  the  proceedings — 
Epidemic  among  the  Indians — Small  br-neht  resulting  from  the  council — Proceed- 
ings in  Tryon  County  resumed — Doubtful  position  ol'  .\e\v-\'oik — Syiiiiitoms  of 
disiilfLction  to  the  cause  of  the  people  — Sir  John  J()hnson--Sheritr  White  deposed 
by  the  people — The  royal  authorities  niperseded  by  appointments  from  the  peo- 
ple— Alfray  at  Johnstown — First  gim  fired  at  Sampson  Siinmions— Whiti;  recom- 
tnissioned  by  Tryon — tiis  flight — Labors  of  the  Committee— '  )p]iositi.)n  of  tho 
Tories — Desiuns  of  Sir  John  Johnson  and  Sir  Guy  (Jarletoii — LtttiT  and  di  pn- 
tation  to  Sir  John — Prisoners  for  political  olfiice's  sent  to  ^aol — Lett;  r  fimii  J'lo- 
vincial  Congress — Mohawks  commence  (iiihting  at  St.  Johns — Speicli  ol'tlu'  Ca- 
najoharies  in  explanation— Indians  apply  for  leleasi;  of  pri'^oners — U  vii'w  of  the 
progress  of  the  Revolution  in  other  parts  of  the  C'olonies — Proceed ll^s  of  Parlia- 
ment— Burning  of  f^almonlh — Descent  upon  Canain — Ethan  Alli'ii  taken — Ar- 
nold's expedition — Siege  of  (iuebec — Fall  of  Montgomery — Cauglmawaga  and 
Delaware  Indians. 

The  second  Continental  Congress,  composed  of  delegates, 
assembled  at  Philadelphia  on  the  lOtli  of  May.  1  lostilities  hav- 
ing actually  commenced,  and  it  being  well  understood  that 
large  reinforcements  of  the  British  army  Avere  on  their  way 
from  England,  no  time  was  lost  in  preparing  for  the  public  de- 
fence. Protesting  that  they  "  wished  for  a  restoration  of  the 
harmony  formerly  subsisting  between  the  mother  country  and 
the  Colonies,"  they  resolved  again  to  present  "  a  humble  and 
dutiful  petition  to  his  Majesty  ;"  prepared  addresses  to  the  peo- 
ple of  Great  Britain  ;  to  those  of  Canada  ;  and  to  tho  assembly 
of  Jamaica ;  voted  for  the  immediate  etjuipment  of  20,00U  men  ; 
voted  to  raise  three  millions  on  bills  of  credit  for  the  proseciUion 
of  tho  war  ;  and,  on  the  nomination  of  John  Adams,  commis- 
sioned George  Washington,  of  Virginia,  as  Commander-in- 
Chief.  On  the  4th  of  July  Congress  denoanced  the  two  acts 
of  Parliament  of  the  preceding  session,  restraining  the  trade  and 
commerce  of  tho  Colonies,  as  "  unconstitutional,  opjiressive, 
and  cruel ;"  and  ow  the  Oth  thcv  agreed  to  a  manifesto.  "'  settinir 
forth  the  causes  and  necessity  of  their  taking  up  arms  "  After 
a  spirited  but  temperate  preamble,  presenting  a  historical  view 


H 


92 


LIFE    OF    HRANT. 


[1775. 


hi 


ih    I 


of  tlic  origin,  and  proorcss,  and  conduct  of  the  Colonies,  and  of 
tlio  nK'asm-es  of  tlii;  iJritish  oovcrnnient  since  tl-e  peace  of  17(j'3  ; 
and  after  an  cloiiucnt  recapitniation  of  the  grievances  Avhich 
had  produced  the  colhsioii,  and  |)ro('lainiing  their  confidence  of 
obtaining  foreign  aid  if  necessary,  and  of  uhimale  success  ;  dis- 
avowing, moreover,  any  intention  to  dissolve  the  connexion 
bet\v(.'en  the  parent  country  and  the  Colonies;  the  declaration 
proceeded — "We  most  solemnly,  before  God  and  the  world, 
"  DixLARK,  that,  exerting  the  utmost  energy  of  those  powers 
"which  our  beneficent  (i'reiUor  hath  bestowed  upon  us,  the 
"arms  we  have  been  compelled  by  our  enemies  to  assume,  we 
"  will,  in  cU'liaiifc  of  every  iia/ard,  with  unabating  firmness 
"  and  perseverance,  employ  for  the  preservation  of  our  liberties  ; 
"being  with  one  mind  resolved  to  die  fhkk-mf.x  rather  than 
"  live  si.AVKs."'  They  inolested  that  they  \vould  lay  down 
their  arms  when  hostilities  should  cease  on  the  part  of  the 
aggressoi>',  and  not  before,  lleposing  their  confidence  in  the 
mercy  of  the  Impartial  Judge  and  lUiler  of  the  I'nivcuse,  and 
imploring  his  goodness  to  |)roie(t  and  carry  them  through  the 
conlliet,  th(>y  appointed  the  2()th  of  July  to  bi^  observed  as 
a  day  of  public  humiliation,  fasting,  and  prayer  with  that  view. 
It  was  generally  t)bserv(Hl,  and  was  the  lirst  national  fist  ever 
jiroelaimed  in  tlie  New  Woiiii.* 

Hut  amidst  jdl  th(>  aiuuoii::  diuies  demanding  the  attention  of 
Congress,  the  importauci!  of  k<'epiiig  a  •watchful  eye  ui)on  the 
Indians  was  universally  conceded.  MMie  |)osition  of  the  iSix 
Nations,  as  well  as  their  powi'r  to  do  mischief,  could  not  but 
strike  the  observation  of  all.  'I^Iiey  had  served  as  an  useful 
barrier  between  the  Mnglish  settlements  and  the  l-'rencli  in 
Cauadii,  in  former  wars,  and  wen^  otteii  actively  engan'cd  as 
auxiliaries.  'I'licir  position,  and  their  utility,  would  be  now 
])r»'cisely  the  same  between  the  Americans  and  the  llnglish 
in  ( 'aiiada.  It  was  therel()re  dcenird  of  the  lirsl  conse(pience, 
if  possible,  to  ))r(n'eiit  them  from  taking  sides  with  the  I'lnglish — 
not,  liowi'ver,  with  u  vii'w  to  their  ('mploynn'iit  in  arms  by  onr- 
Kelves  ;  since,  notwithstanding  the  disposition  mimili'sled  by  the 
Congress  of  Ahissachusetls  to  employ  the  Indians,  and  the  nc- 
luul  cniraLfemuiil  of  the  {Slockl)ridge  Indiana  us  uu,\iliuncs,  it  wtuj. 

*  tlolmcRV  AnnalSi 


h 


1775.] 


ADDRESS    TO   Till",    SIX    NATION'S. 


93 


nevertheless,  the  anxious  desire  of  the  Consrress  to  keep  them  in 
a  position  of  neutrality  as  between  Finghuid  and  tlio  Colonies, 
and  at  peace  anion<;  themselves,  and   with  all.     l\n-  the  i)nr- 
pose  of  closer  observation  and  more  ellicient  action  in  respect 
to  the  Indian  relations  of  the  country,  therefore,  an  Indian  I)e- 
partmi'iit,    with    three    sub-divisions,    \orth».'rn,    Middle,    and 
Southern,  wasestablished  on  the  I'^lhof  Jtdy,and('ominissioiU'rs 
were  appointed  for  each — '•  with  power  to  treat  with  the  In- 
"dians  in  their  respective  de|)artnients,  to  ))r('serve  peace  and 
"  friendship,  and  to  prevent  their  takini^  any  part  in  the  i)resent 
"commotions."     The  (Commissioners  of  the  Nortiiern  r)t'p;;rt- 
ment  were,  Major   (iencral    Plnlip   .Selutyler,    Major    Joseph 
llawley,  Mr.   Tiirbot   Francis,   .Mr.   Oliver  AVolcott.  and   Mr. 
Vollcert  P.   Douw.     The  form  of  an  address  to  the  several 
tribes  oflndians,  in  all  the  departments,  was  a;i-re»'d  npon,  to  be 
altered  as  occasion  mi^-ht  re([uire  for  Ioc;d  ad;iptation.     This 
address  was  framed  after  th(!  manner  of  Indum  speeches,  and 
coiitiiined  a  snnunary  hisiory  of  tin;  Colonies,  and  of  the  rise 
and  prou'ress  of  the  dillienlties  between   tlnMU  and   the  jjarent 
conntry.     In  the  course  of  tiie  address,  th(>  Indians  wtn'e  in- 
formed of  the  nature  and  objc'cts  of  the  contest  then  lieirmi, 
and  wert!  strongly  advised  to  ihe  ])res(>rvation  ol"  nentralily. 
Tho  Congress  said — "  Wt!  desire;  you  will  hear  and  receive 
"  what  we  have  now  told  yon,  and  that  you  will  open  a  irooil 
"ear,  and  listen  to  wh.at  we  art*  now  Li-oinuf  to  say.     This  is  a 
"  family  (piarri'l  between  us  and  Old   llnudaiid.     Vow  Indians 
"are  not  concerned  in  it.     We  do  not  wish  y<'U  to  take  np  tlm 
"  hatehet  a^'ninst  the  King's  troops.     W(>  desire  you  to  remain 
"at  home,  and  not  join  on  eitiuu'  side,  but  keep  the  hatehet 
"buried  deep.     In  tiie  name  and  behall'  v)f  all  om  people,  wo 
"ask  tnid  desire  you  to  love  peace  and  maintain  il,  and  to  lovo 
"  and  sympathise  with  us  in  our  troubles;  that  the  path  may 
"  be  kept  o|»en  with  idl  cur  people  anti  yours,  to  pass  and  repass 
"without   molestation."'     In  conclusion,  the  Conyress   said — 
'•  i,et  us  both  be  cautious  in  onr  liehaviour  toward  each  other 
"at  this  critical  stale  of  all'airs.     This  island  now  trembles  : 
"tho  wind  whistles  from  almost  every  ipiarter  *  *  *  let  uh 
"f(U'litV"ur  minds,  and  shut  onr  ears  aLTainsI  false  rumors  •  *  • 
"  let  us  be  eaulliMis  what  we  receive  for  Irillh,  unless  spoken  by 
"  wiso  uad  good  men.     If  any  llung  di.sagroeublu  sslioultl  evor 


^h 


k 


94 


LIFF.    OF    BRANT. 


[17 


75. 


I" 


"fall  out  between  lis,  the  Twelve  United  Colonies,  and  yon, 
"  the  Six  \nlions,  to  wound  our  )>enc;e,  let  ns  immediately  seek 
"  measures  lor  healiui;-  the  hreaeh.  From  the  jivesent  situation 
"of  our  atl'airs,  we  jiidu'e  it  wise  and  expedient  to  kindle  up  a 
"small  council  fire  at  Alhany,  where  we  may  heareach  other's 
"  voiec^,  and  disclose*  oiu'  minds  more  Ailly  to  one  another."* 

Such  were  a  lew  of  the  jxtints  only  ol'  the  address,  which 
was  an  honest  autl  earnest  attempt  to  prevent  the  savaijes  from 
takiuLCauy  part  in  the  contest  whatever.  No  time  was  lost  by 
the  ( "oumiissioners  ol' the  Northern  department,  in  thenciojitioii 
of  measures  jjursuant  to  its  wise  spirit  and  policy.  For  this 
purpose  a  treaty  was  a))j)ointed  to  he  held  with  the  Six  Na- 
tions at  Alhany,  in  the  month  of  Aiiii;ust,  iuid  the  tribes  were 
nil  invited  to  attend.  Previous  to  the  day  of  ineetins:,  two  of 
the  (.'onnnissioncrs,  .Air.  J)ou\v  ami  Colonel  l-'rancis,  mit  a 
iiumher  of  the  chiefs  and  warriors  in  a  i)reliminary  council  at 
the  (ilerman  l-'latts,  which  was  not  well  attend(n).  This  con- 
l('r('uc(>  was  hojdcn  on  tlu^  loth  and  K'tlh  days  of  Auiii^ust. 
Colonel  Francis  opened  the  coiuicil  by  statiuij  the  objects  for 
which  th(!  twelve  I'uited  Colonies  had  inviti'd  the  |)roi»osed 
{iiMieral  meeting'  at  Alhany,  which  they  now  solicited  all  the 
Six  Nations  and  their  allies  to  attend.  They  added — '•  AVhcu 
"we  meet  you,  oiir  hrelhren  of  the  Six  Nations,  and  your 
"allies,  at  .Alhany,  we  will  rekindle  the  council  lire  \\  liiidi  our 
"ancestors  and  yours  formerly  Uindled  up  at  that  place,  and 
"there  sit  down  and  converse  together  u|  ion  the  present  .sitiia- 
"tion  of  the  twelve  Fnited  Colonies,  and  disclose  to  you  th<'ir 
"minds  thereon.  \Ve  have  important  matters  to  communicate 
"to  you,  our  hrelhren  of  the  Six  Nations,  imd  your  allies, 
"  which  cannot  he  disclosed  until  IIk;  council  lire  hi  kindled  up 
"at  Albany,  and  we  are  in  lull  assembly."  Oliserviiii^' that  the 
council  was  thinly  attended.  Colonel  l''raiicis  iirtfcd  them  in  his 
speech  to  send  a  LTeneral  invitation  to  all  the  Six  Nations  to  ap- 
pear at  Athaiiy  ;  (Old  he  pro|iosed  that  they  should  also  send 
belts  ol  inviuition  to  the  ( 'au^imaway-as  in  the  neiubhorhood 
of  Ab)nlreal,  to^t'tlu'r  with  the  hidiansof  iheSeveti  Nations  on 
the  St.  liUwreneo.  Colonel  Francis  ct)nclud(;d  his  "talk  "as 
follows : — 

"  MuoTMisiis  :  Asniany  niischiovous  and  ovil-disposed  pcr« 

*  Tliu  nJJiofii  to  llic  liidiaiu  is  lung,  and  will  l)o  Ibiind  in  llin  Appendix. 


1775.] 


CiU'NClI,    AT    (ii^R.MAN    FI.ATTS. 


95 


sous  may  attci.ipt  to  raise  up  in  your  minds  sentiments  that 
are  unfriendly  to  your  brethren  of  the  twelve  United  Colo- 
nies, we  hei^  you  will  slnit  your  ears  and  Ibrtil'y  your  minds 
at(;iinst  any  sucli  evil  and  l'uls(!  reports  ;  and  if  ;iny  sueli 
liars  and  deceivers  sliould  appear  iunong  you,  and  endeavour 
to  p(Mson  your  minds,  be  assured  tliey  are  as  much  your  ene- 
mies as  the  enemies  of  your  brethren  of  the  twelve  United 
Colonies  toij^ethcr,  and  whieh  is  now  goino^  to  be  made  stronir- 
er  at  Albany."'  A  Hell. 

To  this  Kcnias'Iii/uacsa,  an  Oneida  sachem,  replied  : — 

"  IJiioriii:!;-.- :  V  ai  liave  now  opened  your  minds.  We 
lia\e  heard  yo.i-  oice-'.  Your  sjieeches  are  fur  from  lieing 
contemptible.  Bui  as  the  day  is  far  spent,  we  defer  a  reply 
imtil  to-morrow,  as  we  are  weary  from  having  sat  long  in 
countMl.  W\)  think  it  time  for  a  little  drink:  and  you  must 
remember  that  the  Iwt.'lve  United  Colonies  are  a  great  body." 

The  council  having  adjourned  over  to  the  KUh,  Tittlio^- 
vaitih),  ;in  (.)neida  sachem,  made  the  following  reply  to  the 
speech  of  the  Commissioners  : — 

"  15iioTiii:u  iSoi.itioANV,*  and  our  Albany  Hrothers,  attend! 
We  are  now  assembled  at  \.\w  (Jeiinan  I'Malls,  at  which  ])lace 
you  Umdled  up  a  council  lire,  and  yesterday  called  us  together, 
and  ac(|ua.uit((l  us  from  whence  yon  came,  and  by  whose  au- 
thority— namely,  l)y  that  of  tho  twelve  United  Colonies— and 
you  opene(l  your  business  to  us. 

"  Uro'.'MKUs  :  Now  attend.  Through  the  mercy  of  Clod 
we  are  brought  to  this  day,  and  the  Si.K  ISations  arc;  now  in  fidl 
assembly  at  this  place  , where  we  smoke  a  pipe  iii  hiendshipand 
love.  We  are  glad  to  hear  your  voices.  You  are  come  to  in- 
vito us  down  lo  Albany,  to  a  coimcil  lire  of  peace. 

"  lluoriii'.iiH :  We  thank  you  for  this  invitation.  It  meet.s 
with  oiu"  entire  approbation.  Hero  wo  are,  of  I'very  tribo  in 
the  Six  Nations.     It  shall  be  dont;  as  you  have  said. 

"  llnoriii'.us  :  You  hav(^  divsired  that  all  our  confederates 
should  receive  this  invitation.  This  caimot  b(5  done  short  of 
one  year,  as  \\v  extend  very  far,  imd  could  not  possibly  call  the 
extremities  of  oim'  conlederacy  to  lhi.«j  intended  meeting.  Mut 
possess  your  minds  in  peace.  When  this  Ctxigress  is  over, 
and  the  coimcil  lirn  is  raked  up,  we  siiull  accpiaintall  our  allies 


•  Tlio  nttiiiu  l)oiitowcil  upon  Colonel  Francis  by  llio  Indinnsi 


96 


LIFK    UF    BRANT. 


[1775. 


I      I 


f 


wilh  what  has  passed.     Tliis  is  tlie  ansAvcr  of  all  (ho  Six  Na- 
tions who  are  now  here  represented  Irom  every  tribe. 

"Rrotiikrs,  ATTF.xn!  Yesterday  yon  said  yon  were  sen- 
silile  onr  confederaey  extended  to  Can^^hnawaga,  and  you  de- 
sired our  assistance  to  forward  this  your  belt  of  invitation  to 
the  Canghnawaofas  and  the  seven  tri])es  in  that  quartcn*. 

"  Hrotiikrs  :  Possess  your  minds  in  pe;icc.  We,  tlio  Six 
Nations,  arc  pnt  to  dillicnlty  to  grant  this  request.  We  are 
much  eml)arrasscd,  ibr  this  reason.  The  man  is  now  there  who 
will  vex  yonr  minds,  and  never  consent  to  their  coming  down, 
nnd  will  draw  hard  upon  their  minds  another  way.*  lie  is  of 
your  own  blood. 

"  I3Roriii:R.s  :  Possess  yotu'  minds  in  peace.  AVe,  of  the 
Six  Nations,  have  the  minds  of  the  Canylmawajjas  and  the 
seven  tribes  in  that  quarter.  At  our  central  conncil-house, 
when  this  took  place,  they  addressed  us  of  the  Six  Nations  in 
the  following  manner: — 'You  are  better  capable  of  maintain- 
'  ing  peace  than  we  are  ;  therefore  we  deliver  up  our  minds  to 
'  you.'  l'\)r  thes(  reasons  we  advise  you  to  reconsider  your 
petition  to  us,  seeing  we  are  so  embarrassed  we  cannot  grant 
it.  l'(M'haps  you  will  say  to  us,  when  your  intended  council 
lire  shall  be  over,  '  Hrotbers,  do  yciu  of  tlii^  Six  Nations  ac- 
'  quaint  all  yonr  conll'derates  and  allies  o(  what  has  |)assed  at 
'this  conncil-fire  of  peace;'  anil  this  we  shall  do  with  great 
care  and  (.'Xactness.  >'o\v,  Hrothers,  you  se(^  how  we  are  (nn- 
barrassed,  .and  therefore  give  you  this  advice.''     lldl  ntitrnvd. 

'Vo  (his  ( 'oloiK^  Francis  made  answer: — 

"  HKirriiUKN  OF  TMio  Six  Nations  :  It  gives  us  agreat  deal 
of  uneasiness  to  find  that  you  cannot  at  ix'esent  convey  this 
belt  to  onr  friends  in  Canada.  We  have  heard  your  reasons, 
and  are  sorry  to  lind  (hat  one  of  our  blood  is  already  (here, 
endeavonring  to  draw  their  minds  from  us  when  we  mean  no- 
thing bnt  peace  towards  them.  As  tlieri!  are  a  great  many 
I'iUglishmen  in  Canada,  we  know  not  who  yon  mean.  We 
shall  therefore  he  glad  to  have  the  parliiMilar  man  pointed  out.'' 

To  this  reipiest,  the  iMohawk  sachem,  Little  Abraham,  replied  : 

"Urotiikks:  We  (ake  it  for  granted  that  you  idl  know  the 
very  man  we  mean.     We  said  Ik^  was  of  your  blood.     We  sot; 
no  necessity  of  pointing  him  out  more  explicitly." 
♦  tJiiv  JolinHon  was  doubtluBs  llic  man  iill'rrcd  tct. 


»   V 


1775.] 


COUNCIL    AT    ALBANY, 


97 


■it : 


It 


The  times  bcins;  critical,  and  the  people  of  the  valley  being 
excecdiiiuly  suspicious  of  the  movements  of  the  Indians,  the 
latter  were  not  altoi(elhor  without  ap])rehension  that  some  evil 
mii^lit  bufal  tlitMU  in  their  course  to  Albany.  'J'iahogwando 
therefore  addressed  the  council  upon  that  point  as  follows: — • 

"HiioTiiKii  .SoLiiioANV,  aiulour  Albany  Brother:  We  take 
it  for  ii-rat'.t(.'d  you  liave  called  us  to  a  council  of  peace  and  en- 
tire friendship  ;  and  you  have  taken  ns  by  the  hand.  As  there 
ai'e  mei:  ol'ditlercnt  minds,  and  some  of  them  may  be  ill  dis- 
posed, we  d(!sire  you  will  admonish  your  own  people  that  they 
oiler  us  no  abuse  in  the  way  down  to  your  council-hre  of  peace. 
If  this  caution  should  be  neii:lceled,  some  misibrtune  mitrht 
liMp[)en  ;  as  all  peo[)le  do  not  meet  so  much  like  brothers  as  for- 
m:n-ly,  on  aceoimt  of  the  jjresent  situation  of  alfairs.  It  would 
be  unhappy  if  our  couiicil-firo  should  be  crushed  by  any  mis- 
chief-makers. ^\^!  have  liiveu  you  this  caution,  that  while  we 
are  marching'  alon;^  in  pLviee  and  ([uietness,  we  mii,dit  not  be 
alarnu'd  by  a  blow  struck  in  our  rear.  We  therefore  desire  you 
would  be^iu,  even  at  this  council-lire,  to  publish  your  admo- 
nitions to  unwise  and  ungovernable  people.  I'y  this  belt  wo 
declare  to  y()U,  our  IJrothers,  that  the  road  is  open  lor  jjassino^ 
and  repassiuLi",  and  free  from  all  embarrassments,  throui,di  the 
Si-K  Nations,  as  it  has  been  for  a  loufj  time.  Tlu'refore  we  de- 
sire that  we  may  have  the  same  open  road  down  to  your  in- 
tended council-lire  at  Albany."* 

Colonel  FriUieis  replied  :  — 

*•  Uin;TiiRi;\  of  Tin;  Six  Nations:  I?y  this  belt  you  de- 
sire that  W(!  may  clear  the  road  to  Albany,  that  none  of  our 
people  ni;ty  injure  you.  The  roud  shall  bo  ns  clear  for  you  to 
pi  lo  Albany,  as  it  is  for  us  to  <ro  to  the  country  of  the  Si.v  Na- 
tions. Tlu)  twelve  United  Colonies  have  i,nven  us  iL^reat 
power  ovi'r  the  white  people.  We  will  appoint  white  men, 
who  speak  your  language  and  love  your  nations,  to  sco  yoii 
safe  down  to  Albany,  and  (o  proviile  jirovisions  for  yo\i  on  tho 
way.  We  shall  .s(!t  out  fu*  Albany  to-morrow  morning,  to  pre- 
pare matters  for  kindling  u[)  the  great  eouueil-iire  there." 

The  Moard  of  (^)nnnissioners  liu'  the  Norlhern  ne|)arlment 
met  at  Albany,  on  tho  '^3d  of  August,  (with  the  exception  of 


♦  An  Mr.  Iviiklanii  was  in  lUlciuliiiico  upon  this  council,  iho  Indian  upoochci  wero 
doubtU'si  inturprctuil  iiy  hini. 


98 


LIFE    OF    BRANT, 


[1775. 


Major  Hawley,  who  had  dclined  liis  appointment  in  conse- 
quence of  ill  heahh,)  and  made  the  necessary  arrangements  for 
holding  the  treaty.  An  invitation  was  given  to  the  civil  au- 
thorities of  Albany,  to  pay  the  sachems  and  warriors  a  compli- 
mentary visit  in  company  with  the  Commissioners,  which  was  ac- 
cepted. A  committee  of  the  principal  gentlemen  of  Albany  was 
likewise  appointed,  to  join  in  the  complimentary  visit  on  the 
21th.  On  reaching  the  quarters  of  the  chiefs,  they  were  ad- 
dressed as  follows: — ■ 

"Uretiipuin  of  the  Six  Nations: — We,  the  deputies 
appointed  by  the  twelve  United  Colonies,  the  descendants  of 
Q,ucdar,  and  the  gentlemen  of  the  city  of  Albany,  congratulate 
you  on' your  arrival  here.  'ri"'v  are  glad  to  sec  you  well,  and 
thank  the  Great  God  that  he  sutlers  us  to  meet."'    ' 

In  the  course  of  this  interview,  the  sachems  intimated  a  de- 
sire to  have  a  consultation  M'ith  the  municipal  oliicers  of  the 
city  of  Albany  before  they  met  the  cominissioncrs  in  formal 
council.  It  appears  that  th(^re  had  been  some  diplomatic  pas- 
sages between  the  Oneida  Indians' ahd  the  Albanians,  and  an 
interchange  of  messenger's  ;  and  the  chiefs  were  now  desirous 
of  having  a  conference  with  them.  Tl  j  conniiissioners, 
anxious  to  humor  the  Indians,  assented  to  ihe  request ;  and 
the  Albanians  a])pointed  a  committee,  consisting  of  Walter 
Livingston,  Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer,  and  Samuel  Stringer, 
to  make  the  arrangements.  The  interview  took  place  the 
same  evening,  when  tSc(m'/ni((^cr((f,  an  Oneida  chief,  opened 
the  jH'oceedings  with  a  speech  of  very  unusual  length  for  an  In- 
dian. lleeonmnMiced  by  an  expression  of  hisgratilication  that, 
on  o]iening  the  ashes  to  rekindle  th(5  old  council-fn-e,  they  had 
found  some  oi'  the  sparks  remaining,  lie  next  referred  to  the 
proce(!dings  of  a  previous  consultation  at  the  German  Flatts, 
touching  the  conduct  of  Guy  Jolinson  in  removing  their  mis- 
sionaries, and  other  matters.  The  meeting  referred  to  seems 
to  have  been  a  partial  eoimeil,  to  which  tin;  Albanians  lutd  sent 
a  deputation,  the  object  of  which  was,  by  the  exhibition  of  sonio 
ancient  belts,  to  remind  the  Indians  of  a  former  covenant  of 
])eac(!  with  Uuedar,  and  to  ilissuade  them  iVoni  engairnig  in 
the  existing  (piarrel.  What  had  been  said  by  the  Albany  de- 
puties, at  the  confereni'o  referred  to,  but  of  which  no  record 
seems  to  huvo  been  preserved,  was  now  repeated  in  substance 


1775.] 


COrXCII.    AT    ALBANY. 


99 


mt, 
liul 
ho 
fs, 
is- 
ms 
nt 
1)1 1  in 
of 
ill 
(Ic- 
ord 
iicu 


by  the  Oneida  chief,  after  tlie  Indian  manner  of  conducting 
their  councils.  lie  then  proceeded  to  VQply  srriafii/i :  Iroin 
whicli  circiiinstance  it  is  probahle  that  the  former  council-fire 
had  been  raked  up,  before  its  procecdinjrs  were  brousriit  to  a 
close.  The  reply  now  made  was  decidedly  and  strouijly  paci- 
fic. The  chief  admitted  that  "  evil  birds  "  had  been  busy  in 
circulatino-  unpleasant  rumors,  and  that  elForts  had  been  made 
to  make  them  swerve  from  tlieir  neutrality  by  Guy  Johnson 
or  his  agents — at  least,  such  was  the  inference  from  the  speecii ; 
but  he  over  and  over  again  protested  the  determination  of  the 
Six  Nations  to  avoid  interfering  with  the  controversy,  and  only 
exhorted  the  Colonists  to  keep  the  })atii  into  tiieir  country 
open,  so  that  they  could  pass  and  rei)ass  without  molestation. 
In  regard  to  the  removal  of  their  missionary,  the  chiefs  said 
Guy  Johnson  had  done  it  pursuant  to  "a  belt"*  received  liom 
Governor  (iage.  He  expressed  the  greatest  respect  for  Mr. 
Kirkland  ;  hut  at  the  same  time,  under  the  cii'cumstances  of 
the  ease,  suggested  whether  it  would  not  on  the  whole  be  bet- 
ter lor  Mr.  Iv.  to  leave  them  for  the  present,  until  the  storm 
should  be  over  and  gone. 

The  speech  having  l)een  ended,  the  All)anian  Committee 
tliaidced  them  for  it,  and  i)romised  a  reply  after  the  grand  coun- 
cil with  the  Connnissioncrs  of  the  Twelve  Colonies  should  be 
terminated. 

That  eouncil  commenctMl  its  sittings  on  the  day  followinu' — 
August  '^i^th.  The  Oneiila  sjjeaker  o(  the  preceding  evening 
opened  iIk;  council  very  approi)rialely,  after  which  the  C'om- 
niissioners,  before  j)roeeedh.g  formally  to  business,  proposed  that 
they  should  all  sit  down  and  smokt;  the  [)ipi'  of  peace  together. 
The  suggestion  was  acceded  to,  and  the  calumet  passed  round, 
This  ceremony  having  been  ended,  thi;  ("'omiiiissioners  o])('iied 
(heir  mission  by  ii  very  appropriate  and  eircetive  spef>cli,  remind- 
ing the  Indians  of  somti  aneieni  covenants  of  li'ieii(lslii[i  with 
the  Colonists,  and  r(>peating  lo  them  a  portion  of  tla;  speech  of 
Caitnassat('Ofj>(),  an  old  and  popular  sachem  of  (ho  Six  Nations, 
whose  name  and  charae(er  were  held  in  great  reverence  by 
them,  delivered  thirty  years  before  at  u  great  council  lield  in 

*  Au  urdur. 


T 


100 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1775. 


m. 


if 


I 


Lancaster.*     Tho  exiiortation  was,  to  union  among  themselves, 
and  peace  and  friendship  with  tlie  Colonists. 

The  council  was  then  adjourned  to  the  2Gth,  wlien  the 
Connnissioners  presented  the  address  from  the  Congress,  of 
which  particular  mention  has  been  made  on  a  preceding  page. 
The  deliberations  of  Indian  councils  arc  slow  procedures. 
Their  language  is  composed  of  long  and  intricate  compounds, 
and  the  necessity  of  deliberate  and  thorough  interpretations,  so 
that  the  matter  spoken  and  explained  be  fastened  upon  the 
memories  of  the  Indians,  who  possess  not  the  advantajie  of 
written  languao-e,  renders  the  process  tedious.  The  entire  sit- 
tings of  two  days  were  therefore  required  for  the  delivery  and 
interpretation,  ])y  jMr.  Kirkland,  of  the  Congressional  "talk" 
with  which  t!ie  Commissioners  were  charged.  At  the  close, 
one  of  the  chiefs  decliU'cd  that  the  address  contained  '-nothing 
"  but  wliat  was  pleasant  and  good."  But,  as  the  matters  pro- 
posed were  of  hii,di  importance,  they  requested  the  next  day  for 
separate  deliberation  among  themselves,  promising  on  the  suc- 
ceeding day,  August  27th,  to  midve  their  reply.  It  was  not, 
liowevor,  initil  the  Dlst  of  August  that  the  Indians  M'ere  rea- 
dy to  niak'e  known  the  results  of  their  own  secret  councils. 
Their  answer  was  delivered  by  Litfle  Ahra/iani,  the  ]\Iohawk 
sachem  of  the  Lower  Castle.  It  was  an  able  speech,  thoroughly 
pacilic.  But  there  m-;is  one  declaration  which  it  is  diilicult  to 
reconcile  witli  the  admitted  veracity  of  the  Indians,  since  it 
wr.s  inconsistent  with  the  well-known  course  of  Guy  .Tolmson, 
and  the  covenant  which  had  then  already  been  made  by  Brant 
and  his  followers,  with  8ir  CJuy  Carlefon  and  General  Haldi- 
niand  at  Montreal.  "We  allude  to  the  declaration  of  Littlo 
Abndiam,  that  .lohnson  had  iidvisinl  them  to  assume  and  pre- 
serve a  neutral  ])osition  at  the  recent  Oswego  council.  The 
proceediufTs  of  Hrant  and  Guy  Johnson  at  Montreal  had  not 
then  probably  transpired  in  the  Mohawk  Valley.  Still  Guy 
.lohnson  must  have  dissembleil,  or  spolcen  with  a  "  fork'cd 
tongue,"  to  those  Indians  whom  he  supposed  friendly  to  the 
Colonies,  or  so  great  a  mistake  could  not  have  been  nuidc  by 
liilth'  Abraham. 


+  A  iirothor  of  Cannassatcpgo  was  present  on  this  occasion,  ond  well  reinem* 
bercd  iiis  words. 


»  /O.J 


COUXCIL    AT    ALBANY. 


101 


III  the  course  of  their  speech,  the  chiefs  expressed  a  strons:  at- 
taclinicnt  for  Sir  Jolm  Johnson  as  the  son  of  their  old  friend,  Sir 
William,  who  was  horn  amon<r  tliem,  and  of  Dntcli  extraction 
by  Ids  mother.*  They  desired  that  whatever  niiu-ht  be  tlie 
cause  of  the  w-'^'*  j.r  John  miffht  be  left  unmolested.  The 
sani(!  request  was  also  interposed  in  behalf  of  their  missionary, 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Stewart,  who,  they  said,  had  been  sent  to  them 
by  tlie  King  ;  and  also  because  ho  never  "  meddled  with  civil 
alTairs,"  but  was  intent  only  on  "  instructing  them  in  the  way  to 
heaven." 

In  the  conclusion  of  his  speech,  Abraham  took  occasion  to 
refer  to  some  domestic  matters  between  themselves  and  the 
people  of  Albany.  He  charged  them  with  having  taken  two 
pieces  of  land  from  the  INIohawks,  without  paying  therefor  so 
much  even  as  a  pipe.  These  lands  the  Indians  desired  the 
Twelve  Colonies  to  restore,  and  put  them  into  poaceable  pos- 
session again.  "If  you  refuse  to  do  this,"  said  he,  "we  sludl 
'*  look  upon  the  prospect  as  bad  ;  for  if  you  conquer,  you  will 
"  take  us  by  (he  arm  and  ]iull  ns  all  off."  In  thus  saying,  he 
spoke  with  the  spirit  of  prophecy  ! 

Wiien  little  Abraham  had  ended,  Tiuhnrrvmuln,  an  Onei- 
da, made  a  short  speech  on  the  subject  of  the  then  pending 
bloody  and  bitter  controversy  between  Comiecticut  and  Pemi- 
sylvania,  respecting  the  territory  of  Wyoming,  of  which  a  liill 
account  will  follow  in  its  proper  place.  The  Indians  avowed 
that  the  land  had  been  conveyed  by  them  to  Peim,  as  a  free 
gift — the  Great  Spirit  not  allowing  them  to  sell  that  country. 
In  the  course  of  their  speeches,  the  chiefs  reipiested  that  the 
Indian  trade  miuht  be  reopened  with  them,  both  at  Albany  and 
Schenectady,  and  that  somebody  might  bo  ajipoinled  to  guard 
the  tree  of  peace  at  Albiuiy,  and  keep  the  council  fire  burning. 

On  the  1st  of  September  the  Commissioners  made  their  re- 
ply, conciliatory  in  its  character,  and  accciling  to  the  jirincipal 
requests  of  the  Indians.  They  also  iidbrmed  the  chiefs  that 
they  had  a|)i)ointed  (Jeneral  Schuyler  and  iMr.  Douw  to  keep 
the  lire  burning.  Thus  ended  the  council  with  the  agents  of 
the  Colonies.  The  "unfinished  business"  with  the  vMba- 
niaiis  was  resumed  on  the  next  dsiy — September  '<id — for  whicli 

♦  Tlio  mother  of  Sir  Jolin  was  a  German  ludy,  but  in  the  Molmwk  Valley  llio 
Germans  aru  usmilly  called  D'utcli  to  thii  day. 


I  ',. 


I,     in-- 


102 


LIFK    Of    HRANT. 


[u  to 


ff  I 


? 


I 
I;  I    I 

I)  I 

'1 


It.        J  ' 


purpose  a  council  was  formed  in  the  Presbyterian  church. 
The  Commissioners  of  the  United  Colonies  were  hkewiso  in  at- 
tendance. After  the  preliminaries  of  form  had  been  gone 
through  with,  the  Indians  were  addressed  at  length  by  the 
Albany  Committee.  In  the  course  of  their  speech,  they  ad- 
verted particularly  to  the  council  at  Oswego  and  the  proceed- 
ings of  Guy  Johnson  at  that  place,  respecting  which,  they  ?aid, 
they  had  received  no  certain  advices,  and  of  which  they  wished 
to  be  fully  and  explicitly  informed.  In  regard  to  the  land 
question  interposed  by  the  Indians,  the  Committee  said  they  pre- 
sumed reference  was  had  to  the  lands  at  Ticondcroga.  That 
was  a  question  between  tlie  Indians  and  the  corporation  of  Al- 
bany ;  whererrs  they  were  a  committee  from  the  people,  and 
could  not  entertain  the  question.  Tlicy  reminded  the  Indians, 
however,  that  the  question  liad  been  agitated  before,  and  set- 
tled by  tlie  CJolonial  Assembly,  They  also  gave  them  to  un- 
derstand that  the  Indians  were  not  the  party  having  cause  of 
complaint' in  that  matter. 

The  reply  of  the  Indians  was  delivered  by  Little  Abraham. 
Waiving  tlie  land  question,  he  proceeded  to  answer  the  ques- 
tions put  to  them  concerning  the  Oswego  council.  "  We  look 
"  upon  it,"  siiid  he,  "  that  God  will  punish  us  should  we  conceal 
"  any  thing  from  you."  The  ibilowing  passages  are  quoted  from 
the  reply  of  Abraham  :-r^   .,  .  ,-•  •    r     , 

"  IJiioTiiKRs :  Tile  transactions  of  that  treaty  were  very 
public.  The  Shawmiese  were  thure,  and  some  from  Detroit. 
Mr.  Johnson  told  us  ,that  the  fire  kindled  there  was  a  fire  of 
peace ;  that  all  the  white  peopltj  were  the  King's  subjects, 
and  that  it  seemed  they  were  intoxicated.  He  said  the  white 
people  were  all  got  drunk,  and  tliat  God's  judgment  hung  over 
them  ;  but  lie  did  not  know  on  which  side  it  would  fall.  Mr. 
Johnson  fiirther  told  us,  that  the  present  council  fire  was  kin- 
dled on  account  of  the  present  dispute,  and  desired  us  not  to 
interfere,  as  they  were  brothers  ;  and  begged  us  to  sit  still  and 
maintain  peace.  This  is  what  Colonel  Johnson  told  us  at  that 
coimcil-lire.  He  also  said  he  had  his  eye  on  Mr.  Kirkland : 
that  he  was  gone  to  Philadcjlpliia,  and  along  the  sea-coast :  that 
he  was  become  a  great  soldier  and  a  leader.  "  Is  this  your 
"  minister .'"'  says  he  ;  "  do  you  think  your  minister  minds  your 
"  souls?     No.     IJy  the  time  he  comes  to  Philadelphia,  he  will 


1775.] 


COUNCIL    AT    ALBANY. 


103 


"  be  a  fi^roat  warrior,  and  when  he  returns,  he  will  be  the  chief 
"  of  all  the  Five  Nations." 

"  Brothers  :  There  were  present  five  people  of  Detroit, 
fi.vc  from  Cauglniawaga,  and  two  of  the  Shawanese.  Colonel 
Johnson  told  them  that,  by  the  time  he  returned  from  Canada, 
they  should  have  all  their  men  there,  and  he  would  then  kin- 
dle a  council-lire  ;  and  he  would  also  desire  them  not  to  take 
any  part  in  this  dispute,  as  it  was  a  quarrel  between  brothers. 
lie  also  told  them  that  he  was  going  to  the  Governor  of  Cana- 
da, who  was  of  a  ditferent  opinion  from  him,  but  would  talk 
with  him.  And  he  further  said  that  he  would  tell  the  Cauffh- 
nawaga  Indians  the  same  that  he  told  us,  and  for  that  purjiose 
desired  that  two  of  each  nation  miffht  go  alonsf  and  hear  it. 
He  likewise  desired  us  to  consider  which  way  we  would  have 
our  trade — whether  up  this  river  or  from  Canada.  lie  at  the 
same  time  assured  us  that  we  should  not  sutler  from  want  of 
goods,  as  Ave  were  not  concerned,  nor  had  any  hand,  in  the 
])resent  dispute.  He  also  said  something  about  the  council- 
fires.  Ho  said  there  were  two  fires  which  you  should  keep 
your  eyes  upon ;  and  if  they  call  you  down  to  Albany,  do  not 
you  go  ;  for  they  will  deceive  you,  and  tell  you  a  great  many 
fine  stories.  We  are  very  glad  that  your  language  and  Colo- 
nel Johnson's  so  well  agrees." 

This  report  of  the  proceedings  of  Guy  Johnson  at  Oswego 
was  cer'ainly  imexpected,  and  entirely  at  variance  with  the 
tenor  of  his  conduct  previous  to  his  d(»[)arture  from  the  Mohawk 
Valley,  and  durint;  his  progress  to  the  west.  It  is  barely  possi- 
ble tliut  he  had  not  fully  made  up  his  mind  as  to  the  course  ho 
might  ultimately  [>ursue,  and  that  his  purpose  was  not  definitive- 
ly determined  upon,  until  after  his  meetin<i:  with  Carleton  and 
llaldimand  at  jNlontrral.  And  it  is  abundantly  certain  thathis 
notions  of  Indian  neutrality,  even  had  he  entertained  them, 
were  very  speedily  abandoni'd. 

With  the  delivery  of  Abraham's  last-mentioned  speech,  how- 
ever, the  council  was  closed;  and  aUhough  Schuyler  and 
Douw  hud  been  a[)p()inted  to  keep  the  council  fire  burning,  yet 
tlift  ashes  were  soon  raked  up — never  to  be  opened  again  at 
Albany,  for  that  was  the  last  grand  Indian  council  ever  held  in 
that  city.* 

*  As  rncntioiicd  in  the  Introduction  to  tlio  present  volume,  the  interesting  pro- 

18 


'■( 


lUl 


LIFE    01"    nRANT. 


[1775, 


I  u 


Th(j  result  was  liiiihly  satislhctory  to  the  Commissioners,  and 
apparently  so  to  the  Indians,  who  had  been  well  provided  for 
during  the  three  weeUs  occupied  at  tlie  German  Flatts  and 
Albany.  On  their  departure,  moreover,  they  were  handsomely 
supplied  widi  presents,  and  tliey  took  their  leave  with  mani- 
festations of  great  good-will. 

Most  unfortmiately,  however,  soon  after  their  return  from 
Albany,  an  epidemic  disorder  appeared  among  them,  in  the 
form  of  a  highly  malignant  fever.  It  was  a  disease  which  they 
had  never  seen,  and  by  it  great  mmibers  were  swept  away. 
The  Schoharie  canton  of  the  Mohawks,  in  particular,  snft'ered 
very  severely.  Indeed,  they  were  almost  exterminated.*  The 
small  number  who  survived,  imbibed  the  impression  that  the 
Great  Spirit  had  sent  the  pestilence  upon  them  in  ang'n*  for  not 
Jiaving  taken  sides  with  the  King.  They,  ther(!fore,  Ibllowed 
their  brethren  from  the  ]\Iohawk  Valley,  Avho  had  escaped  to 
Canada  with  Guy  Johnson.  In  the  subsequent  invasions  of 
the  Tryon  County  settlements,  these  Schoharie  Indians,  who 
thus  deserted  by  an  impulse  of  superstition,  were  among  the 
most  forward  and  cruel. t  It  should  also  be  borne  in  mind, 
that,  after  all,  the  council  comprised  but  an  inadequate  and  par- 
tial representation  of  the  Six  Nations,  with  the  exception  of  the 
Oneidas  and  the  lower  clan  of  the  Mohawks.  The  great  body 
of  the  Mohawk  warriors,  lieaded  by  Thayendanegea,  had  left 
the  country ;  and  tlie  most  influential  of  the  Onondagas,  Cay- 
ugas,  and  Senecas,  had  also  accompanied  Brant  and  Guy 
Johnson  to  Montreal  ;  and  events,  at  no  very  distant  day,  proved 
that  the  Albany  treaty  had  been  held  to  very  little  purpose.  It 
is  not  consistent  with  the  nature  or  liabits  of  Indians  to  re- 
main inactive  in  the  midst  of  war. 

Still,  for  the  time  being,  those  proceedings  were  not  without 
benefit  to  the  cause  of  the  country.     The  people  of  Tryon 

cccdings  of  which  a  nicio  outline  has  been  given  in  the  text,  Imvc  never  before  been 
published  complete.  Tlieir  importance — tlieir  intrinsic  interest — and  tlie  fact  that 
it  was  the  last  grand  council  of  the  confederacy  ever  holden  in  Albany,  lind  induced 
the  author  originally  to  arrange  the  whole  in  the  text.  But  their  great  lenath,it  was 
thought,  would  too  seriously  obstruct  the  narrative.  Hence  liiey  have  been  trans- 
ferred to  the  Appendix.  It  was  the  first  design  of  the  author  to  abridge  the 
speeches,  but  an  attempt  soon  proved  that  their  force  and  spirit  would  bo  lost  in 
the  process.  See  Appendix. 
♦  Letter  of  John  M.  Brown,  on  the  early  liistory  of  Schoharie.  f  Idem. 


11^ 


SIR.    JOHN    JOHNSON. 


105 


County  were  relieved,  by  the  stipulations  of  peace  and  neutral- 
ity, Irom  ajjprehensions  of  immediate  danger  from  without; 
and  the  Committee  of  Safety  was  consequently  enabled  to  direct 
their  attention,  not  only  to  the  more  elhcient  orgamzation  of 
the  settlements  lor  defence,  but  to  the  civil  government  of  the 
couiUy. 

J  Jut,  notwithstanding  tlic  line  spirit  manifested  thus  far  by  a 
majority  of  the  people  in  the  interior,  and  that  too  under  all 
the  disadvaiUages  we  have  been  contemplating — notwithstand- 
ing the  decisive  tone  of  the  languay-e  used  in  denouncing  the  op- 
})ressions  ot  the  Crown, — it  was  not  yet  exactly  certain  that  the 
Colony  of  New-York  would  range  itself  against  the  royal  au- 
thority. Governor  Tryon,  who  was  popular  in  the  Colony, 
had  recently  been  recalled  from  North  Carolina,  and  again  ap- 
pointed Governor  of  New-York  ;  and  \w  was  exerting  his  utmost 
powers  to  detach  her  from  tiie  cause  of  the  Union — seconded 
by  the  Asia,  man  of  war,  then  lying  in  the  harbour,  and  com- 
manding the  city  of  New- York  by  Jier  guns.  The  captain  of 
the  Asia  had  threatened  to  destroy  the  town  should  General 
Lee,  who  M'as  then  approaching  with  an  army  from  the  east, 
be  allowed  to  enter  it ;  and  such  were  tlie  prevalence  of  terror 
and  the  power  of  intrigue,  that  disatlection  to  the  cause  of  the 
Union  began  to  exhibit  itself  openly  in  the  Provincial  Congress. 
Indeed,  avowals  of  a  design  to  place  themselves  under  the  royal 
standard  were  iniequi vocally  uttered.  These  untowar''  ap- 
pearances were  rendered  the  more  threatening  by  the  discovery 
of  a  secret  correspondence,  Irom  which  it  wa.s  ascertained  that 
the  parent  goverimiinit  was  preparing  to  send  a  fleet  into  the 
Hudson,  and  to  occupy  both  New-York  and  Albany  with  its 
armies.*  Of  these  d^isigns  Sir  John  .Tohnsoii.  M'^as  probably 
well  aware,  and  the  liope  of  their  accomplisliment  may  have  in- 
duced him  to  linger  behind,  watching  the  signs  of  the  times, 
after  the  departure  of  his  brother-in-law  and  his  army  of  fol- 
lowers. Sir  John  had  alsu  a  numerous  tenantry,  who  were 
mostly  loyalists  ;  and  the  vScotch  colonists,  settled  in  largo  num- 
bers in  Johnstown  and  its  neighbourhood,  of  whom  mention 
has  formerly  been  made,  being  loyalists  likewise,  constituted  for 
liim  a  respectable  force  upon  wuich  he  could  rely  in  a  case  of 
emergency. 

♦  Marshall's  Life  of  Washington. 


y^ 


106 


LIFE    OF    nR.WT. 


[1775. 


1% 


V| 


The  Dutch  nnd  German  population  of  the  valley,  liowever, 
were  chielly  Whigs  ;  as  also,  by  this  time,  were  a  decided  ma- 
jority of  the  entire  white  population,  not  only  of  the  IMohawk 
Valley,  but  of  Schoharie,  Clierry  Valley,  and  the  otlier  settle- 
ments in  the  southern  part  of  that  widely-extended  comity. 
The  general  Committee  executed  their  functions  with  e(iual 
diligence  and  vigour.  Tlie  inhabitants  were  enrolled  and  or- 
ganized into  militia;  the  Committee  de])osed  the  sherilf,  AleX' 
ander  White/"  'md  caused  Colonel  John  Frey  to  be  appointed 
in  his  jilace  ;  and,  in  one  word,  they  took  nj)on  themselves  both 
the  civil  and  military  jurisdiction  of  the  large  section  of  coun- 
try, over  which  they  had  provisionally  assun<ed  the  govern- 
ment. "White  had  rendered  himself  particularly  odious  to  the 
Whigs  from  the  lirst.  Under  some  triiling  pretext,  he  had  ar- 
rested a  Whig  liy  tlu;  name  of  John  Fonda,  and  coinmitttd  hiin 
to  ])rison.  His  friends,  (o  the  number  of  fifty  men,  under  the 
conduct  o(  Sampson  Sammons,  went  to  the  jail  at  night  and 
released  him  by  force.  From  the  prison  they  proceeded  to  the 
lodgings  of  the  sherilf,  and  demanded  his  surrender.  "VN  lute 
looked  out  from  the  second  story  M'indow,  and  probably  recog- 
nizing the  leader  of  IIk;  crowd,  iiKpiired — "Js  that  you,  Sani- 
nioiis  .'■'  "Yes,"  was  the  prompt  rejily;  njion  which  White 
discharged  a  pistol  at  the  sturdy  Whig,  l)ut  happily  without 
injury,  The  ball  M'hizzed  ])ast  his  head,  and  struck  in  the 
sill  of  the  door.  'J'his  was  the  first  shot  fired  in  fhi;  war  of  the 
Kevolulion  west  of  the  Hudson.  It  was  immediately  returned 
by  the  dischargt!  of  some  forty  or  lifly  muskets  at  the  sJieriH' 
but  the  only  ell'ect  was  a  slight  wound  in  the  breasi — just  suf- 
ficient to  draw  blood.  The  doors  of  the  house  W(Me  broUen, 
and  White  woiiUi  have  been  taken,  but  at  tiiat  moment  a  gu.i 
was  fired  at  the  hall  by  Sir  John.  This  was  known  to  bo  a 
sigiKil  U)r  his  retainers  and  Scotch  partisans  to  rally  in  arms; 
tmd  as  they  would  muster  u  force  of  five  himdretl  men  in  a 
very  short  time,  tlu;  Whigs  thought  it  most  |)rudent  todisperst'. 
MMicy  collected  again  at  Caiiglmawaga,  however,  and  sent  a 
deputation  to  Si'  John,  demanding  (hat  While  shoidd  be  given 
up  to  them.t     This  demand,  of  (.'ourse,  was  not  comj)lied  with. 

•  'I'lii^  tirxl  iilicily  piiliiircilnl  111  llir  Molitixvit  Viiliry  «iin  ul  llii' <  icnimii  Fiotts, 
and  Wliitc,  with  u  liiiiul  iit'ldyulixtK,  liuU  cut  duwii  tliu  uiiiblciii  uf  ribcUiun. 
I  MS.  nurrulivu  uf  Jucul)  Suiiuiioiiv. 


1775.] 


DEPOSITION    OF    SHERIFF    'WIIITE. 


107 


kits 


After  liis  dismissal,  as  already  mentioned,  by  an  act  of  the  peo- 
ple "  in  tlieir  sovereign  capacity,"  White  was  re-coniniissioned 
by  Governor  Tryon  ;  but  the  County  Committee  would  not 
sutler  him  to  re-enter  upon  the  duties  of  the  olllce.  On  the  con- 
trary, so  high  was  the  popular  indignation  against  him,  that  ho 
was  obliged  to  lly — setting  his  face  toward  Canada,  accompa- 
ni(!d  by  a  white  man  n;unfd  I'eter  Hone,  and  two  or  thre(!  In- 
dians. He  was  pursued  to  Jessu{)'s  landing  on  tlu;  Hudson 
River,  where  the  house  in  which  he  lodged  was  surrounded, 
and  the  fugitive  sherilf  taken  prisoner.  From  thence  he  was 
taken  to  Albany  and  imj)risoned.*  Shortly  afterward  lie  was 
released  on  his  parole,  and  left  the  country. 

The  exigencies  of  the  times  reipiired  prompt  and  vigorous 
action  ;  and  tin?  (.'onnnitlee  seems  to  have  l)een  conjposed  of  ex- 
jiclly  the  right  descri|)lion  of  men.  MMiey  arrt>sted  susj)icioiis 
])ers()ns,  tried  them,  lin(>d  some,  imj)ris()ned  nioie,  andexiicuted 
others.  'I'heir  duti(\s  also  involved  the  prciservation  of  the 
peace  in  a  critical  period,  among  a  mixed  jiopulalion  of  border- 
men,  ev(!r  mor(>  or  less  disposed  to  im[)atien('«'  under  legal  re- 
straint, and  of  course  r»'<iuiring  the  controlling  jiower  of 
u  strong  arm.  And  yet  [\ivsv,  high  duties  were  generally  dis- 
charged with  great  satislaction  to  the  pid)lic — the  loyalists  cx- 
ce))t(!d,  of  course — and  their  resolntionsand  decrees  W(M'osubmit- 
ted  to  by  their  constituents  with  alacrity.  Their  inlliuMico  was 
likewise  successfully  e.xerfe(l  in  winning  friends  to  the  po|)ular 
canse,  by  decidinir  th(^  waviM'ing  and  confuMuing  the  irresolute. f 

Added  to  these  mnltifarious  duties,  was  the  necessity  of 
kei'|iing  a  vigilant  walch  over  iIk?  motions  ol'  8ir  .lolm  .lohn- 
son,  whose  position  and  conduct  were  alike  ecpiivocul,  and  Iho 
numerous  loyalists  l)y  whom  he  was  surrounded.  Hy  these 
])eople  every  possible  obstacle  was  thrown  in  tlu!  way  of  iho 
Committee,  luid  no  method  of  amioying  and  embarrassing 
them  left  untried.  They  liibonred  to  destroy  the  confident!  of 
the  people  in  the.  Committee;  calletl  public  meetings  them- 
selves, and  chose  counter  commiltees  ;  now  atlempled  to  cover 
the  Whig  Committees  with  ridicule,  and  now  again  charged 
them  with  illegal  and  tyramucal  conduct. t  The  eonsecpiencu 
was, uiuluuloxasperalion—somelinKs between  near  neighbours; 


1'    '! 


*  Nttrrativo  of  Jucub  tsaiitiiiuiia.         )  CuinpbuU'ii  Aiiaula.       I  Idtni. 


lOS 


LIFE    OV   cnAXT. 


[1775. 


i^ 


fi^' 


^f    . 


and  the  reciprocal  cngcudcriiio:  of  hostile  feelings  between 
friends,  wlio  ranged  llieniseiv(\s  under  ojiposing  banners.  These 
incipient  neighbourhood  quiirrels  occasioned,  in  the  progress  ot 
the  contest  that  ensued,  sonic  of  the  most  bitter  and  bloody 
personal  conflicts  tliat  ever  marked  the  annals  of  a  civil  war. 
►Several  meiiil)ers  of  the  Conmiittee  subsequently  acted  a  dis- 
tinguished ])art  in  the  field  ;  many  of  thcni  sacrificed  their  es- 
lutes;  and  some  of  them  felb  Among  them,  Chuistopher 
P.  Yatks,  the  first  Chairman,  accompiuiied  General  IMont- 
gomery  as  a  volunteer  to  Tieonderoga  and  Canada,  and  after- 
ward raised  and  eonnnanded  a  corps  of  rangers.*  'IMie  fate 
of  Nicholas  Herkimer  is  well  known,  though  liis  deatli  will 
be  invested  with  new  and  additional  interest  in  the  progress  of 
this  nnrrative.t 

In  regard  to  Sir  John,  matters  were  now  fast  approacliing  to 
a  crisis.  On  the7tli  of  .September  the  Committee  wrote  to  the 
Provincial  (.'ongrcss  in  New- York',  denouncing  his  conduct 
and  that  of  his  associates — particularly  the  Highlanders,  who, 
to  th(!  number  of  two  hundred,  were  said  to  be  gathered  about 
him,  and  by  whom  the  Whigs  "were  daily  scandalized,  ])ro- 
"  yoked,  and  threatened."  They  added — '•  ^Ve  have  great  sns- 
"  picious,  and  are  almost  assured,  thai  Sir  .Tohn  has  a  continual 
"  correspondiMiee  with  Colonc'l  (Juy  Johnson  and  his  ])arly."J 

No  sooner  had  the  Congress  of  Tin;  Twi.i.vi;  rM'ri:it 
CoLoNFK.s  agreed  to  th(^  Declaration,  or  maniii'sto,  mentioned 
in  the  begimiing  of  the  present  chapter,  proclaimiiig  to  Iho 
world  the  causes,  and  the  necessity  of  their  ap])eal  to  arms, 
than  it  was  fell,  on  all  hands,  even  by  the  timid  and  hesitating, 
that  Jlnglaiid  and  the  (.'olonies  now  stood,  not  in  the  relation 

*  ( 'iimplirirM  AnimlH. 

•f  'I'lif  I'tillowiiiy;  cxlriii'l  in  from  ii  lillcr  nl'  llii!  Slulr  <  'nmiiiitlcc  of  Sal'ity,  iiiiilcr 
(J(il(!  (if  Drri'iiilicr,  177."i,  i-i;;iir(l  Itv  .liiliii  M'Kc.xnuii,  (.'li'ik  nf  till-  l'it>vin('ml  Coii- 
gri'«!»: — "I  wiiK  cliri'ctrd  liy  llii«  (Nmjjrt'Hii  to  nsmiio  you  of  lli(<  high  cNlccm  und 
"  rrspi'cl  tlii'V  Imvi"  for  your  vinilmit,  iinlili-Hpiritcil  ( 'oiinty  ( 'omiiiillci',"  'I'lii-  folloM. 
inn  \v(iH  fioiii  Oi'iuiiil  ScliuyliT  111  lln' fiiiiiMU'r  t  f  177(i: — "'riii"  |iiupri('ty  of  xoiir 
"roiuliicl,  iinti  your  j{i'in'rou>i  exertions  in  tliecniifiMif  yourcoimliy,  entitle  you  totlio 
"  tliuiikx  of  every  one  of  iti  IViunib;  pleiine  to  iiiK'pf  of  niiiii;  iiiowt  Hineerely," 
rii'iiy(Ac//'.v  •liiiuils, 

I  It  wiH  iiflerwanl  n^ccrliiiiXMl  llmt  nueh  n  correopondenee  wan  rnrrleil  on 
tliriiii^li  llie  Iniliaiis,  wlio  conveyed  lilterM  in  tlie  IkmuUoI'  their  toiiialiiMvKM  and  in 
(lie  oniainenli  worn  iiImuiI  tin  ir  pernoiux.  'I'lie  liidiiuiH  uIhu  Uruui^lil  pow  ili  r  lu  lox* 
i'rotii  ( 'uiiudu.  —  ( 'tiitipbilt't .Inmih, 


1775.] 


SIR   JOHN    JOHNSON*. 


109 


I 


of  parent  and  children,  bnt  in  tlie  attitude  of  two  nations  lo^ral- 
ly  at  war.  Hence  tlie  patriots  of  Tryon  County  began  to  look 
more  cIo.scly,  and  with  greater  assurance,  to  the  fleportinciU  of 
Sir  John,of  whoscdesigns,asliasbcensecn,  they  had  fromthetu'st 
entertained  strong  suspicions.  The  movements  of  Sir  Guy  Carle- 
ton,  moreover.  Governor-general  of  Canada,  who  had  been  com- 
missiouv'd  to  muster  and  arm  all  p(^rsons  within  that  province, 
and  to  wage  war  by  land  and  sea  against "  all  enemies,  pirates,  or 
"rebels,  either  in  or  out  of  the  province,"  to  "take  them  and 
"put  them  to  death,  or  preserve  them  alive,  at  his  discretion," 
were  now  creating  great  uneasiness  on  the  northern  frontier, 
from  which  cpiarter  they  were  a[ipreheiiding  a  formidable  inva- 
sion. The  inanageuKMit  of  the  ncu'thern  dcparlMu^nt  having 
been  connnitted  lo  Generals  Schuyler  and  Ahjutgomery,  who 
were  now  directing  a  force  n|)on  ^lontreal  antl  Uuebcc,  the 
Tryon  County  Committee  deferminiMl  to|)robethe  intentions  of 
Sir  John  .h^hnsou  at  ouce  and  to  iIm;  bottom.  For  Ibis  pur- 
pose, on  the  'iOth  of  October,  they  adth'essed  him  the  following 
hotter  : — 


r  't 


bitiuu 


I,  nndcr 

]l    (nil. 

Ii'in  und 
li'llov. 
if  Minr 

III  totim 
•iTily." 

Innl  on 
iiiiil  irt 
lU  w»t 


"  Tryon  Connfi/  Coinmlttco  C/iambcr, 

Oct.  '<iG,  177.'). 
"  IToxouAni.K  Sni, 

"As  wo  liud  partirular  reason  to  ho  convinced  of  your 
opinion  in  the  (piestions  hereal'tor  expressed,  we  re(piir(!  you, 
that  you'll  plciise  to  oblige  us  with  your  senlimenls  iheroupou 
in  a  I'fw  lines  by  our  messengers,  the  bearers  hereof,  Messrs. 
I'lb(>nezer  Cox,  .Fames  McMaster,  and  .lohn  James  Klcx.'k,  nn'in- 
bt'rs  of  our  t  'ommiltee. 

"  We  want  to  Know  whrther  you  will  allow  that  the  inhal»it- 
ants  of  Johnstown  and  KiiiL''sborouij:h  nmy  form  theiuselvrs 
into  companies,  accorihug  to  the  rt'giilalions  o|"  our  ( 'onlinenl- 
nl  ( "ougress,  li)r  the  deH'nc(>  of  our  country's  cause;  and 
whelher  your  Honor  would  In  ready  himself  lo  give  his  per- 
sonal asslstaU(;e  to  the  samt;  purpose. 

"Also,  whclhev  you  pretend  a  prerogative  to  our  Comity 
court-house  ami  gaol,  and  woidd  hinder  or  interrupt  the  Com- 
millee,  to  maUe  use  of  the  same  public  houses,  to  our  want 
uuU  veivicu  ni  lliu  common  cuuso  / 


4  . 


110 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1775. 


k        » 


i  ! 


"  Wo  don't  donl)t  you  will  comply  with  our  reasonable  re- 
quests, and  thereby  oblige, 

"  Honorable  Sir, 
"  Your  obedient  and  humble  Servants. 
"  To  t/ic  "  By  order  of  the  Conmiittee, 

Honorable  >Sir  John  Johnson,  "  Nicholas  ITkukimer, 

Johnson  Ilali:'  "  Chairman." 

The  deputation  named  in  the  letter  waited  upon  Sir  John 
in  ])erson,  to  receive  his  answer — the  substance  of  which  they 
reported  to  the  Committee  verbally  as  ibllows,  viz  : — ■ 

"1.  ]Jy  perusing  our  letter,  Sir  .lohn  rejilied  tliat  he  thinks 
our  r('([uests  very  unreasonable,  as  he  never  liad  denied  the 
use  either  of  the  court-house  or  gaol  to  any  body,  nor  would 
yet  deny  it,  for  the  use  wliich  these  houses  iiave  been  built  for ; 
but  he  looks  upon  it  that  the  court-house  and  gaol  are  his  pro- 
perty till  he  is  ])aid  ,C70t) — tlie  amount  of  which  being  out  of 
liis  pocket  ft)r  tlie  building  of  the  same. 

"  2.  In  regard  of  embodying  his  tenants  into  companies,  he 
never  did  lorbid  tliem,  neither  should  do  it,  as  they  may  use 
tlicir  pleasure  ;  but  we  might  save  ourselves  the  trouble,  he 
Ix'ing  sure  that  they  would  not. 

"I?.  ConciMiiing  himself,  he  said,  that  before  he  would  sign 
any  ;issocialion,  or  would  lift  bis  hiuid  up  against  his  King,  ho 
would  rather  sull'cr  that  his  head  shall  he  cut  oil'. 

"  Further  he  replied,  that  if  we  shf)ul(l  mnke  any  uidawful 
use  of  the  gaol,  he  would  oj)pose  it,  and  also  he  mentions,  that 
ther<'  have  many  unfair  means  been  used  for  iuereasiug  the  as- 
sociation imd  uuitinu'the  people:  j'or  he  was  uil'ormed  by  credi- 
ble gentlemen  in  iN'ew-^'ork  that  they  were  obliged  to  unite, 
otherwise  they  could  not  live  there;  and  that  he  was  iiilbrme(l 
by  good  authority,  that  likewise  two  thirds  of  the  Cimajohariu 
and  ( ierman  l-'latts  people  have  been  forced  to  sign  the  articles  ; 
and  in  his  opinion  the  lloslon  I'.eople  are  open  rebels,  and  the 
other  Color.ies  have  joined  them." 

luimediately  on  reeeivuig  this  report,  the  (\)mmittee  defer- 
miued  to  bring  the  ipiestion  of  the  occupancy  of  the  gaol  to  an 
issue.  They  therefore  directed  that  two  of  their  jjrisoners, 
named  Lewis  Clement  and  IVter  Howen,*  who  had  been  sen- 

♦  A  nulmctnu'iil  iliH'iiinrnt  iinliiccs  the  l)oliif  lliat  llit'i»o  pri«incrN  wore  Indiunii, 
tho<i];li  it  ix  nut  mu  ditttiuitly  statvil. 


/ 


li 


1775.] 


SIR   JOHN   JOHNSON. 


Ill 


si<,m 


d.'fcr- 

■iOlKTS, 

n  soii- 
liidiunM, 


/ 


( 


tenced  to  certain  periods  of  confinement  for  political  offences, 
should  be  forthwith  conveyed  to  the  prison,  under  a  guard  com- 
manded by  Captain  Jacob  Seeder,  with  instructions,  that 
should  the  gaoler  refuse  to  receive  them  into  close  confinement 
for  the  time  specified,  or  should  they  be  opposed  by  Sir  John, 
then  Captain  Seeber  was  to  bring  them  to  the  house  of  "  our 
"  voted  and  elected  new  high  sheriff,  John  Frey,  Esq.  who  shall 
"  immediately  inform  thereof  our  chairman  for  further  direc- 
"  tions." 

^ir  John  did  not  allow  the  Committee  to  take  possession  of 
the  gaol,  and  they  were  obliged  to  fit  up  a  private  house  as  a 
temporary  prison  ;  while  some  of  their  prisoners  were  sent  to 
Albany,  and  others  as  far  as  Hartford  for  safe  keeping.*  The 
Committee  apprised  the  Provincial  Congress  of  their  proceed- 
ings in  (his  matter,  from  which  body  they  received  the  follow- 
ing comuumieation  in  reply ; — 

*'  Dec.  9lh,  The  Congress  have  this  day  entered  into  the 
consideration  of  your  letter  of  the  2Slh  of  October,  and  are  of 
opinion  that  your  application  to  Sir  John  Johnson,  requesting 
an  answer  from  him  whether  ho  would  allow  his  tenants  to 
form  themselves  into  companies,  and  associate  with  their 
brethren  of  your  County,  according  to  the  resolves  of  the  Con- 
tinental Congress,  for  the  defence  of  our  liberties,  was  impro- 
per with  respect  to  him,  and  too  condescending  on  your  part, 
ns  it  wos  a  matter  that  came  properly  within  your  province : 
and  to  which  we  doubt  not  but  you  are  competent,  as  you  have 
a  line  of  conduct  prescribed  to  you  by  Congress.  With  respect 
to  your  second  (piestion,  whether  he  would  take  any  active  part 
in  ibe  controversy  at  pr(;sent  existing  between  Great  Britain 
and  her  Colonies,  we  conceive  it  to  be  very  proper,  and  thank 
you  for  information  on  that  head. 

^'  As  to  the  third  question,  wo  conceive  that  ho  has  no  claim 
nor  title  to  the  court-house  and  gaol  in  the  County,  as  we  arc  cre- 
dibly told  that  his  father.  Sir  William  .lohnson,  did  in  his  lifetime 
convoy  tiio  same  to  two  gentlemen  in  trust  lor  the  use  of  your 
CouiUy.  However,  as  an  attempt  to  um'  the  same  for  the  pur- 
pose of  confining  persons  inimical  to  our  romilry  may  bo  pro- 
ductive of  bad  consoqueiicos,  we  beg  louvo  to  reoomniend  to  you, 

•  Cnmpbrll'n  Annoli. 
19 


),'f 


irtr^gBBSWW 


112 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1775. 


hf 


m 


to  procure  some  other  place  which  may  answer  the  end  of  a 
gaol.  And  give  you  our  advice  not  to  molest  Sir  John  as  long 
as  he  shall  continue  inactive,  and  not  impede  the  measures  ne- 
cessary to  be  carried  into  execution  from  being  completed. 

"  We  are  extremely  sorry  that  Mr.  White  has,  by  his  impru- 
dent conduct,  rendered  himself  justly  offensive  to  you.  The 
best  advice  we  can  give  you  in  this  unpleasant  affair  is,  that  if  you 
are  of  opinion  that  his  continuing  in  his  office  will  be  danger- 
ous to  your  liberties,  then  that  you  permit  the  office  to  be  ex- 
ercised by  his  deputies.  And  that  you  draw  up  a  petition,  get 
as  many  persons  of  your  County  to  sign  it  as  possible,  and  pre- 
sent it  to  the  Governor  of  the  Colony,  setting  forth  that  it  is 
very  disagreeable  to  the  people  in  general  that  he  should  exe- 
cute that  office,  and  praying  that  he  may  be  displaced,  and  his 
place  supplied  by  a  person  who  would  be  acceptable  to  the  peo- 
ple of  your  County. 

"  We  are  respectfully, 
"  Gentlemen, 

"  To  Nicholas  Herkimer,  Esq.    ")        "  Your  most  obedient 

Chairman^  and  the  >  "  humble  Servants, 

Committee  of  Tryon  Counti/.  5  "  By  order, 

Nathl.  WooniiuLL,  Pres." 

The  first  act  of  positive  hostility  on  the  part  of  tlic  Indians, 
during  this  bitter  and  bloody  contest,  was  committed  in  the 
Autumn  of  the  present  year.  General  JSciiuyler  having  been 
obliged  temporarily  to  leave  the  northern  army  in  consequence 
of  ill  health,  the  command  devolved  upon  General  Montgome- 
ry, who  had  advanced  a  second  time  upon  St.  Johns  and  cap- 
tured the  fortress— Sir  Guy  Carlcton  having  been  repulsed  by 
Colonel  Warner  at  Longueil,  in  his  attempt  to  cross  the  St. 
Lawrence  and  advance  to  its  succor.  It  appears  that,  either 
in  the  first  or  second  attack  upon  St.  .Tolms,  or  in  both,  the 
Americans  had  been  opposed  by  some  of  the  Mohawk  Indians 
— those,  doubtless,  who  had  accompanied  Guy  .fohnson  to  Ca- 
nada. Hence,  on  the  27tli  of  October,  tliu  Tryon  County 
(.Committee  "unanimously  resolved,  that  a  letter  should  bo 
"  sent  to  the  sachems  of  the  (Janojoharie  Castle,  in  regard  to 
"  tlio  return  and  present  abiding  of  some  Indians  in  tlieir 
"  Castle  from  Canada,  who  have  acted  inimically  against  us, 


1775.] 


HOSTILITY    OP   THE    INDIANS. 


113 


'res.' 


nans, 


"and  fouirht  a"-ainst  our  iniited  forces  near  the  fort  St.  John, 
"  not  to  give  shelter  to  such  real  enemies  among  them." 

No  copy  of  the  letter  written  pursuant  to  this  resolution  has 
been  preserved.  It  is  noted  among  the  papers  of  the  Commit- 
tee, however,  that  the  sachems  and  warriors  of  Canajoharie 
Castle  appeared  before  them  in  person,  and  made  the  following 
answer  to  their  epistle  of  remonstrance  : — 

"Brothers:  We  are  thankful  to  you  that  you  opened  to 
us  your  hearts,  and  we  comprehend  to  be  all  true  what  you 
wrote  to  us  'Ye  live  together,  Gentlemen,  and  we  shall  do  our 
endci  jr  lb  nver  you  upon  al  ','  contents  of  your  letter, 
as  mucli  as  we  can  remember  thereof. 

"Brothers:  Wo  have  not  yet  forgotten  our  agreement 
made  in  Albany.  It  is  not  such  a  long  time  ago,  we  can  re- 
member it  yet.  Although  we  have  not  put  it  in  writing,  it  is 
yet  in  our  memory.  We  can  remember  very  well  that  there 
have  been  twelve  Governors  with  whom  we  agreed,  and  we  made 
a  level  road  to  the  Six  Nations,  to  Boston,  and  to  Philadelphia. 

"  Brothers  :  We  have,  as  well  as  the  Senecas  and  others 
of  the  Six  Nations,  been  very  glad  to  make  that  road,  where 
wo  went  and  shall  go.  It  is  all  peace  and  very  good.  The 
Nations  have  been  very  glad  for  the  making  of  that  good  road, 
and  it  is  all  peaceable.  But  we  are  afraid  you  make  the  first 
disturbance  on  the  sea-side — because  you  arc  a  fighting  already. 
They  have  made  that  good  road,  but  they  will  not  hope  that 
we  should  spill  blood  upon  it.  You  said  in  your  letter  that 
you  cannot  keep  your  young  people  back,  but  we  think  you  are 
masters  of  them,  and  could  order  them.  Some  of  our  young 
people  are  now  in  Canada,  and  perhaps  tijcy  are  killed  ;  but  if 
so  bo,  our  hearts  will  not  be  sore  about  it. 

"  There  are  some  young  pconle,  among  them  liere,  wliom 
we  could  persuade  to  stay  and  not  to  meddle  themselves  with 
the  fighting  of  the  white  people ;  but  some  went  yet  away,  and 
wo  are  glad  to  sec  them  back  again,  because  they  have  been 
debauched  to  go  away. 

"  Brothers:  The  Six  Nations  arc  now  speaking  about  that 
good  road,  and  are  glad  ;  but  if  they  shall  perhaps  pass  that  road 
and  see  some  blood  sjjilled  upon  it,  then  they  would  In;  surprised. 

"BaorHEKs:  Wo  have  made  a  very  strong  agreement  of 
fiiendship  together,  and  wo  beg  you  will  not  break  it  for  sake 


h  ^ 


n 

9 


114 


LIFE   OP    BRANT. 


in  1\ '     * 


!! 


h    { 


[1775. 
You 


of  some  wrong  done  by  some,  who  have  been  debauched, 
will  drop  it,  we  hope,  for  the  present." 

Tlie  Committee  replied  to  them  in  substance,  that  if  those  of 
their  youns^  men  who  had  first  spilt  the  blood  of  their  white 
brethren,  had  come  back  repenting  of  their  conduct,  they 
should  first  liave  gone  to  the  Committee,  and  manifested  their 
sorrow  to  them.  Far  from  doing  so,  however,  one  of  them, 
named  William  Johnson,  had,  on  the  contrary,  boasted  of  his 
hostile  proceedings,  and  spoken  boldiy  against  the  cause  of  the 
Americans. 

On  the  30th  of  October,  at  the  request  of  some  of  the  chiefs 
of  the  Moimwk  Castle,  John  Marbatt  was  deputed  to  hold  a 
conference  with  them,  in  reference  to  the  imprisonment  of  Cle- 
ment and  Bo  wen.  P.Iar'iatt  says,  in  his  letter  to  General  Herki- 
mer, Chairman  of  the  Committee  : — 

"  The  heads  of  the  Mohawk  Castle  met  me  at  Abraham 
Quackenbush's,  and  made  a  speech  to  me.  They  said  we 
were  all  brothers,  and  all  brought  up  together,  and  hoped  that 
we  might  remain  so.  They  said  they  were  very  sorry  for  their 
two  brothers,  Lewis  Clement  and  Peter  Bowen,  and  desired 
that  they  might  be  discharged.  It  was  so  hard  for  them  to  sec 
their  brethren  in  confinement  that  they  could  not  rest.  Where- 
on I  told  them  there  was  a  law  ;  and  if  any  of  our  brothers 
transgressed  the  law,  they  nuist  expect  to  be  punished  by  the 
law.  I  told  them  that  any  one  that  behaved  [well]  should  not  be 
disturbed  at  all.  But  they  begged  that  as  they  had  transacted 
this,  [offended]  before  the  law  took  cficct,  they  might  be  dis- 
charged ;  and  if  ever  they  transgressed  again,  they  had  nothing 
to  say  against  punishing  them.  They  told  mo  that  they  want- 
ted  to  go  a  hunting,  and  could  not  go  from  home  contented 
until  this  matter  was  settled.  They  desired  me  to  give  them  an 
answer  against  next  iSaturday.  Cicntlcmeii,  I  hope  you  will 
settle  this  matter  for  peace's  sake.  Your  compliance  will  much 
oblige  your  friend  and  liunihlo  servant,"  dec. 

The  s])eech  from  the  Canajoharic  Indians,  just  recited, 
if  closely  scrutinised,  might  appear  scmewhat  equivocal. 
Still,  it  was  not  belligerent ;  and,  when  taken  in  connexion 
with  the  preceding  letter,  the  prosumi)tion  is  reasonable,  that 
the  Mohawks  remaining  about  their  ancient  castles,  had  not 
yet  determined  to  swerve  from  their  engagement  of  neutrality. 


4 


I 


1775.] 


PROGRESS    OF    EVENTS. 


115 


want- 
ilontcd 


Iccited, 

livocul. 

hcxion 

e,  that 

\(1  not 

trality. 


Such  was  the  progress  of  the  Revokuion,  in  the  County  of 
Tryon,  down  to  the  close  of  1775.  A  rapid  glance  at  contem- 
poraneous events  not  aU'eady  noted,  occurring  elsewhere,  will 
close  the  history  of  the  year.  The  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  had 
aroused  all  New  England  to  arms  ;  and  by  the  time  of  Gene- 
ral Washington's  arrival  to  assume  the  command,  during  the 
tirst  week  in  July,  the  British  forces  were  so  eflectually  shut  up 
in  Boston,  as  to  be  obliged  to  send  out  small  vessels  to  a  distance 
for  supplies.  To  cut  up  this  species  of  coast-wise  commerce, 
the  Colonies  of  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  and  Connecticut 
each  fitted  out  two  small  cruisers,  before  Congress  had  made  a 
suggestion  respecting  a  naval  armament.  The  first  avowal  of 
offensive  hostility  against  the  mother  country,  was  contained 
in  the  act  of  the  Massachusetts  Congress  for  fittinof  out  a  naval  ar- 
mament;  and  among  the  first  fruits  was  the  capture,  by  Captain 
Manly  of  Marblehead,  of  a  large  British  ordnance  brig,  laden 
with  several  elegant  brass  pieces  of  artillery,  a  large  supply  of 
small  arms,  tools  and  utensils  of  all  warlike  descriptions,  <fcc. 
Three  days  afterward  Captain  Miuily  captured  three  more 
British  ships  laden  with  military  stores.  South  Carolina  was 
at  the  same  time  making  vigorous  preparations  for  war,  but 
had  not  exceeding  3,000  lbs  of  gunpowder  within  the  province. 
By  fitting  out  a  fast  sailing  vessel,  however,  they  were  ena- 
bled to  intercept  a  supply  vessel  ofi:'  St.  Augustine,  and  obtain 
a  large  and  timely  addition  to  their  stores — 15,000  pounds  of 
gunpowder  alone.  Meantime  the  afliiirs  of  the  Colonies  con- 
tinned  to  form  the  leading  and  most  exciting  topic  of  debate  in 
the  British  Parliament.  Lord  North,  who,  it  is  now  known, 
acted  throusrhont  this  (jrcat  strng<jle  more  in  obedience  to  the 
positive  reqnisitions  of  the  King,  than  in  accordance  with  his 
own  private  wishes,  insisted  upon  the  strongest  measures  of 
compulsion.  General  Conway,  Colonel  Lutterell,  Mr.  James 
Givnville,  the  Duke  of  Grafton,  and  Iiord  Ijyttteton,  spoke  in 
favor  of  concession  to  the  Colonies,  and  argued  in  favor  of  re- 
pealing every  enactment  res[)ecting  the  matters  in  dispute  with 
the  Colonies,  subsequent  to  the  year  17fi3.  Tin;  ministers  con- 
tended that  they  might  as  well  aeknowlcdge  the  independence 
of  the  Colonies  at  once.  Mr.  Bniiic,  during  this  season,  made 
his  great  speech  on  American  allairs,  and  introduced  his  con- 
ciliatory bill,  proposing  "  a  renunciation  of  the  exercise  of  tax- 


u 


Hi'      » 

it 
'■;, 


P 


i  ■;    ? 


*.  ■ 


116 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1775. 


"  ation,  without  at  all  interfering  with  the  question  of  right. 
"  It  preserved  the  power  of  levying  duties,  for  the  regulation  of 
"  commerce  ;  but  the  money  so  raised  was  to  be  at  the  disposal 
"  of  the  several  general  assemblies.  The  tea  duty  was  to  be 
"  repealed,  and  a  general  amnesty  granted."  This  proposition, 
though  regarded  with  more  favor  than  the  others,  was  rejected  ; 
and  the  Administration  was  sustained  in  the  policy  of  sending  a 
large  sea  and  land  force  against  the  Colonies,  accompanied  with 
offers  of  mercy  upon  a  proper  submission.*  The  Continental 
Congress,  however,  still  continued  its  efforts  to  prevent  a  final 
separation ;  and  another  address  to  the  King  was  adopted,  be- 
seeching the  interposition  of  his  royal  authority  to  afford  relief 
from  their  afflicting  fears  and  jealousies,  and  restore  harmony  by 
tlie  adoption  of  such  measures  as  would  effect  a  permanent  recon- 
ciliation. This  petition,  signed  by  John  Hancock,  was  presented 
in  Parliament  on  the  7th  of  December,  and  gave  rise  to  several 
motions  for  a  pacification — all  of  which  were  rejected.! 

The  military  operations  of  the  Autumn  were  chiefly  confined 
to  the  expedition  against  Canada.  Lord  Dunmore,  it  is  true, 
had  given  several  additional  impulses  to  the  Revolutionary 
spirit  in  Virginia,  by  the  manner  of  his  opposition ;  and  the 
enemy  had  still  farther  exasperated  the  people  of  New  England 
by  burning  the  town  of  Falmouth,  in  the  north-eastern  part  of 
Massachusetts.  Having  timely  notice,  the  people  fled  from  the 
town,  which  was  furiously  bombarded,  and  139  dwelling- 
houses  and  278  warehouses  were  burnt.  The  invasion  of  Ca- 
nada, by  Generals  Schuyler  and  Montgomery,  has  already  been 
incidentally  mentioned.  General  Schuyler  had  issued  a  suitable 
proclamation  to  the  inhabitants  of  Canada,  on  entering  that  ter- 
ritory ;  but  he  was  obliged  by  ill  health  to  relinquish  the  com- 
niand  to  General  Montgomery.  St.  John's  surrendered  on  the 
3d  of  November;  but  while  the  siege  was  pending,  Colonel 
Ethan  Allen,  with  thirty-eight  of  his  Green  Mountain  boys, 
was  captured,  and  sent  to  England  in  irons.!  Allen  deserved 
his  fate,  however,  for  his  rashness  and  disobedience  of  orders. 
Still,  he  was  very  near  capturing  Montreal  with  the  small 
party  he  had  led  in  advance,  as  was  subsequently  admitted  by 
one  of  the  British  officers. 

The  fort  at  Chambloe  fell  into  the  hands  of  Montgomery, 


*  IIulmcB'8  Annals,  Tur.  Register. 


t  IJpni. 


}  Idem. 


1775.] 


CAMPAIGN    IN    CANADA. 


117 


>ys, 

Ived 

lors. 

Vail 

by 

3ry, 


together  with  a  large  quantity  of  military  stores,  which  were 
of  great  use ;  among  them  were  three  tons  of  powder.  Montreal 
was  next  taken  by  tlie  Provincials — General  Carleton  es- 
caping in  a  boat  with  muffled  oars  to  Three  Rivers,  from 
whence  he  hastened  to  Quebec.  Montgomery,  with  his  little 
army,  was  swift  to  follow  him  thither ;  where  his  arrival  had 
been  anticipated  by  Coronel  Arnold,  with  upward  of  700  New 
England  infantry  and  riflemen,  with  whom  he  had  performed  the 
incredible  service  of  traversing  the  unexplored  forest,  from  the 
Kennebec  to  the  mouth  of  the  Chaudiere.  Uniting  the  forces 
of  Arnold  with  his  own,  Montgomery  laid  siege  to  ttuebec  on 
the  1st  of  December.  His  artillery,  however,  was  too  lignt  o 
make  any  impression  upon  its  walls,  and  it  was  at  length  de- 
termined, if  possible,  to  carry  the  town  by  a  combined  assault 
from  two  directions — one  division  to  be  led  by  Montgomery  and 
the  other  by  Arnold.  The  enterprise  was  undertaken  on  the 
31st  of  December,  and  the  year  closed  by  the  repulse  of  both 
divisions  and  the  fall  of  Montgomery. 

The  success  which  had  marked  the  American  arms  in  the 
early  part  of  the  Canadian  campaign,  made  a  strong  impres- 
sion upon  the  Caughnawaga  Indians.  The  Canadians,  gene- 
rally, were  exceedingly  averse  to  engaging  in  the  unnatural 
contest,*  and  were  strongly  inclined  to  favor  the  cause  of  the 
Colonies  ;  and,  notwithstanding  the  descent  of  J3rant  and  the 
Mohawks  to  Montreal,  and  the  solicitations  of  Governor  Carle- 
ton,  the  Caughnawagas  senta  deputation  to  General  Washing- 
ton, at  Cambridge,  as  early  as  the  month  of  August,  avowing 
their  readiness  to  assist  the  Americans  in  the  event  of  an  ex- 
pedition into  Canada.!  This  assurance  was  fuUilled.  In  a 
letter  from  Sir  Guy  Carleion  to  General  Gage,  written  in 
August,  which  was  intercepted,  the  Canadian  Governor  said — 
•'  Many  of  the  Indians  have  gone  over  to  them  (the  Americans), 
"  and  large  numbers  of  the  Canadians  are  with  them."  "  I  had 
"  hopes  of  holding  out  for  this  year,  though  I  seem  abandoned 
"  by  all  the  world,  had  the  savages  remained  firm.  I  cannot 
"  blame  these  poor  people  for  securing  themselves,  as  they  see 
"  multitudes  of  the  enemy  at  hand,  and  no  succour  from  any 
"  part,  though  it  is  now  four  months  since  their  operations 
"  against  us  first  began."t     The  subsequent  reverses  of  the 

♦  Letter  of  Washington  to  Uic  president  of  Congress,  Aug.  4tli,  1775. 
]  Letter  of  Wasliington  to  Gen.  Schuyler.  i  Sparks. 


f 
I 


I      • 


118 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1775. 


Americans,  however,  changed  the  masters  of  those  Indians,  and 
they  were  ere  long  found  warring  in  the  ranks  of  the  Crown. 

But  all  the  Indians  did  not  join  the  British  standard.  Not- 
withstanding that  the  Delawares  had  been  engaged  in  the  Cre- 
sap  war,  the  year  before,  they  refused  the  solicitations  of  the 
British  emissaries  and  the  Senecas  to  take  up  the  hatchet  with 
them  in  this  contest.  A  meeting  of  Indians  was  held  in  Pitts- 
burgh, to  deliberate  upon  the  question,  at  which  a  select  depu- 
tation of  the  Senecas  attended.  Captain  White  Eyes,  a  sensi- 
ble and  spirited  warrior  of  the  Lenape,  boldly  declared  that  he 
would  not  embark  in  a  war,  to  destroy  a  people  born  on  the 
same  soil  with  himself  The  Americans,  he  said,  were  his 
friends  and  brothers,  and  no  nation  should  dictate  to  him  or 
his  tribe  the  course  they  should  pursue.* 

Heckcwelder. 


1775. 


3,  and 
)wn. 

Not- 
3  Cre- 
of  the 
it  with 
Pitts- 
depu- 
sensi- 
hat  he 
on  the 
ive  his 
him  or 


CHAPTER  VI. 


Lord  Dunmorc — Glance  at  the  South — Suspicious  conduct  of  Sir  John  Johnson- 
Conduct  of  the  Tories  in  Tryon  County — Gen.  Schuyler  directed  by  Congress 
to  march  into  that  County  and  disarm  the  Tories — Pruhminary  mission  to  the 
Lower  Mohawks — Message  to  them — Tiieir  displeasure  and  reply — March  of 
Schuyler — Meets  the  Indians  at  Schenectady — Interview  and  specciies — Advance 
of  Schuyler — Letter  to  Sir  John  Johnson — Interview — Negotiations  of  capitula- 
tion— Terms  proposed — Schuyler  advances  to  Caughnawaga — Joined  by  Tryon 
County  Militia — Farther  correspondence  with  Sir  John — Interview  with  the  In- 
dian mediators — Terms  of  surrender  adjusted — Schuyler  marches  to  Johns- 
town— Sir  John,  his  household,  and  the  Ilighlanders,  disarm.  -1 — Troops  scour 
the  country  to  bring  in  the  loyalists — Disappointment  as  to  the  supposed  Tory 
Depot  of  warlike  munitions — Ileturn  of  S  liiiylcr  to  Alb;iny — D  ^solution  of  Con- 
gress— Additional  trouble  with  Sir  Jo!m  -Preparations  for  his  sfiziire — Expedi- 
tion of  Col.  Dayton — Flight  of  the  Baronet  and  his  parti  ans  to  Canada — 'I'heir 
sulTerings — And  subsequent  conduct — How  the  violation  of  liis  parole  was  con- 
sidered. 

The  dawn  of  the  New  Year  was  liolitecl  np  by  • 'ic  confla- 
gratiou  of  Norfolk,  by  order  of  Lord  Umimore,  'i.c  royal  Go- 
vernor of  Virginia.  His  Lordship  had  p^'^vionsly retired "  tli 
his  adherents  to  the  fleet;  and  this  act  o;  V.ndalLsm  was  di- 
rected by  way  of  retahating'  upon  the  Waigs  of  that  borong'h, 
for  having  refused  supphes  to  tlie  Liverpool  mnn  of  war.  The 
people  themselves  destroyed  the  buildings  nearest  the  water, 
in  order  to  deprive  the  ships  even  of  those  sources  of  supply. 
After  cruising  for  a  time  on  the  coast  of  Virginia,  and  being 
every  where  repulsed — some  of  his  ships  having  been  driven  on 
shore,  and  their  crews  captured  and  imprisoned  by  the  Colonists 
— his  Lordship  was  obliged  to  destroy  those  of  his  vessels  which 
were  not  sea-worthy,  and  seek  refuge  himself  in  Florida  and 
the  West  Indies.  Another  in '""dent  adverse  to  the  royal  arm.", 
was  the  defeat,  by  thq  Provi.M.';:,s  under  General  Moore,  of 
General  M'Donald,  (commissioned  by  Governor  Martin,)  in  his 
attempts  to  bring  North  Carolina  to  obedience.  The  battle  re- 
sulting in  this  defeat  was  gallantly  fought  at  Moore's  Creek 
Bridge,  by  Colonel;-  Jaswell  and  Lillington,  commanding 
about  1000  minute  men  and  militia.  A  large  quantity  of  arms 
fell  into  the  liands  of  the  Provincials;  and  the  defeat,  equally 
unexpected  and  decisive,  greatly  depressed  the  spirits  of  tho 
loyalists  in  that  quarter. 

Resuming  the  history  of  the  Mohawk  Valley  :  although  tlie 

.       20 


:t^l 


1i 


'} 


1:  !i 


120 


LIFK    OF    BKAXT. 


[1776. 

in  that 


Autumn  of  the  preceding^  year  had  passed  quietly  owai 
region,  yet  no  small  degree  of  uneasiness  was  created,  early  in 
the  winter,  by  the  suspicious  conduct  of  Sir  John  Johnson  ; 
heightened,  as  will  appear  in  the  sequel,  by  false  representa- 
tions sent  forth  by  a  man  who,  in  the  end,  proved  to  be  an  im- 
postor. Such  were  the  spirit  of  the  times  moreover,  and  the 
jealousies  mutually  entertained,  that  it  i^  more  than  probable 
the  measures  of  Sir  John  were  concerted  in  consequence  of 
apprehensions  honestly  indulged,  and  in  all  likelihood  awaken- 
ed by  the  same  or  a  kindred  imposture.  At  all  events  Sir  John 
was  actively  engaged  m  defensive  preparations,  with  a  view,  as 
it  was  believed,  of  throwing  up  fortifications  around  the  baro- 
nial hall.  His  adherents,  as  we  have  seen,  were  numerous, 
particularly  among  the  Scotch  Highlanders,  by  several  hun- 
dreds of  whom  he  was  surrounded  ;  and  reports  became  rife, 
that,  in  addition  to  these,  the  works  he  was  erecting  were  to  be 
garrisoned  by  three  hundred  Indians,  to  be  let  loose  upon  the 
settlements  as  opportunities  might  occur. 

It  was  undoubtedly  true  that  the  Tories  of  that  region  were 
preparing  actively  to  espouse  the  royal  cause,  and  enlistments 
for  the  King's  service,  it  is  very  likely,  were  secretly  making. 
Information  to  this  effect  was  laid  before  Congress  in  Decem- 
ber. It  was  also  declared,  by  a  niiin  named  Connell,  that  a 
considerable  quantity  of  arms  and  nmimmition,and  other  war- 
like articles,  had  been  collected  and  concealed  l)y  the  Tories  at 
Johnstown,  to  be  used  when  the  proper  moment  for  action  ar- 
rived. The  facts  disclosed  by  Connell  were  supported  by  his 
deposition  ;  whenMipon  a  resolution  was  julo|)ted  by  (\ingress, 
directing  Cieneral  Schuyler  to  be  informed  of  these  circum- 
stances, and  requesting  him  lo  adopt  the  most  sj)eedy  and  effec- 
tual measures  for  securing  the  said  anus  and  military  stores; 
for  disarming  the  loyalists,  {\p|)rehen(ling  their  leaders,  and 
taking  such  ineasiu'cs  in  general  as  might  be  judged  necessary 
to  ensur(Uhe  tran(|uility  of  the  frontier.*  This  resolution  was 
received  by  General  SchuyliT  at  Alliany  ejuly  in  .liuuiary,  and 
no  time   was  lost  in  concerting  measures  for  its  execution. 

♦  Tim  miinof/oWi/  (tullnr$  wan  nppropiiiiti'd  liy  Conjtron*  fur  (tiiii  olijocti  nnd 
llir  Spcciiil  Coiiiinittor  ii.iviriii  titti  hiiI>|>  <  I  in  rlinr^c,  wi>rn  <liri"-t<'(l  lo  connt  llin  ({old 
and  nilviT  lit  tlin  trimNiiry,  and  lorvvurd  llio  Raniw  tu  Ucncrul  Scliii)  lur  under  a  gviurd  t 
—Vidi  «'„m .  Con. 


\ 


1776.] 


EXPEDITION    TO    TUYON    COUNTY. 


121 


It ;  nnd 
lilt)  KdUl 
Iguurill 


General  Scliuyler  having  at  that  time  no  troops  at  his  disposal, 
wap  Midcr  the  necessity  of  communicating  witii  the  sub-com- 
mittee of  safety  of  Albany  County,  for  which  purpose,  in  order 
that  a  knowledge  of  the  business  with  which  he  vas  charged 
might  not  transpire,  he  previously  administered  to  them  the 
oath  of  secrecy.  They  were  at  first  embarrassed  in  devising  a 
pretext  for  the  preparations  it  was  necessary  to  make  for  the 
expedition  ;  but  the  opportune  arrival  of  a  letter  and  an  affida 
vit,  (probably  from  Comicll,)  from  Tryon  County,  containing 
accounts  exactly  suited  to  the  emergency,  aflbrdcd  ample  rea- 
sons for  a  call  upon  the  militia.  CJencral  Schuyler  at  first 
supposed  that  a  force  of  three  hundred  men,  with  the  assistance 
they  would  be  certain  to  recciv ;  from  the  Whigs  of  Tryon 
County,  would  be  amply  sullicient.  It  was  determined,  how- 
ever, in  order  to  produce  a  deeper  effect  upon  the  loyalists 
against  whom  they  were  proceeding,  to  march  with  a  force  of 
seven  hundred  men. 

Nevertheless,  in  order  to  preserve  the  good-will  of  the  Indians 
of  tiic  Lower  Mohawk  Castle,*  and  guard  against  taking  them 
by  surprise  or  giving  them  unnecessary  alarm,  Mr.  Bleecker, 
the  Indian  interpreter,  residing  at  Albany,  was  despatched  to 
the  Castle  on  the  ir>tli,  charged  with  a  belt  and  the  following 
message  to  the  Indians  : — 

"  BiioTiiinis  :  I  am  sent  by  (he  Commissioners  of  the  United 
Colonies,  to  acquaint  you  that  the  brethren  of  Albany  have 
received  information  that  several  persons  in  and  about  Johns 
town  are  busy  in  enlisting  men  to  cut  our  throats,  and  are  ma- 
king other  hostile  pro[)arations  to  assist  in  enslaving  this  coun 
try,  and  (o  prevent  and  stop  uj)  the  road  of  oonuniniication  to 
the  Westward.  Your  Albany  Iholhers,  on  this  alarming  occa- 
sion, have  coUecli'd  their  warriors,  and  are  now  sending  them 
up  the  river  in  order  to  in([uire  into  tiie  truth  of  the  report,  and 
act  thereupon  as  they  may  jutlge  needUiI. 

"  lluoTiiKU«  :  lie  not  alarmed  at  these  pre|>arations  ;  nothing 
is  intended  against  you ;  our  own  safety  and  liberty  impel  us 
to  (his  measure  ;  you  can  rest  ))erfee(ly  satislied  that  wo  will 
invariably  pursue  our  friendly  disposition  towards  you,  and  ex- 

•  Th.t  Moiiuwkn  of  Ihc  Lower  ( 'nRllo,  willi  LitHo  Abruhotn,  had  not  been  drawn 
away  liy  Tlinjoiuluiitjidi  uiid  Oiiy  JuIiiiruii. 


m  >-^.., 

'i    1 

- 

p 


k    . 


r 


12^ 

pect  that 


LIFK    OF    BRANT, 


[1776. 
made  us  at 


.1  will,  agreeable  to  tlic  promises  y 
Albany,  take  no  part  in  the  present  struggle. 

"  BiioTiiEUs  :  We  promised  you  last  Summer  that  Sir  John 
and  his  family  shonld  not  be  molested  while  he  took  no  mea- 
sures against  us.  VVc  are  yet  of  that  mind  ;  and  if  ho  has  acted 
as  an  honest  man,  he  need  not  fear  any  danger. 

"  BuoTiiHus  :  Lest  the  preparations  and  march  into  your 
country  should  alarm  the  Six  Nations,  we  desire  that  you  will 
send  some  of  your  young  men  with  this  speech  to  the  end  of 
tlie  House  of  the  Six  Nations,  that  no  uneasiness  may  take 
place  in  tlunr  minds." 

The'  Indians  were  by  no  means  pleased  with  tlie  proposed 
invasion  of  l!ic  Valley  ;  anticipating,  probably,  an  injurious  ef- 
fect upon  their  own  people,  and  perhaps  injury  to  Sir  John,  to 
M'hom  they  were  sincerely  attached.  After  due  deliberation, 
Mr.  IJleecker  was  sent  back  with  a  belt  containing  the  follow- 
ing reply  to  the  Commissioners,  or,  in  other  words,  to  General 
Schuyler  : — 

"  liuoTiiiius  :  This  belt  we  present  to  the  Commissioners  ol 
the  twelve  Ujiited  Colonies  and  our  Brothers  of  Albany,  and 
desire  them  that  the  troops  that  were  coming  up  should  not 
come  up  so  siKM-diJy  ;  that  perhaps  a  mode  might  be  pointed 
out  to  liavc!  it  s(>(tl('d  in  an  (>asier  maimer  ;  that  perhaps,  in  case 
the  troops  came  up,  it  might  be  a  means  to  stop  up  the  road, 
and  perhaps  create  an  uneasiness  in  their  minds,  as  they  and 
Sir  .lolm  MM>re,  as  it  were,  one  blood  ;  and  that  the  Cieneral 
should  do  all  in  his  power  to  have  it  settled  without  the  troops 
going  up  ;  that  lie  was  a  wi.so  num,  and  should  set  histhougiits 
a  thinking  to  have  it  settled,  by  a])pointing  three  or  four  p-'r- 
.sous  to  treat  with  Sir  .lohn  about  it  ;  that  ihey  would  retain 
the  bolt  sent  by  the  Connnissioners  till  ."^nch  time  as  they  heard 
from  the  Connnissjouers,  and  in  case  the  troo]is  did  not  come, 
tljen  they  woidd  send  the  belt  forward  to  the  other  nations; 
but  if  ll  y  camo  up,  then  they  would  keep  the  sauje  in  their 
luuids;  that  three  of  their  nation  should  immediately  go 
to  Sir  John,  and  desire  him  to  remain  silent  and  be  at  peace; 
and  that  in  cas((  there  were  any  in  .lolmstown  that  wero 
Tories,  they  would  settl(!  them,  and  nud\o  Iheni  remain  peac(u 
uble.  That  all  the  luicnsiness  in  the  minds  of  Su'  John,  and 
tno  others  in  Johnstown,  originalcM  from  accounts  that  they 


177G.] 


INTERVIKW   WITH   THE    INDIANS. 


123 


intcd 
case 
road, 
y  an<l 
in-ral 
rciojis 

por- 

rctaiii 

1(11(1 

onir, 

lions  ; 

their 

y  tl« 


receive  from  people  in  Albany ;  that  they  daily  have  accounts 
from  thence  that  the  New  England  people  are  coming  up  to  de- 
stroy Sir  John  and  his  possessions." 

Accompanyinjr  this  message,  the  Squaws  also  took  the  sub- 
ject in  hand,  and  charged  the  interpreter  with  a  belt  with  the 
following  message  on  their  own  behalf: — 

"  Brothers,  the  Commissioners  of  the  United  Colonies  and 
the  people  of  Albany :  Tliis  belt  we  present  you,  and  hereby 
renew  the  covenant  that  was  made  last  summer  ;  and  we  beg 
that  no  disturbance  shall  be  made  up  here,  and  that  the  said 
covenant  may  not  thereby  be  broken  :  that  in  case  the  troops 
were  to  come  up,  it  might  create  great  uneasiness,  as  they  and 
Sir  John  were  of  one  blood ;  and  that  in  case  Sir  John  was  dis- 
turbed, it  might  touch  their  blood,  and  we  beg  some  other  mode 
may  be  pointed  out  whereby  this  uneasiness  may  b(;  settled." 

General  Schuyler,  however,  did  not  wait  for  the  return  of 
his  messenger  from  the  Indians,  but  proceeded  to  Schenectady 
on  the  10th,  at  the  head  of  a  strong  division  of  militia,  and  ac- 
companied by  (Jeneral  Ten  Hroeck,  Colonel  V^arick,  and  se 
veral  oliier  oflicers.  The  militia  turned  otU  with  great  idacrity, 
notwithstanding  the  severity  of  the  weather  and  the  badness  of 
the  roads.  On  the  evening  of  his  arrival  at  Sehenectady, 
(i(!neral  Schuyler  was  met  by  a  deputation  of  the  Mohawks, 
headed  by  Liltbi  Abraluun,  who,  in  a  very  haughty  tone,*  ad- 
dressed him  as  follows  :— 

"  We  iiUended  to  have  gone  down  to  Albany  in  order  to 
sjieak  to  you ;  but  thank  Ood  that  he  has  given  ua  an  oppor- 
tunity to  meet  you  here,  as  wo  have  .some  mailers  to  connnu* 
nicnte  to  you." 

To  which  (.ieneral  Schuyler  replied  with  corresponding  bre- 
vity:— 

"  I  i\m  very  glad  to  .see  you  here,  and  I  shall  bo  glad  to  hear 
what  th(!  llri)lhers  Jiav«'  to  sny,  as  my  ears  are  alway.s  oj)en  to 
them." 

Whereupon  Abraham  proceeded  to  address  l\w  General  and 
his  associates  as  Ibllows  ;— 


wero 

)ea('('- 

,  and 

they 


♦  (Iciipnil  StlmjitT**  iitliiiiil  rrport,  from  wliu-li  ilnnimrnt  flip  wlitilo  nnrrntivpof 

(hi^  cxix'tlilioii  in  (Iriiwti.     i'tiiH  iIimmiuicmI,  it  i»  lirlii'vcil,  lum  ni'Vcr  yrl  I ii  |hiI>- 

IicIihI  t'litiro,  nnd   hax  only  rcrcntly  Ihtii   dincovprcd  nt  Wii<iliin|;ton,  \\y  lV<t(>r 
Forup,  F.iiq.  wliu  ol>li^int;ly  lavurcd  tlie  niitliur  willi  tlio  uno  uf  it. 


M^ 


■It; 


If 


121 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1776. 


"  BaoTiiERs  ;  You  lately  sent  to  our  place  four  men,  who  ar- 
rived to  us  last  Sunday  nioniiug.*  They  told  us  they  were 
sent  up  to  us  by  you  to  inform  us  of  those  military  preparations 
which  were  making  down  in  this  quarter.  By  them  you  let 
us  know  that  you  thought  it  not  prudent  to  send  armed  men 
amongst  us  without  previously  notifying  us.  Likewise,  Bro- 
thers, your  messengers  informed  us  of  the  reasons  of  your  com- 
ing in  this  manner.  You  inlbrmed  us  that  you  had  heard  that 
there  were  a  number  of  men  embodied  at  Sir  John's,  about 
Johnstown,  You  told  us  likewise,  that  as  soon  as  they  liad 
completed  their  body,  they  intended  to  destroy  the  (  uttlements 
up  and  down  the  river.  You  informed  us  that  you  were  com- 
ing up  to  inquire  into  the  truth  of  the  report,  and  who  it  was 
that  gave  out  commissions,  and  what  were  their  designs.  At 
the  same  time  you  assured  us  that  no  liarm  was  intended 
against  us,  the  Six  Nations,  as  we  had  last  summer  publicly  en- 
gaged that  we  would  tajjc  no  part  against  you  in  your  dispute 
with  the  great  King  over  the  Great  Water. 

"  Bhotiikks  :  You  told  us  that  you  would  come  to  search 
into  the  truth  of  the  report,  and  you  assured  us  also  that  you 
would  not  be  the  first  aggressor,  and  that  it  should  be  our  own 
fault  if  any  blood  was  spilt.  You  told  us  that  you  would  ac- 
quaint the  Lower  Castle  lirst  of  the  design,  that  they  should  send 
up  to  the  Upper  Castle,  and  they  to  the  Oneida,  and  they  to 
Onondaga,  and  so  throni,h  the  whole  Six  Nations. 

"  Biio'riii'.iis  :  We  thanked  your  messengers  for  the  speech 
delivered  to  us,  and  wo  would  consider  of  it  for  some  time  to 
return  them  an  answer  accordingly.  Brothers,  a  small  number 
o(  us  who  lake  care  of  ilie  news  met  in  council  on  (his  occa- 
sion. We  thanked  your  messengers  for  informing  us  first 
of  your  designs.  We  said  we  knew  the  agreement  which  was 
entered  into  with  the  whole  twelve  United  Colonies.  At  that 
mei^ting  you  remembtir  it  was  agreed  to  remove  all  obstacles 
out  of  the  way  of  the  path  of  peace,  to  keep  it  so  that  wo  might 
pass  and  repass  without  bring  innioyed. 

"  BiioriiKiis  :  you  told  lis  that  you  came  to  iiKpiiro  into  tho 

♦  Tlio  Molmw k  iliid'  hwiih  licro  to  nfcr  to  on  rmlmimy  to  thoir  cbMIo  n  fnw 
iliiys  |ir('vii)u»  Id  tliut  piTlornn'tl  liy  Mr,  lUocrkpr,  not  inpntioiuHl  by  Clcnprnl  Sdiuy- 
l)-r.  Or,  poilia(iii,  a  wruugdulu  wui  j(ivi'ii  tu  tliu  muaiiugti  tranimiUwl  by  the  inter- 
prctur. 


■I 


11. 


,  II 


[1776. 

1,  who  ar- 
hey  were 
parations 
n  you  let 
Tied  men 
'ise,  Bro- 
'our  com- 
eard  that 
I's,  about 
they  had 
ttlemeiits 
ere  com- 
10  it  was 
gns.  At 
intended 
lUc.Iy  en- 
r  dispute 

o  searcli 
that  you 
our  own 
ould  ac- 
ild  send 
they  to 

!  speech 
time  to 
nuniher 
is  ocea- 
ns first 
eh  was 
At  that 
)stnclt;s 
Mii^ht 

nto  (hu 

I  Sfhtiy. 
Ilio  inter- 


1776.] 


SPEECH    OF    LITTLE    ABRAHAM. 


125 


truth  of  the  report,  which  might  be  done  by  4  or  6  without 
any  danger  in  making  the  inquiry.  We  proposed  your  send- 
ing up  six  persons  to  inquire  into  the  truth  of  this  matter,  as  it 
would  be  a  shame  to  interrupt  them,  as  no  person  would  be  so 
mean  to  give  them  any  obstruction.  As  for  seudnig  your  belt 
forward,  we  thought  to  retain  it  until  we  had  heard  whether 
our  proposal  had  been  accepted  or  no.  And  we  desire  that  you 
would  consider  of  this  matter,  and  keep  your  troops  at  lionio, 
and  let  us  know  your  mind  ;  and  if,  after  considering  of  our  pro- 
posals, you  do  not  agree  to  them,  that  you  will  then  let  us  know 
what  you  intend  io  do.  They  likewise  sent  word  to  you  that 
when  they  had  heard  from  you,  whether  you  accepted  of  our 
proposals,  we  would  then  do  as  you  desire  in  sending  up 
the  news. 

"Brothers:  We  expected  an  answer  to  our  proposals; 
but  none  arrived  until  we  were  informed  by  a  wonuni  who 
returned  from  Albany,  that  those  preparations  M'^ere  actually 
making,  and  that  troops  were  actually  marching  in  the  country. 
We  then.  Brothers,  took  the  matter  into  consideration,  and  de- 
termined it  was  best  for  a  party  to  meet  you,  and  you  see  us 
this  day,  Brothers,  arrived.  We  come.  Brothers,  to  beg  of  you 
that  you  take  good  care  and  prudence  of  what  you  arc  going 
abont.  We  beg  of  you,  Brothers,  to  remember  the  engagement 
which  was  made  with  the  twelve  United  Ciilonies  at  our  inter- 
view last  summer,  as  we  then  engaged  to  open  the  path  of 
peace,  and  to  keep  it  undefiled  from  blood.  At  the  same  time 
something  of  a  different  nature  made  its  appearance.  You  as- 
sured us,  Brothers,  that  if  any  were  found  in  our  neighborhood 
inimical  to  us,  you  would  treat  them  as  enemies.  The 
Six  Nations  then  supposed  that  t  lo  son  of  8ir  William  was 
pointed  at  l)y  that  e,\j)ression.  Wo  then  desired  particularly 
that  ho  might  not  bo  injured,  as  it  was  not  in  his  power  to  in- 
jure the  catise  ;  and  that  therefore  he  might  not  bo  molested. 
The  Six  Nations  then  said  they  would  not  concern  themselves 
with  yotir  operatidus  in  other  parts,  but  ])artinilarly  desired  that 
this  path  njiglit  be  free  from  blood.  And  now.  Brothers,  wo 
repeat  it  again  ;  we  beg  of  you  to  takego(»d  care  and  not  to  spill 
any  blood  in  this  path,  and  the  more  especially,  Brothers,  as  it 
is  but  of  this  (lay  that  the  Six  Nations  had  so  agreeable  an  in- 
terview with  the  (.'olonies,  and  otir  chiefs  are  now  lumting  in 


1 


]   r 


Ji    ! 

v; 


ii^P 


>    I    r 


l|V 


126 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[177C. 


the  woods,  and  not  dreaming  that  there  is  any  prospect  that 
this  path  is  or  will  be  defiled  with  blood. 

"  We  informed  you,  Brothers,  that  we  had  heard  of  a  woman, 
tliat  you  were  advancing,  and  that  you  had  cannon.  We  then 
took  it  into  consideration.  We  thought  it  strange  that  cannon 
should  be  brought  into  the  country,  as  the  twelve  United  Colo- 
nies had  so  lately  opened  the  path  of  peace.  As  you  will  re- 
member that  this  path  was  opened  last  Spring,  and  the  Six  Na- 
tions agreed  to  keep  it  open.  We  theh  thought  what  could  in- 
fluence the  twelve  United  Colonies  to  open  this  path,  and  from 
the  present  appearance  it  is  as  if  with  a  design  that  the  cannon 
should  pass  free  from  all  obstruction. 

"  I3uo  riiKus,  ATTKNO  !  It  was  your  request,  and  a  matter 
agreed  upon  by  the  twelve  United  Colonies,  that  we  should 
mind  nothing  but  peace  ;  therefore.  Brothers,  as  we  mean  to 
observe  that  agreement,  we  have  expressed  ourselves  as  above, 
and  as  Brothers  :  we  mind  nothing  but  peace.  We  look  upon 
ourselves  as  mediators  between  the  two  parties  ;  therefore. 
Brothers,  as  your  messengers  declared  that  you  would  not  be 
the  aggressors,  we  informed  Sir  John  of  this,  and  earnestly 
begged  of  him  not  to  be  the  aggressor,  or  the  means  of  spilling 
blood  ;  and  at  the  same  time  assured  him,  that  if  we  found  that 
he  should  be  the  aggressor,  we  would  not  pay  any  farther  at- 
tention to  him ;  and  likewise  told  him,  that  if  our  Brothers  of 
the  United  Colonies  were  the  aggressors,  we  should  treat  them 
in  the  same  manner.  This  is  what  wc  told  Sir  John,  as  we 
look  upon  ourselves  to  be  the  mediators  between  both  parties, 
and,  as  we  have  said  before,  desired  him  not  to  be  the  aggressor. 
To  wliieh  Sir  John  roi)lied,  that  we  knew  his  disposition  very 
well,  and  that  he  had  no  mind  to  be  the  aggressor.  He  assured 
us  that  he  would  not  be  the  aggressor,  but  if  the  people  came 
up  to  take  away  his  lif(>,  he  would  do  as  well  as  he  could,  as 
the  law  of  nature  justified  every  person  to  stand  in  his  own 
defence. 

"According  to  the  news  wo  have  heard,  it  is  as  though  Sir 
John  would  shut  up  the  path  of  peace  in  that  quarter  ;  but  it 
s  impossible  h<;  should  do  it,  as  he  had  but  a  mere  handful  of 
friends  ;  but,  Brothers,  if  this  company,  who  now  are  passing 
by,  should  go  up,  and  any  thing  bad  should  happen,  wc  shall 
look  on  you  as  shutting  up  the  path. 


/ 


^. 


177G.] 


SrEECII    OF    LITTLE    ABItAHAM. 


127 


igli  Sir 

but  it 

Idful  of 


"  It  has  been  represcnte  J  to  you,  Brothers,  that  it  seems  that 
Sir  John  is  making  miliiary  preparations,  and  that  lie  is  makinj^ 
a  fort  round  his  house  ;  but,  Brotliers,  as  we  Uve  so  near  him, 
wo  should  certainly  know  it  if  any  thinq^  of  that  nature 
should  be  done,  especially  as  we  go  there  so  frequently  on  ac- 
count of  our  father,  the  minister,  who  sometimes  pcrlbrms  di- 
vme  service  at  that  place.  We  have  never  seen  any  hostile 
proj^aralions  made  there  ;  there  is  no  cannon,  or  any  thing  of 
that  kind,  and  all  tilings  remain  in  the  same  situation  it  was  in 
the  lif 'time  of  Sir  AVilliam. 

"CiioTiiKKs:  A\'e  would  not  conceal  anything  from  you. 
It  would  not  be  right  to  use  dec  it,  neiihcr  do  we  mean  to  dn 
it.  The  minds  of  our  counsellors  are  very  much  grieved  ;  and 
asrnrrioved  at  that  part  of  the  disposition  of  those  whom  wc  maj'' 
call  our  warriors  ;  there  are  some  among  us  af  difl'erent  minds, 
as  there  are  among  you,  Brothers.  Our  counsellors,  remem- 
bering the  covenant  we  last  Sunnner  made  with  our  Brethren, 
the  Twelve  Colonies,  hav(^  all  along  strongly  urged  our  war- 
riors to  peace,  and  have  checked  them  when  a  contrary  dispo- 
sition appeared.  Our  minds  arc  very  much  agijrieved  to  find 
any  of  our  warriors  of  dilferent  sentiment.  AVe  have  hitherto 
been  able  to  restrain  them,  and  hope  still  to  be  able  to  do  it,  for 
matters  are  not  now  carried  to  extremity  ;  but  if  they  are,  our 
warriors  will  not  be  restrained,  because  they  will  think  them- 
selves deceived  if  this  military  force  comes  into  the  country. 

"We  have  declared  to  you,  Brothers,  that  wc  woidd  not  de- 
ceive, and  that  wo  mean  to  declare  our  minds  to  you  openly 
and  Ireely.  We,  the  sachems,  have  all  along  inculcated  to  Iho 
warriors  sentinieiUs  of  ]K':;v-e,  and  they  have  hitherto  been 
obedient  to  us,  though  there  have  been  freijuent  rnmoiu's  that 
tlu'y  should  be  disturbed  ;  yet  W(^  have  hitherto  been  able  to 
calm  their  minds.  But  now.  Brothers,  so  large  a  parly  coming, 
alarms  the  minds  of  our  warriors.  They  are  determined,  Bro- 
thers, to  go  and  be  present  at  your  interview  with  Sir  John, 
and  di'terniined  to  see  and  hear  every  thing  that  should  Ix; 
there  transacted  ;  and  if  it  shall  then  appear  (hat  this  party  shall 
])ush  matters  to  extremes,  we  then  cannot  be  accountable  (()r 
any  thing  that  may  hap])en.  But  as  for  us,  Brothers,  the 
coiuisellors  are  fully  determined  ever  to  p(>rscverein  the  path  of 
peace. 

21 


■;arii;' 


'1     ;HI 


u 


I) ;, 


I 


i      !■ 


!'■!.  ^ 


Li 


r  ' 


!    ',   1 


4, 


128 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1776. 


{■     It 


I 


;i 


It" 


"  Brothers,  attend  !  Though  I  have  finished  what  I  had 
purposed  to  say,  yet  I  will  add  one  thing  more.  When  the 
news  of  your  approach  arrived  at  our  town,  it  caused  ^reat 
confusion ;  some  were  ready  to  take  to  their  arms,  observing 
that  those  reports  respecting  the  unfriendly  disposition  of  the 
Colonies  were  now  verified.  I  begged  of  them,  Brothers,  to 
possess  their  minds  in  peace  for  a  few  days.  I  told  them  that 
I  myself  would  go  to  Albany,  and  inquire  into  the  truth  of  the 
matter  ;  I  was  so  conscious  of  my  own  innocency,  that  no  hos- 
tile appearance  could  deter  me,  however  formidable.  I  there- 
fore desired  them  to  sit  still  until  my  return,  w"  h  might  be  in 
two  days  if  I  went  to  Albany.  This,  Brothers,  is  the  present 
situation  of  our  people.  They  are  waiting  to  see  what  news  I 
bring." 

"  Brothers  :  When  1  made  this  request  to  the  warriors  that 
tlicy  should  sit  still  till  my  return,  they  told  me  that  they 
would,  which  they  are  now  in  expectation  of,  and  will  do  no- 
tiiing  till  I  get  back.  But,  Brothers,  after  my  return  I  will  re- 
peat to  them  the  speech  you  will  now  make  to  me,  and  if  any 
of  our  people  should  still  persist  to  be  present  at  your  inter 
view  with  Sir  John,  we  hope,  Brethren,  you  will  not  think 
hard  of  us  as  counsellors,  as  it  is  not  in  our  power  to  rule  them 
as  we  please.  If  they  should  go,  and  any  thing  evil  should 
happen,  ICC  beg  to  know,  Brothers,  what  treatment  we  may 
expect  who  remain  at  home  in  peace. 

"  Brothers  :  This  is  all  wo  have  to  say.  This  is  the  bu- 
siness which  has  brought  us  down,  and  we  now  expect  an  an- 
swer to  carry  home  to  our  people." 

To  which  General  Schuyltr  delivered  the  following  answer: 

*'  Brothers  of  the  Mohawk  Nation  :  We,  the  Commis- 
sioners uppointed  by  the  Congress,  and  your  Brothers  of  Albany 
juid  Schenectady,  have  paid  great  attention  to  the  speech  you 
have  delivered  us.  We  now  desire  you  to  open  your  cars,  and 
attentively  listen  to  what  we  have  to  say  in  answer. 

"Brothers:  It  pleased  us  to  hear  you  declare  that  you 
would  speak  your  minds  freely.  We  assure  you  that  we  shall 
do  the  same,  and  hide  nothing  from  you  of  what  is  in  our 
thoughts. 

"  BnoTHERR  ;  We  were  in  hopes  tliat  the  message  which  we 
Bent  you  by  Mr.  Bleecker  would  have  eR.sed  your  minds,  and 


/ 


177C.] 


CEN.  Schuyler's  reply. 


129 


in  our 

icli  wo 
s,  nnd 


have  convinced  you  that  no  hostile  intentions  existed  against 
you  or  any  other  Indians ;  for  if  they  had,  we  would  not  have 
sent  you  tliat  message,  neither  would  we  have  supplied  you 
with  powder,  as  we  did  last  Summer  and  again  the  other  day. 

"  Brothers  :  We  are  extremely  sorry  that  you  have  not 
complied  with  our  request,  to  send  the  speech  which  we  sent 
you  by  Mr.  Bleecker,  to  the  Six  Nations  in  the  manner  which 
we  required. 

"  BiioTHERs  :  You  told  us  that  five  or  six  men  would  have 
been  sufficient  to  go  to  Johnstown  and  inquire  what  was  trans- 
acting there,  and  that  these  people  would  be  in  no  danger,  as 
it  would  be  a  shame  to  interrupt  them.  We  acknowledge. 
Brothers,  that  it  would  have  been  .1  shame  if  we  had  sent  them 
and  they  had  been  interrupted ;  but  we  have  full  proofs  that 
many  people  in  Johnstown,  and  the  neighbourhood  thereof, 
have  for  a  considerable  time  past  made  preparations  to  carry 
into  execution  the  wicked  designs  of  the  King's  evil  coun- 
sellors. 

Broi'hers  :  It  is  very  true  that  last  Summer  the  United 
Colonies  promised  that  the  path  to  the  Indian  country  should 
be  kept  open.  They  again  repeat  that  promise ;  and  although 
it  is  by  the  special  order  of  Congress  that  this  body  of  troops 
are  now  marching  up,  yet  it  is  not  to  shut  the  path,  but  to  keep 
it  open,  and  to  prevent  the  people  in  and  about  Johnstown  from 
cuttinsr  off  the  communication  between  us  and  our  brethren  of 
the  Six  Nations,  and  our  other  brethren  living  up  the  river. 

"  Brothers  :  Although  we  have  before  observed  that  the 
people  living  in  and  about  Johnstown  are  making  hostile  pre- 
parations against  us,  yet  we  will  not  shed  a  drop  of  their  blood 
unless  they  refuse  to  come  to  an  agreement  by  which  we  may 
be  safe,  or  unless  they  oppose  us  with  arms.  We  do  not  mean 
that  any  of  our  warriors  should  set  their  foot  on  any  of  the 
lands  you  possess,  or  that  of  the  Six  Nations,  unless  our  ene- 
mies should  lake  shelter  there ;  for  those  we  are  resolved  to 
follow  wherever  they  go.  We  again  repeat,  that  we  have  no 
(piiirrcl  with  you,  and  we  do  expect  that  you  will  not  interfere 
in  this  family  contest,  but  stand  by  as  indilferent  spectators, 
agreeable  to  the  engagement  of  the  Six  Nations  made  to  us  last 
Summer  at  their  own  request. 

"  BuoTiiEUs :  We  assured  you  lost  Summer,  that  as  wo  had 


1^^ 


\i 


H* 


J     1 

r 


130 


LITE    OF    nilAXT. 


[1776. 


no  quarrel  with  any  Indians,  we  would  not  touch  a  hair  of  their 
heads;  yet  when  our  warriors  were  at  St.  Johns,  they  were  at- 
tacked by  Indians.  Two  of  your  tribe,  and  some  others,  were 
killed.  You  have  never  blamed  us  for  it,  because  you  well 
knew  that  our  lives  are  dear  to  us  ;  we  have  a  right  to  kill  any 
man  who  attempts  to  kill  us.  You  ought,  therefore,  not  to  be 
surprised  if  we  take  every  precaution  to  prevent  being  destroyed 
by  the  friends  of  the  King's  evil  counsellors. 

"  IJiioTiTKUs  :  In  a  little  time  we  may  be  called  upon  to  go 
and  fight  against  our  enemies  to  the  eastward,  who  are  em- 
ployed by  the  King's  evil  counsellors  ;  and  can  you  think  it 
prudent  that  we  should  leave  a  set  of  people  who  are  our  ene- 
mies, in  any  part  of  the  country,  in  such  a  situation  as  to  be 
able  to  destroy  our  wives  and  children,  and  burn  our  houses 
in  our  absence  J  Would  you  leave  your  wives  and  children  in 
such  a  situation?  The  wisdom  by  which  you  have  conducted 
your  affairs  convinced  us  that  you  would  not;  and  yet  so  cau- 
tious are  we  that  no  blood  may  be  shed,  that  we  shall  send  a 
letter  to  Sir  .John,  inviting  him  to  meet  us  on  the  road  between 
this  place  and  his  house,  which  if  he  does,  we  make  no  doubt 
but  every  thing  will  bo  settled  in  an  amicable  manner  ;  and  that 
he  may  be  under  no  apprehensions,  we  do  now  assure  you  that 
if  we  do  not  come  to  an  agreement,  he  will  be  permitted  safely 
to  return  to  his  own  house. 

"Bi{()Tnr:Rs  :  We  thank  you  that  you  have  concealed  no- 
thing from  us,  and  we  assure  you  that  we  scorn  deceit  as  much 
ns  you  do  ;  and  therefore  we  shall  now  speak  our  minds  freely 
on  what  you  have  said  respecting  the  conduct  which  your 
^varriors  mean  to  hold.  We  have  no  objection,  nay,  we  wish 
that  you  and  they  should  be]»resent,  to  hear  what  we  shall  pro- 
pose to  Sir  .Tohn  and  the  people  in  and  about  .Tohnstown  who 
are  our  enemies  ;  but  we  beg  of  you  to  tell  your  warriors,  that 
although  wo  have  no  quarrel  with  them,  yet  if  we  should  bo 
under  the  disagreeable  necessity  ol  fighting  with  our  enemies, 
and  your  warriors  should  join  them  and  light  against  us,  that 
we  will  do  as  we  did  at  St.  Johns,  repel  force  by  forco. 

"HiioTiiKUs:  You  have' asked  us,  if  your  warricns  should 
go  and  if  any  thing  evil  should  happen,  what  treatment  you 
may  expect  who  remain  at  home  in  peace? 

"  JJrioTiii!:Rs  :  In  the  treaty  held  at  Albany  last  Summer,  you 


i 


Hi)  I 


um] 


r.F.X.    SCHUYLER'S    REPLY. 


131 


lis,  lliut 


Islioulil 
|it  you 

:r,  you 


and  your  warriors  were  present,  and  you  and  they  jointly 
promised  to  remain  neuter  and  not  to  interfere  in  this  quarreh 
Should  your  warriors,  therefore,  now  take  up  arms  against  us, 
we  must  consider  it  as  a  breach  of  the  treaty  so  far  as  it  re- 
spects the  lower  Mohawk  Castle  ;  of  which  breach  we  shall 
C(raiplain  to  our  Brethren,  the  other  nations,  and  at  the  same 
time  lay  the  matter  before  our  great  council  at  Philadelphia, 
wliose  determination  thereupon  will  be  our  future  guide. 

"  BiioTiiERS  :  Wc  are  surprised  that  the  least  doubt  should 
roMiain  on  your  minds  with  respect  to  our  friendly  intentioiir; 
towards  you,  after  the  many  ii  fauces  we  have  given  you  of 
our  love  and  friendship;  hut  we  must  impute  it  to  the  wicked 
insinuations  of  our  mutual  enemies,  who  wish  for  nothing  so 
much  as  to  see  the  ancient  covenant  which  has  so  long  subsist- 
ed  between  us  broken. 

"  IJiiormnis  :  You  have  observed  that  you  would  pay  no 
regard  to  that  party  that  should  be  the  first  aggressor.  Wo 
cannot  be  the  aggressors  ;  for  if  our  enemies  in  and  about 
.Tohnstown  had  had  noevil  intentions  against  us,  wc  should  never 
have  even  come  thus  far  with  an  army.  Whoever  takes  up  arms 
airainst  another,  although  he  has  not  yet  struck, must  be  consider- 
ed as  the  aggressor,  and  not  he  who  tries  to  prevent  the  blow. 

"  liiioriiKUH  :  We  have  now  freely  and  fully  disclosed  to  you 
our  minds.  Wc  hope  you  will  remember  what  we  have  said, 
and  repeat  it  to  your  Brothers,  counsellors,  and  warriors  ;  and, 
l(!st  you  should  not  be  able  to  recollect  every  part  of  this 
speech,  you  mny  have  your  Broihers  Ka-ragh-qua-dirhon,  and 
Ti-ze-de-ron-de-ron,  [Deane  ;uid  Bleecker,]  interpreters,  to  at- 
tend you  if  it  be  ogreeable  to  you. 

'•  BuoTiiKiis  :  Your  '  imen  have  sent  us  a  belt.  We  beg 
you  to  assure  them  of  vnr  regard,  and  to  entreat  ihem  to  pre- 
vent your  warriors  I'rom  doing  any  thing  that  would  have  the 
lo:ist  tendency  to  incur  our  res(>ntment,  or  interrupt  that  har- 
mony which  we  wish  may  subsist  to  the  end  of  time." 

To  (his  the  Indians  made  the  following  brief  reply  : — 

*' Bitormui  .ScnuvLKii  the  Oreat  Man,  attend!  We 
have  this  evcMiing  heard  what  y<>ii  have  to  say,  and  w(;  are  glad 
of  it,  and  thank  you  for  it. 

"  I'ivery  thing  (hat  has  boon  said  to  us,  Brother,  has  been 
perfectly  agreeable  to  us. 


132 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1776. 


,1 1  i '' ': 


u 


. 


I . 


'!'!■,    . 


;f: 


"IsIiiiU  not  attempt,  Brother,  to  make  -  vaticular  reply  to 
every  thing  that  !ias  been  said  to  us.  Ind  >  ri.  it  vorJd  not  be 
proper  at  this  time. 

"  We  are  very  jrhid,  Brother,  that  you  have  determined  to 
write  to  Sir  John,  requesting  an  interview  with  him  in  hopes  of 
an  amicable  ag-roement. 

"  BiioTiiEii :  You  mention  that  it  would  be  agreeable  to  you 
that  the  warriors  and  counsellors,  or  sachems,  should  attend. 

"  BuoTiiiiR :  We,  the  sachems,  will  attend,  though  we  should 
do  it  at  the  risk  of  our  lives. 

"  Brother  :  We  should  be  glad  if  you  would  inform  us  of 
the  time  and  place  of  your  interview  with  Sir  John.  You 
likewise  told  us,  that  if  it  was  agreeable  to  us,  that  your  inter- 
preters should  attend  to  recapitulate  the  speech  you  have  made, 
which  likewise  is  agreeable  to  us  ;  and  we  desire  that  they  may 
go  with  us,  for  by  that  means  all  mistakes  may  be  prevented. 

"  Brother  :  You  may  depend  on  it  that  we  will  use  our 
utmost  influence  with  our  warriors  to  calm  their  minds.  You 
may  depend  on  it,  likewise,  that  our  sisters  will  use  their  ut- 
most influence  for  the  same  purpose." 

General  Schuyler  assured  them  again  of  his  pacific  inten- 
tions, and  that  nothing  unpleasant  should  happen  to  them.  He 
also  informed  fliem,  that  if  they  desired  to  attend  tlic  expedition 
to  .Tolinstown,  or  to  be  present  at  the  intended  interview  with 
Sir  .Tohn,  as  mediators,  they  should  be  protected  in  that  charac- 
ter. With  this  understanding  they  took  their  departure  the 
same  night.  A  letter,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy,  was 
at  the  same  time  despatched  to  Sir  John  Johnson  : — 

Gknkral  Schuyler  to  Sir  John  Jo:  nson. 

"SCHENECTADV,  Jail.  IG,  1776. 

"Sir, 
"  Information  having  been  received  that  designs  of  the  most 
dangerous  tendency  to  the  rights,  liberties,  property,  and  even 
lives  of  those  of  his  Majesty's  faithful  subjects  in  America  who 
are  opposed  to  the  unconstitutional  measures  of  his  ministry, 
have  been  formed  in  a  part  of  the  County  of  Tryon,  I  am  or- 
dered to  march  a  body  of  men  into  that  County,  to  carry  into 
execution  certain  resolutions  of  my  superiors,  and  to  contravene 
those  dangerous  designs. 


^ 


I 


-"mmmtmm 


[1776. 


1776.] 


CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    SIR   JOHN. 


133 


"  Influenced,  Sir,  by  motives  of  humanity,  I  wish  to  comply 
with  my  orders  in  a  manner  the  most  peaceable,  that  no  blood 
may  be  shed.  I  therefore  request  tiiat  you  Avill  please  to  meet 
me  to-morrow,  at  any  place  on  my  way  to  Johnstown,  to  which 
I  propose  then  to  march.  For  which  purpose  I  do  hereby  give 
vou  my  word  of  honour,  that  you,  and  such  persons  as  you 
may  choose  should  attend  you,  shall  pass  safe  and  unmolested 
to  the  place  where  you  may  meet  me,  and  from  thence  back  to 
the  place  of  your  abode. 

"  Rutgers  Bleecker  and  Henry  Glen,  Esqrs.  are  the  bearers 
hereof  gentlemen  who  are  entitled  to  your  best  attention,  which 
I  dare  say  they  will  experience,  and  by  whom  I  expect  you 
will  favour  me  with  an  answer  to  this  letter. 

"You  will  please  to  assure  Lady  Johnson,  that  whatever 
may  be  the  result  of  what  is  now  in  agitation,  she  may  rest 
perfectly  satisfied  that  no  indignity  will  be  offered  her. 

"  I  am,  Sir, 
"  7h  "  Your  humble  Servant. 

"  Sir  John  JohnsoHf  Baronet,''^  "  Pii.  Schuyler." 


General  Schuyler  resumed  his  march  on  the  morning  of  the 
1 7th — his  forces  constantly  increasing,  until  before  nightfall 
they  numbered  upward  of  three  thousand.  H.iving  proceeded 
about  sixteen  miles  from  Schenectady,  the  expedition  was  met 
by  Sir  John,  attended  by  scA'^eral  of  his  leading  friends  among 
the  Scotchmen,  and  two  or  three  others.  The  result  of  the  in- 
terview was  the  proffer,  by  General  Schuyler,  of  the  following 
terms  to  Sir  John  and  his  retainers : — 

"  Terms  offered  by  the  ITonourable  Philip  Schuyler,  Esq., 
Major-general  in  the  army  of  the  thirteen  United  Colonies,  and 
commanding  in  the  New- York  department,  to  Sir  John  John- 
son, Baronet,  and  all  such  other  persons  in  the  County  of  Try- 
on  as  have  evinced  their  intentions  of  supporting  his  Majesty's 
ministry,  to  carry  into  execution  the  unconstitutional  measures 
of  which  the  Americans  so  justly  complain,  and  to  prevent 
which  they  have  been  driven  to  the  dreadful  necessity  of  having 
recourse  to  arms. 

"  First :  Tliat  Sir  John  Johnson  shall,  upon  his  word  of 
honour,  immediately  deliver  up  all  cannon,  arms,  and  other 
military  stores,  of  wimt  kind  soever,  which  may  be  in  his  own 


Ih 


.  I 


w 

I 

1 

t    1  i 

.'     n  I    ill 


ii' 


'-,f* 


134 


LIFE    OF   nUANT. 


[177G. 


possession,  or  which  he  Ijns  caused  to  be  deUvcred  into  the 
possession  of  any  persons  whatsoever,  either  directly  or  indi- 
rectly, or  that  to  his  knowledge  may  be  concealed  in  any  part 
of  the  said  County  :  That  lie  shal'  distinguish  all  such  mili- 
tary stores  of  what  kind  soever  as  belong  to  tlie  Crown,  or 
were  lurnis'ied  with  the  design  of  arming  the  Indians  or  the 
inhabitants  of  Tryon  County,  from  those  which  maybe  private 
property,  in  order  that  a  proper  inventory  may  be  tiiken  of  the 
last  articles,  that  the  same  may  be  restored,  or  the  value  of 
thein  refunded,  when  this  nnli.ippy  contest  shall  be  over. 

"Secondly:  (General  Sehuyler,  out  of  personal  respect  for 
Sir  .lohn,  and  from  a  regard  to  his  rank,  cons(Mits  that  Sir  John 
shall  retain  (i)!'  his  own  use  a  eom])lete  set  of  armor,  and  as 
much  powder  as  may  be  sullici'iU  liir  his  domestit;  purposes. 

'•'J'hirdly:  'J'hat  Sir  John  .lolmson  shall  remtiin  upon  his 
parole  of  honour  in  any  part  of  Tryon  Comity  which  he  may 
choose,  to  th(!  eastward  of  the  district  of  unless  it 

should  appear  necessary  to  the  Ihuiourable  the  Continental 
Congress  to  remove  him  to  some  other  part  of  this,  or  any 
other  Colony;  in  which  ease  he  is  immediately  to  comply  with 
such  orders  as  they  may  think  proper  to  givvT  for  that  purpose. 

•'Fourthly  :  That  the  Scotch  inhabitants  of  the  said  County 
shall,  without  any  kind  of  exception,  immediately  deliver  up 
all  arms  in  their  possession,  oi'  what  kind  soever  they  may  be ; 
and  that  they  shall  each  solemnly  promise  that  they  will  not  at 
any  tiuK!  hereafter,  (hiring  the  continuance  of  this  unhappy 
coiiU'st,  take  up  arms  without  the  jiermis.si()n  of  the  (."ontinent- 
nl  Congress,  or  of  their  general  ollicers  ; — and  lor  the  mor« 
liiithful  performanct!  ol' this  article,  the  (Jencral  insists  that  they 
shall  immediately  deliver  up  to  him  si.K  hostages  of  his  own 
nomination. 

'•{•'iflhly:  'I'hal  sneli  ol  the  otIi(«r  inhabitants  of  Tryon 
County  as  have  avowed  themselves  aversi;  to  the  measures  (y( 
the  United  ("Colonies,  shall  also  deliver  uj)  tin  ir  arms,  of  what 
kind  soever  Hiey  may  be,  and  enter  into  the  likt;  engagement 
as  is  stipulated  in  the  preceding  articb^,  both  with  respect  to 
their  future  conduct  and  tht;  number  of  hostages. 

•'Sixthly  :  That  nil  bliud<ets,  strouds,  and  other  Indian  artl- 
rlf's  belongmg  to  the  Crown,  and  intended  as  presents  to  the 
liidiuns,  shall  bo  duhverud  up  lu  u  couiuussury  appointed  by 


[1776. 


ted  by 


f 


• 


1776.] 


NKGOTIATIOX.S    WITH    SIR    JOHN. 


135 


General  Schuyler,  in  the  presence  of  three  or  more  of  the  Mo- 
hawk chiefs,  in  order  that  the  same  may  be  dispensed  amongst 
tjie  Indians,  for  the  purpose  of  cementing  the  ancient  friendship 
between  them  and  their  brethren  of  the  United  Coionieo!,  for 
which  sole  purpose  they  ought  to  have  been  furnished. 

"  .Seventhly ;  If  Sir  John  .Johnson,  and  the  people  referred  to 
in  the  aforegoing  articles,  shall  justly  abide  by,  and  perform 
what  is  thereby  required  of  them,  the  General,  in  behalf  of  the 
Continental  Congress,  doth  promise  and  engage,  that  neither 
Sir  John  Johnson  nor  any  of  those  people  shall  bo  molested  by 
any  of  the  other  inhabitants  of  the  said  County,  or  by  any  of 
tile  inhabitants  of  the  thirteen  United  Colonies  ;  but  that,  o\\  {\w 
contrary,  they  will  le  protected  in  the  quiet  and  jieacoable  en- 
joyment of  their  property; — the  sole  intent  of  this  treaty  being 
to  [)revent  the  horrid  elfects  of  a  civil  and  intestine  war  betwixt 
those  who  ought  to  bo  brethren.  That  all  the  arms  wliidi 
shall  be  delivered  up  in  conse([uencc  of  the  preceding  articles 
shall  be  valued  by  sworn  appraisers,  That  if  the  Continental 
Congress  should  iiave  occasion  for  them,  they  may  In;  taken. 
If  not,  they  will  be  delivered  to  the  respective  proprietors  when 
thi.s  unhappy  contest  shall  be  at  an  end." 

In  the  course  of  the  interview.  Sir  John  assured  General 
Schuyler  that  the  Indians  would  su|)port  him,  and  that  nnmb(>rs 
of  them  were  already  at  .lohnson  Hall  for  that  pinposc.  He 
was  assured,  in  return,  that  though  averse  to  the  shedding  of 
blood,  if  the  prollered  terms  were  not  acceded  to,  force  would 
bo  opposed  to  force  without  distinction  of  per.sons,  and  that  the 
consecjiieiioes  of  resistance  would  be  of  tlie  most  serioiis  descrip- 
tion. In  conclusion,  Sir  John  begged  until  the;  evening  of  the 
Ibllowing  day  to  consider  of  th((  propositions,  which  re(piest 
was  granted,  and  the  Haronel  toi>k  his  leave. 

In  about  an  hour  al\er  his  departure,  Abraham,  and  another 
of  the  Mohawks,  made  their  appeariuice  at  (Jeneral  Si'huyler'.s 
(|uarlers.  On  b(>iug  informed  of  what  Sir  Jolm  had  said  ro- 
.specting  the  Indians  being  in  amis  at  tbe  Hall  for  his  defence, 
Abraham  |)ronouuced  the  story  untrue,  and  rept>ated  his  assur- 
ances that  the  MoliawUs  would  uUerfere  in  no  other  way  tlian 
as  nu'diators.  Tin;  General  re|>lied  that  he  hoped  they  would 
not,  but  he  at  the  samo  time  assured  them  with  emphasis,  that 

99 


m 


'  1, ! 


i 


I'A 


f     t 


II      f 


I!     "Ii 


I    it' 


W 


II 


'1  I' 


136 


LlFli    OF    BRANT. 


[1776. 


if  they  sliould  do  so,  he  should  not  hesitate  a  moment  in  de- 
stroying every  one  who  opposed  him  in  arms. 

On  the  following  day,  (the  ISth,)  Gencrtd  Schnylcr  movt.d 
forword  to  Caughnawagn,  four  miles  from  Joims'own,  where  he 
was  joined  by  Colonel  Herkimer  and  the  Tryon  Comity  mili- 
tia. At  about  G  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  Sir  John's  answer  to 
the  terms  proposed  to  him  was  received,  as  follows  : — 

"  Terms  proposed  by  Sir  John  Johnson,  Haronet,  and  the 
people  of  Kingsborough  and  the  adjacent  neighborhood,  to  the 
Honorable  Philip  Schuyler,  Esq.  Major  General  in  the  army 
of  the  thirteen  United  Colonies,  and  commanding  in  the  New- 
York  Department. 

"  Pirst :  That  Sir  John  Johnson  and  the  rest  of  the  gentle- 
men expect  that  all  such  arms  of  every  kind  as  are  their  own 
property  may  remain  in  tiieir  iwssession  ;  all  the  other  arms 
shall  be  delivered  up  to  such  person  or  persons  as  may  be  ap- 
pointed for  that  purpose  ;  as  to  mihtary  stores  belonging  to  the 
Crown,  Sir  John  has  not  any. 

"  ^S(rnmlly  :  Answered  in  the  first. 

"  Thirdly  :  Sir  John  «'.\|)ecls  that  he  will  not  becondued  to 
any  certaiu  County,  but  be  at  liberty  to  go  where  he  pleases. 

^^  Poll r( /ill/  :  The  Scotch  iuhabilauts  will  deliver  up  their 
nrms  of  what  kind  soever  they  may  be,  and  they  will  each 
solemnly  promise  that  they  will  not  at  juiy  time  hereafter,  during 
the  continuance  of  this  unhappy  contest,  take  uji  arms  without 
the  permission  of  the  ('outiuental  Cougress  or  of  their  general 
cHi(;ers.  Hostages  they  are  not  in  a  capacity  to  give  -no  one  man 
luvviiig  command  over  another,  or  power  sulliciciit  to  deliver 
such.  'I'ln^refore  this  part  of  the  article  to  be  passed  over,  or  the 
whole  included — women  and  children  to  be  recpiired,  being  a  re- 
quisition s(»  iuhumau  as  we  hope  llu'  (»en"rid  will  di.^pense  with." 

"  /'V/V/z/y;  Answered  in  the  foiM-lh. 

"  Si.rffifi/  :  Sir  John  bus  not  any  blankels,  strouds,  or  other 
presenlH,  intended  lor  the  Indians. 

"  Svrruthlij  :  If  the  abov(^  f)rojiosals  are  agreed  to  and  signed 
by  the  (leueral,  Sir  John  and  llm  people  referred  to  will  rely  on 
the  assurances  of  pn^teetiou  given  by  the  CitMjeral. 

|SiuNi:nJ  "  John  J(U!\soN, 

"  .Al.l.AN   M'DoNKLL." 

"  Tti  (he  I  foil.  1*1111.11'  S(  ni'VM.ii,  Afujor-ffouvidl.'^ 


} 


1770.] 


NKCOTIATIOXiJ    WITH    fiTH    JOHN. 


137 


•Mlicr 
ly  on 


I 


,1..' 


This  answer  was  in  all  respects  nnsatisfuctory,  as  will  appear 
by  the  annexed  letter  iVoni  (Jeneral  Schuyler  in  reply : — 

Gknehal  ScnuYi.Rii  to  Sir  John  Johnson,  Hauonet. 

"  Caughnawaga,  Jan.  18lli,  8  o'clock,  P.  M.,  1776. 
'  Gem'i.f.mkn, 
"  .Messrs.  Adams  and  M'Donell  have  delivered  me  your  an 
swcr  to  my  proposals  of  yesterday's  dau.     The  least  attention 
to  the  articles  [  oH'crcd,  when  compared  with  yours,  must  con- 
vince you  that  you  oiuittud  rrplics  to  .several  of  them,  and  con 
sccjuontly  that  what  you  have  scut  mo  is  very  inipmrect,  and 
also  unsatisfactory.  1  waivf  pointiiif,^  out  some  of  the  inconsis- 
tencies in  your  projwsab,  as  the  whole  are  exceptionable  cxcept- 
injT  the  last. 

"  1  must  therefore  obey  my  orders,  and  a^ain  repeat,  that,  in 
the  execution  of  them,  I  shall  strictly  ahiile  by  the  laws  of  ini- 
mauity ;  at  tlii-  same  time  assurinnj^  yon,  that  if  the  least  resist- 
ance is  made,  I  will  not  iuiswer  for  the  consecpier'.ces,  winch 
may  be  of  a  nature  the  most  dreadlul. 

"  If  Lady  Johnson  is  at  Johnson  Hall,  I  wish  she  would  re- 
tire, (and  therefore  enclose  a  passjiorl,)  as  I  shall  march  my 
troops  to  tliat  |)la(!(!  without  delay. 

"  Voii  may,  however,  still  have  (imi!  to  reconsider  the 
matter,  and  for  that  pnrjiose  I  <r\\o  you  until  12  o'clock  this 
nisrht— alter  which  I  shall  receive  no  proposals ;  and  I  havo 
sent  you  Mr.  Robert  Yates,  Mr.  Glor:.  and  Mr.  Duer,  to  receive 
the  ultimate  j)ro|)osals  you  havo  to  make.  This  condescension 
I  make  from  no  other  motive  i'«an  l>'  prcvnt  the  elj'iision  of 
Mood,  so  tar  as  it  can  be  ellectfd  \v\\U  i.t  riskinij  the  satiety  of 
the  (-'ouuty,  or  beint;  iruilly  of  a  bivacli  of  the  positive  orc'ers 
1  havo  received  fromtiie  llonorablo  Continc  t-d  Congress. 

"  I  ftPii,  ivrcntloinen, 
"  Willi  duo  respect, 

'  Vour  humbli  Sorvnnt, 

"IMr.  Sciiuvr.Eii." 
«*  To  Sir  John  Johnson  and  Mr  Allan  MJhnell.^* 

lunnediately  alter  the  preeedmjf  letter  had  bc^n  despalchoj 
to  the  Hall,  the  sachems  of  the  l.owi-r  ('aslle,  with  all  their 
warriors  and  several  from  the  Upper  L'asllo,    ui'lod  upon  Oo' 


i  I 

J 

f 


Ki 


111' 


III 


I'M 


138 


I,  IK 


Of    BRAXT. 


[177G. 


neral  Schuyler,  having'  come  to  his  quarters  directly  from  the 
residence  of  the  liaronet.  Tliey  informed  the  General  that 
Sir  Jolni  luid  related  to  them  the  substance  of  the  terms  of 
surrender  that  had  been  proposed.  Sir  John,  they  said,  had 
declar(!d  to  them  that  all  he  desired  was  protection  for  his  fami- 
ly and  friends  from  insidt  and  the  outrajres  of  riotous  pcoj)!*', 
and  protested  tiiat  he  liad  no  unfriendly  intentions  against  the 
country.  The  Indians  therefore  beg-ged  the  General  to  accept 
the  terms  as  offered  by  Sir  John.  The  General  told  the  ciiiefs 
that  he  could  not  accept  of  those  terms,  and  pointed  out  the  ob- 
jections, lie  likewise  inforn)ed  them  of  the  tenor  of  the  letter 
he  had  just  transmitted  to  the  Hall.  The  Indians  were  appa- 
rently contented  with  thos*'  reasons  and  with  the  course  adojjt- 
ed,  but  beffged  that,  should  tlie  answer  of  Sir  Jolin  be  still  un- 
satisfactory, the  General  would  give  him  until  4  o'clock  in  tlio 
morning,  that  tliey  might  have  time  to  go  and  "  shake  his 
head,"  as  they  expresseil  it,  "  and  bring  him  to  his  senses." 
They  likewise  b<'gged  it  as  an  additional  favor,  tluit  Cicneral 
Schuyler  would  not  remove  Sir  John  out  of  the  country. 
They  apologized  for  the  threats  of  their  own  warri(><  ,  alleg- 
ing that  It  was  jiliribiUable  to  the  circumstance  of  their  not 
being  i)resent  at  the  treaty  of  Albany  ;  and  again  rejieatcd  the 
assurance  that  th(^y  would  never  take  arms  against  the  Culo- 
iiies.  In  reply,  (ieneral  Schuyler  eomnlimented  the  Indiims  for 
their  i)aeiric  intentions,  and  informed  them  that  lu*  should  ac- 
ced(!  to  their  reipiest,  although  the  ((tudut't  of  Sir  John  luul 
been  so  censurable  that  he  shouhl  be  justified  in  holding  liimix 
close  prisoner.  I  lis  reasons  lor  granting  the  request,  the  Gene- 
ral told  them,  were  two-lold  : — Hrst,  to  show  the  love  and 
iifleetion  ol  the  Americans  lor  the  Indians,  (uid  to  conviiieo 
them  that  they  coukl  obtain,  by  askmg  as  a  favor,  tluit  which 
they  could  not  oblain  by  demanding  as  a  right.  Seeondly,  that 
by  leaving  Sir  John  amongst  them,  they  might,  by  Iheir  exam- 
ple and  advice,  induce  him  to  alter  his  conduct. 

Th(»  extension  of  the  time  until  A  o'l-lock  was  unnecessary 
however,  the  following  answer  from  Sir  John  having  been  re- 
ceived at  \:i  o'elock,  at  nndniglit  :    - 

"  Answers  lo  the  terms  proptised  by  the  Honorable  Philip 
Sclmyler,  pjsq.  Majitr  general  in  tlu^  army  of  the  thirteen 
United  (.\ilonies,  niid  commanding  in  tiio  Now-Y«>rk  Depart- 


I 


177G.] 


NEGOTIATIONS    WITH    SIR    JOHN. 


139 


»llK'<Jf- 


l('(<ssary 
If 'I  I  r<> 

IMiilip 


ment,  to  Sir  John  Johnson,  Baronot,  tlic  inhabitants  of  Kings- 
boroii<rh,  and  the  neighborhood  adjacent. 

"  First  and  second  articles  agreed  to,  except  a  few  ftxvoritc 
family  arms. 

"  Tliird  :  Sir  .Tohn  Jolnison  having  given  his  parole  of  honor 
not  to  take  up  arms  against  America,  and  conceiving  the  design 
of  this  miUlary  operation  to  be  with  no  other  view  than  that  of 
removing  the  jealonsies  of  which  his  countrymen  are  unhap- 
jiily  and  unjustly  inspired  with  against  him,  can  by  no  means 
think  of  submitting  to  this  article  in  its  full  latitude,  though, 
lor  tlie  sake  of  preserving  peace  and  removing  any  snsi)icions 
of  undu-J  '""uence,  he  consents  not  to  go  tu  the  westward  of  the 
German  Flatts  and  Ivingsland  Districts.  To  every  other  part 
of  the  continent  to  the  southward  of  this  County,  he  expects  the 
piivilege  of  going. 

"Fourthly:  Agreed  to,  excepting  that  i)art  of  the  article 
which  resjxM'ts  the  giving  hostages.  After  the  Scutch  inhabit- 
ants have  surrendered  arms,  the  (Jenerid  may  take  any  six 
])risuners  from  amongst  them  as  he  chooses,  without  resistance. 
They  e.\pect,  however,  that  the  prisoners  so  taken,  will  bo 
maintained  agreeable  to  tlieir  respective  rr.nks,  and  that  they 
may  have  the  privilege  of  going  to  any  part  of  the  province  of 
New  .lersey  or  IVimsylvania,  which  the  General,  or  the  Conti- 
iiiiUal  Congress  may  appoint.  They  likewise  expect,  from  iho 
(Jenerars  humanity,  that  provision  will  be  niado  for  the  main- 
tenance of  the  pristuier's  wives  and  children,  agreeable  to  their 
respective  situations  in  life.  Yet,  for  the  sake  of  promoting  the 
h,irmoi\y  of  the  country,  they  will  not  break  ofl"  this  treaty 
merely  on  that  account,  provided  the  General  thinks  he  can- 
not exert  a  discretionary  power  in  this  matter ;  in  which  case 
they  rely  upon  the  General's  inlluenoc'  with  the  Continental 
Con<n'ess,  which  they  cannot  persuade  themselves  will  be  iiuit- 
tenlivo  to  the  voice  of  humtmity,  or  to  the  leelings  of  parents 
who  may  bo  torn  from  their  families.  Those  to  whoso  lot  it 
may  fall  to  be  tak<>n  prisoners,  it  is  expected  will  be  allowed  a 
ft^w  days  to  settle  their  business,  and,  if  gentlemen,  to  wear  their 
side  anns. 

'•  I'ifih  :  Neither  Sir  John  Johnson  nor  the  Scotch  jyrentle. 
men,  can  make  any  engagement  for  any  other  per.sons  than 
those  over  whom  they  nmy  have  inllucnce.     Neither  can  they 


!  •  '         1 


m 


I,  «^ 


In 


■ 

i 


if 


ill 


i 


f 


j|.i 


^  H-i. 


1 1 


f", . 


HO 


LTFF.    OP    DUANT. 


[177G. 


possibly  know  the  names  of  all  such  persons  wlio  have  shown 
thcniselves  averse  to  the  nieasurcs  of  the  United  Colonies. 
They  give  their  word  and  honor,  that,  so  far  as  depends  on 
thcin,  the  ii\habitants  shall  give  up  their  arms,  and  enter  into 
the  lilce  en<rau:en)cut  with  the  Scotch  inliabitants.  The  Gerje- 
rul  has  it  more  in  his  power  to  discover  those  wlio  are  obnoxious, 
and  to  make  as  many  as  he  pleases  prisoners.  Neither  shall 
they  adopt  the  quarrel  of  any  such  persons  as  their  own. 

"  Sixth  :  Sir  John  gives  his  word  of  honor  that  he  has  no 
blankets,  strouds,  or  other  presents,  belonging  to  the  Crown, 
iiitciidcd  for  the  Indians;  and  therefore  this  requisition  cannot 
be  conii)lied  with. 

"Seventh  :  If  tlie  above  proposals  arc  agreed  to,  and  signed 
by  the  General,  Sir  John  and  tlie  people  referred  to  will  rely  on 
(lie  assurances  of  protection  given  by  the  General.  But  as  it 
M'ill  bo  impossible  ibr  the  arms  io  be  collected  till  Saturday 
next  at  twelve  o'clock,  all  tbo  men  referred  to  in  the  above 
articles  will  be  then  paraded  in  .Tohnstown,  and  ground  their 
arms  in  the  presence  of  such  troops  as  the  General  may 
appoint." 

[Signed.]  "  John  Joit.vson, 

"  Allan  IM'Donkll." 

"  Johnson  Hull,  Jamianj  '\Sl/i,  1770." 

The  Indians  were  yet  present  at  the  quarters  of  General 
Schuyler  when  this  despatch  was  received  from  Sir  John,  and, 
on  being  informed  that  matters  were  lilcely  to  terminate  amica- 
bly, they  retired  with  warm  expressions  of  gralilicafion.  'IMio 
following  letter  was  thereupon  desi)alched  to  the  Hall : — 

GuNMiltAL    SciIUVLKU    TO   Sill    JoiIN    JoiINSON. 

"  CAuaiiNAWAOA,  January  10,  1770. 

"General  Schuyler's  feelings  as  a  gentleman  induce  him  lo 
consent  that  Sir  John  Johnson  may  retain  the  few  favorite  fa- 
mily arms     be  i     iving  a  list  of  thi'nL 

"The  Gi  ueral  will  idso  <■  >n^ent  that  Sir  John  Johnson  may 
go  as  far  t^  I  Ik;  westward  as  tla;  GerniMU  I'lalfs  and  Kingsland 
Districts  in  this  (.'ouiity,  and  to  every  other  part  of  tins  Colony 
to  the  Southwiud  and  Mastwiud  of  said  Districts,  provided  he 
does  not  go  into  any  seajiort  towiL      The  General,  liowever, 


1! 


^a*^:^ 


1776.] 


THE    TORIES    DISARMED. 


141 


:i.L.' 


"ucrnl 
and, 
ninic.'i- 
Tho 


T(). 

lilM  to 

ito  fa- 


nloiiy 
■d  ho 


I 


;ever 


believes,  that  if  Sir  John's  private  business  should  require  his 
going  to  any  of  the  other  ancient  Enghsh  Colonics,  he  will  be 
permitted  the  indulgence  by  applying  to  Congress  for  leave. 

"  The  General  will  take  six  of  the  Scotch  inhabitants  prison- 
ers, since  they  prefer  it  to  going  as  hostages.  It  has  been  the 
invariable  rule  of  Congress,  and  that  of  all  its  officers,  to  treat 
prisoners  with  the  greatest  humanity,  and  to  pay  all  due  defer- 
ence to  rank.  He  cannot  ascertain  the  places  to  which  Con- 
gress may  please  to  send  them.  For  the  present  they  will  go 
to  Reading  or  Lancaster  in  Pennsylvania.  Nor  can  he  make 
any  p  imises  with  respect  to  the  maintenance  of  the  women 
and  children.  His  liunianity  will  certainly  induce  him  to 
recommend  to  Congress  an  attention  to  whot  lias  been  request- 
ed on  that  head.  General  Schuyler  expects  that  all  the  Scotch 
inhabitants,  of  whatsoever  rank,  who  arc  not  confined  to  their 
beds  by  illness,  will  attend  with  their  arms,  and  deliver  them  on 
Saturday  at  12  o'clock.  If  this  condition  be  not  faitlilully  per- 
formed, he  will  consider  himself  as  disengaged  from  any  en- 
gdgements  entered  into  witli  tlicm. 

*'  General  Schuyler  never  refused  a  gentleman  his  side-arms. 

"  The  prisoners  that  may  be  taken  must  be  removed  to  Al- 
bany immediately,  where  the  General  will  permit  them  to  re- 
main a  reasonable  time  to  settle  their  family  aflairs. 

"  If  the  terms  General  Schuyler  has  offered  on  the  17th  inst. 
are  accepted  with  the  above  qualifications,  fair  copies  will  be 
made  out  and  signed  by  the  parties,  one  of  which  will  be  de- 
livered to  Su'  .Idhu  and  Mv.  INl'Doiu'll,  signed  by  the  General. 
To  prevent  a  waste  ot  time,  the  General  wishes  Sir  John  and 
Mr.  M'Uoneil  inmiediatt^ly  to  send  an  answer. 

"  He  remains,  with  due  respect, 
"  Sir  John's  and  JMr.  M'Donell's  humble  Servant, 

"PlI.  Sl-miVLER." 

These  terms  were  acceded  to  by  Sir  John,  and  on  the  same 
day  General  Schuyler  marched  to  Jiihuslown — having  pre- 
viously detailed  several  detachments  ot  his  troops  to  scour  the 
country,  and  l)iu)g  m  tiw  disatlccled  not  eoni|)r('lieiided  iti  the 
arrangfMnenis  with  the  IJaronet.  On  the  same  afternoon  Sir 
John  deliver  "d  upthenrms  andjunnuuntion  m  his  possession — 
th'   quarrtity  of  Uith  being  much  smaller  than  was  expected. 


:ii 


1'  ! 


{ij 


I  I 


U" 


I'  ■' 


*l 


1 1 J .'' ■■' 


142 


LIP'E    OF    BRANT. 


[1776. 


On  Saturday,  the  20th,  General  Schuyler  paraded  his  troops  at 
12  o'clock  at  noon,  to  receive  the  surrender  of  the  Highlanders, 
who,  to  the  number  of  between  two  and  three  hundred, 
marched  to  the  front  and  grounded  their  arms.  These  having 
been  secured,  the  Scotchmen  were  dismissed  with  an  exhorta- 
tion to  remain  peaceable,  and  with  an  assurance  of  protection 
if  they  did  so. 

The  General's  attention  was  next  directed  to  the  discovery 
and  capture  of  the  secret  depot  of  arms  and  ammunition,  of 
which  information  had  been  given  by  Connell.  Two  of  the 
persons  named  in  his  affidavit  were  taken,  but  they  denied, 
most  unequivocally,  all  knowledge  upon  the  subject.  Connell 
was  then  produced  to  confront  them  ;  but  they  still  persisted  in 
maintaining  their  innocence,  and  denounced  him  as  a  perjured 
villain.  Connell  was  then  sent  with  a  number  of  officers  to 
point  out  the  spot,  where,  as  he  alleged,  the  arms  were  con- 
cealed. He  conducted  them  to  a  pond  of  water,  containing  a 
small  island,  or  mound,  in  the  middle,  within  which  he  declared 
the  arms  were  buried.  The  snow  and  ice  were  forthwith  re- 
moved, and  the  mound  dug  down.  Connell  had  particularly 
described  the  manner  in  which  the  arms  had  been  deposited 
under  ground  ;  but  it  was  soon  discovered  that  the  earth  had 
not  recently  been  disturbed,  if  ever ;  and  in  the  end  it  was 
ascertained,  to  the  satisfaction  of  all,  that  the  fellow  was  abase 
impostor.  General  Schuyler  returned  to  Caughnawaga  that 
evening.  On  the  two  following  days  upward  of  a  hundred 
Tories  were  brought  in  from  diflerent  parts  of  the  country. 
Colonel  Herkimer  was  left  in  charge  to  complete  the  disarming 
of  the  disallected  and  receive  the  hostages,  and  the  General, 
with  his  miscellaneous  army,  marched  back  to  Albany.  In  his 
lotlers  (o  Congress,  and  also  to  General  Washington,  he  spoke 
of  tlie  anxiety  and  trouble  he  had  expiirienced  in  preventing 
so  large  a  body  of  men,  collected  on  the  sudden,  without  dis- 
cipline, and  withal  greatly  exasperated,  from  running  into  ex- 
cesses. In  these  ellorts,  however,  he  succeeded  much  better 
than,  under  the  circumstances,  was  reasonably  to  have  been 
anticipated.  IJefore  his  return,  Mr.  Dean,  the  Indian  interpre- 
ter, was  despatchcHl  by  the  (Jenend  with  a  belt  and  a  talk  to 
the  Six  Nations,  which  has  not  been  preserved.  Thus  ended 
the  expedition  to  Johnstown. 


1776.] 


FLIGHT    OP   SIR   JOHN. 


143 


arming 

?ncral, 

In  1 1  is 

spoke 

cnliiig 

lit  dis- 

|to  ex- 

hcttcr 

bcpii 

lerpro- 

Inlk  to 

I  ended 


Genorn!  Schuyler  transmitted  a  full  report  of  his  proceedings 
to  Congress,  by  whom  a  special  resolution  was  passed,  thank- 
ing him  for  the  fidelity,  prudence,  and  expedition  with  which 
he  had  performed  such  a  meritorious  service.  A  second  reso- 
lution was  also  adopted,  so  curiously  constructed,  and  containing 
such  an  ingeniously-inserted  hint  to  the  oHicers  and  militia-mcn 
accompanying  General  Schuyler  on  this  expedition,  as  to  render 
it  worthy  of  preservation.     It  was  in  the  words  following: — 

"  Resolved,  That  the  cheerfulness  and  ready  assistance  of 
those  who  accompanied  General  Schuyler  in  his  march  to  the 
County  of  Tryon,  and  their  useful  services  in  that  expedition, 
discovered  such  a  patriotic  spirit,  that  it  is  hoped  none  of  them 
will  allow  their  countrymen  to  entertain  a  suspicion  that  any 
ignoble  motive  actuated  them,  by  requiring  a  pecuniary  reward, 
especially  when  they  were  employed  in  sup})ressing  a  mischief 
in  their  own  neighborhood." 

The  resolutions  were  enclosed  to  General  Schuyler  in  a  flat- 
tering letter  Irom  President  Hancoclc,  in  which,  among  other 
things,  he  says  : — "  It  is  with  great  ])leasure  I  inform  you  that 
the  prudence,  zeal,  and  temper,  manilested  in  your  late  expedi- 
tion, met  with  the  warmest  ap|)robation  of  (^ongrcss." 

For  somi!  unexplained  reason.  Sir  John  Johnson  did  not  ob- 
serve the  compact  ol'  neutrality,  nor  the  obligations  of  his  pa- 
role. Or,  if  he  kei)t  himself  within  the  letter,  his  conduct  was 
such  as  to  re-awaken  the  suspicions  of  the  people,  and  was  con- 
sidered by  General  Schuyler  a  virtual  violation  of  the  spirit  of 
the  parole  he  had  given,  to  take  no  [)art  against  the  Colonies. 
In  fact,  the  information  received  by  General  Schuyler  con- 
vinced him  that  Sir  John  was  secretly  instigating  the  Indians 
to  hostilities,  and  was  thus  likely  to  jtroduce  much  mischief  on 
the  frontiers.  'J'o  prevent  such  a  calamity,  it  was  thought  ad- 
visable by  Schuyler  to  secure  the  person  of  Sir  John,  and  once 
more  to  cpiell  the  rising  spirit  of  disalfection  i;i  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Johnstown,  especially  among  the  Highlanders.  For 
this  purpose,  in  the  month  of  jMiiy  Ibllowing  the  events  already 
narrat(Ml  in  the  present  chapter,  Colonel  Dayton,  with  a  part  of 
liis  regiment  tln-n  on  its  way  to  Canada,  was  dispatched  by 
General  Schuyler  to  prosecute  this  enterprise,'     'J'here  were, 

♦  Sporks'H  Lifi!  and  Wiiliiigs  of  WiiHliiii;;t'in     Note  in  vol.  iv,  p.  lOD — 410. 


1 

'r^ 

i 

"'" 

( 

' 

1: 

1 

\.    ■!• 

: 

: 

tC 


,,^ 


!  '■  f  ■' 


' » 


144 


LIFE    OF    BUANT. 


[1776. 


however,  large  numbers  of  loyalists  in  Albany,  with  whoni 
Sir  John  was  then  and  subsequently  in  close  correspondence. 
It  is  therefore  not  surprising  that  he  received  timely  notice 
of  these  preparations  for  his  second  arrest,  in  atiticipation  of 
Dayton's  arrival.  Such  was  the  fact;  and,  hastily  collecting 
a  large  numbei  of  his  tenants  and  others,  dis'  Elected  toward  the 
cause  of  the  Colonists,  the  Baronet  was  prepared  for  instant 
flight  on  the  approach  of  the  Continentals.  'I'liis  purpose  was 
successfully  executed.  Colonel  Dayton  arrived  at  Johnstown 
in  the  evening,  whereupon  Sir  John  and  his  retainers  imme- 
diately took  to  the  woods  by  the  way  of  the  Sacandaga.*  Not 
knowing  whether  his  royalist  friends  were  in  possession  of 
Lake  Champlain  or  not,  the  fugitives  dared  not  venture  upon 
that  route  to  Montreal ;  and  Sir  John  was  accordingly  obliged 
to  strike  deeper  into  the  forests  Ixtween  the  head  waters  of  the 
Hudson  and  the  St.  Lawrence.  Having  but  a  brief  period  of 
preparation  for  their  flight,  the  party  was  but  ill  supplied  for 
such  a  campaign.  Their  provisions  were  soon  exhausted  ; 
their  feet  became  sore  from  travelling ;  and  several  of  their  num- 
ber were  left  from  time  to  time  in  the  wilderness,  to  be  picked 
up  and  brought  in  afterward  by  the  Indians  sent  out  for  that 
purpose. 

After  nineteen  days  of  severe  hardship,  the  Baronet  and  his 
pariisans  arrived  at  Montreal  in  a  pitiable  condition — having 
enco'.ntored  all  of  suflering  that  it  seemed  possible  for  man  to 
tMuiiirc.  Such  was  the  precipitation  of  his  departure  from  the 
pareiiuil  hull,  and  such  his  deficiency  of  the  means  of  transpor- 
tation, that  an  iron  chest,  containing  the  most  valuable  of  his 
family  papers,  was  hastily  buried  in  the  garden.  The  family 
Bible,  containing  the  only  record  of  the  marriage  of  his  father 
and  mother,  and  of  course  the  only  written  evidence  of  his  own 
legitimacy,  was  also  left  behind.t     Such  of  the  papers  as  were 

♦  There  is  some  reason  tosiippoi'c  tliut  an  expedition,  Icil  by  the  Molmwk  In- 
dians, was  sent  from  IMontrrul  on  purpose  to  bring  Sir  John  away,  or  rescue  him 
from  the  espionage  of  the  Arneritan!".  In  one  of  Hrant'a  dpeeches,  dilivered  long 
nfterwartl,  when  rehearsing  Iho  exploits  of  iho  Mohawks  in  the  llcvolulionary  war, 
the  following  passage  oecnrs:  — "VVe  then  went  in  a  body  to  a  town  then  in  tho 
"possession  of  the  enemy,  and  rescued  Sir  .Tiilin  Johnson,  bringing  him  fi'arlessly 
"  through  the  streets."  Urant,  at  the  time  of  this  rescue,  as  will  presently  be  seen, 
was  himself  in  b^ngland — as  also  was  Guy  Johnson. 

t  After  the  coiifiMctition  of  tho  properly  nf  Sir  John,  the  furniture  of  the  hull  was 
•old  by  aurtion  at  Fort  Hunter.     Tho  lute  Lieut,  (jovernor  of  New-York,  J'>|,n 


tMI 


[1776. 

ith  whom 
ipondence. 
ely  notice 
ipation  of 
collecting 
toward  the 
for  instant 
irpose  was 
Johnstown 
lers  imme- 
iga.*  Not 
isession  of 
iture  npon 
^ly  obliged 
iters  of  the 
f  period  of 
iipplied  for 
3xhausted  ; 
their  num- 
b  be  picked 
)ut  for  that 

let  and  his 
I — having 
or  man  to 
from  the 
transpor- 
ible  of  his 
'he  family 
his  father 
if  his  own 
IS  as  were 

Molinwk  In- 
)r  rcHciiu  liiiii 
ilivcrcd  long 
itionnry  war, 
tlieii  in  ihu 
Liin  r(<arleBt<ly 
Intly  be  seen, 

Ithn  Imll  WRH 

York,  .T')l,n 


1770.] 


COMMISSIONED    IN    THE    BRITISH    ARMT. 


14! 


found,  were  examined  by  Colonel  Dayton,  in  compliance  with 
his  orders  ;  "  and  Lady  Johnson  was  removed  to  Albany,  where 
"  she  was  retained  as  a  kind  of  hostage  for  the  peaceable  con 
"  duct  of  her  husband.  She  wrote  to  General  Washington, 
"  complaining  of  this  detention,  and  asking  his  interference  for 
"  her  release  ;  but  the  Commander-in-Chief  left  the  matter  with 
"  General  Schuyler  and  the  Albany  Committee."*  Colonel 
Dayton  was  stationed  several  weeks  at  Johnstown  with  his 
troops,  and  for  the  time  being  secured  the  tranquillity  of  the 
country. 

Sir  John  was  immediately  commissioned  a  Colonel  in  the 
British  service,  and  raised  a  command  of  two  battalions,  com- 
posed of  those  who  accoinp  '-^d  him  in  his  flight,  and  othci 
American  loyalists  who  sii  .  'utly  followed  their  example. 

They  were  called  the  Royal  Ureens.  In  the  month  of  January 
following,  he  found  his  way  into  New- York,  then  in  posses- 
sion of  the  British  forces.  From  that  period  he  became  not 
only  one  of  the  most  active,  but  one  of  the  bitterest  foes  of  his 
own  countrymen  of  any  who  were  engaged  in  that  contest — 
and  repeatedly  the  scourge  of  his  own  former  neighbors.  He 
was  unquestionably  a  loyalist  from  principle,  else  he  would 
scarcely  have  hazarded,  as  he  did,  and  ultimately  lost,  domains 
larger  and  fairer  than  probably  ever  belonged  to  a  single  pro- 
prietor in  America.  William  Penn  only  excepted.  But  the  im- 
mediate cause  of  his  breaking  his  pledge  of  honor  is  not  known. 
Unexplained  as  it  ever  has  been,  the  act  has  always  been  re- 
garded as  a  stain  upon  the  Baronet's  character.  It  was  held  as 
such  by  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New- York,  as  will  be  seen 
by  the  annexed  extract  from  a  letter  addressed  by  that  body  to 
General  Washington  immediately  after  his  flight: — "  We  ap- 
"  prebend  no  doubt  can  exist  whether  the  afliiir  of  Sir  John 

Taylor,  purchased  Beveral  articles  of  the  furniture ;  and  among  other  things,  the 
Bible  mentioned  in  the  text.  Perceiving  that  it  contained  tiie  family  record,  which 
might  ho  of  great  value  to  Sir  John,  Mr.  Tiiylor  wrote  a  iivil  note  to  Sir  John,  ofll-r- 
ing  its  restoration.  Some  time  afterward,  a  mosscnjier  from  the  Baronet  called  for 
the  Bible,  wIidso  conduct  was  so  rude  as  to  give  ofT.tnce.  "  I  have  come  for  Sir 
William's  Bible,"  said  lie,  "and  there  are  the  four  guineas  which  it  co«t."  The 
Dibic  was  deliveriul,  and  the  runner  was  asked  what  mcssai^e  Sir  John  had  aentt 
The  reply  was—  "  I'ny  four  guineao,  and  take  the  book  1" — LtUtr  of  John  Taylor 
Cooper  (irrandso)i  of  the  Lt,  Guvtrnor)  to  tht  author. 
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140 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1776. 


"  Johnson  is  within  your  immediate  cognizance.  He  held  a 
"  commission  as  Brigadier-General  of  the  militia,  and,  it  is  said, 
"  another  commission  as  Major-General.  That  he  hath  shamc- 
"  fully  broken  his  parole  is  evident,  but  whether  it  would  be 
"  more  proper  to  have  him  returned  or  exchanged,  is  entirely 
"  in  your  Excellency's  prudence."  His  estates  were,  of  course, 
confiscated  by  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New- York,  and  in 
due  time  sold  under  the  direction  of  the  Committee  of  that  body 
having  such  matters  in  charge. 


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[1776. 

held  a 
is  said, 
shamc- 
Duld  bo 
Jiitircly 
course, 
and  in 
at  body 


CHAPTER  VII. 


History  of  Brant  resumed — Advanced  to  the  chieftaincy  of  the  Confederacy — Mode 
of  appointin"  cliiefu  and  sachems — Embarks  for  England — Arrives  in  London — 
Received  witli  niaritcd  consideration — Becomes  acquainted  with  James  Boswcll 
and  others — Agrees  to  espouse  the  Royal  cause,  and  returns  to  America — Steals 
througii  tiie  country  to  Canada — Curious  supposed  letter  to  President  Whcelock 
-Uuttic  of  the  Cedars— Cowardice  of  Major  Butterfield — Outrages  of  the  In- 
dians—Story  of  Capt.  M'Kinslry,  who  was  saved  from  the  stake  by  Brant — In- 
dignation of  Washington,  the  people,  and  Congress — Resolutions  of  retaliation 
— Mutual  complaints  of  treatment  of  prisoners — Murder  of  Gen.  Gordon — In- 
dignation at  the  outrage — Indian  deputation  at  Philadelphia — Speech  to  them — 
Congress  resolves  upon  the  employment  of  an  Indian  force — Schuyler  opposed — 
Review  of  the  incidents  of  the  war  elsewhere — Destitution  of  the  Army — Eva- 
cuation of  Boston  by  tlio  English — Disastrous  termination  of  the  Canadian  cam- 
paign— Doplorablo  condition  of  the  army — Humanity  of  Sir  Guy  Carleton — 
--Glance  at  the  South — Declaration  of  Independence — Spirit  of  Tryon  County 
— Clieriy  Vulley — Foitifications  at  Fort  Stanwix — American  army  moves  to 
New- York — Arrival  of  tlio  British  fleet  and  army— Battle  of  Long-Island — 
Washington  evacuates  New-York— Battle  of  White  Plains — Retreats  across 
New-Jtrsey— Followed  by  Cornwallis — Defeat  of  Arnold  on  Lake  Champlain 
—Full  of  Rhode  Island— fJattle  of  Trenton. 

The  progress  of  events  renders  it  necessary  again  to  intro- 
duce the  Indian  hero  of  the  war  of  the  Revohition  more  promi- 
nently upon  the  stage  of  action.  Thayendanegea  had  now  been 
advanced  to  the  situation  of  principal  war-chief  of  the  confede- 
racy*— an  oflicer,  according  to  tlie  ancient  usages  of  the  Six 
Nations,  uniformly  taken  from  the  Mohawks.t  How,  or  in 
what  manner,  Brant  arrived  at  that  dignity,  history  does  not 
inform  us.  Ilcndrick,  the  last  of  the  Mohawk  chiefs  who 
bore  tho  royal  title  of  King,  full  under  Sir  William  Johnson 
tit  Lake  George  twenty  years  before.  He  was  succeeded  by 
Little  Abraham,  whose  name  has  frequently  occurred  in  tho 
preceding  pages,  and  who  has  been  designated  by  some  writers 
as  the  brother  of  Ilendriek.  But  whether  such  was  the  fact 
or  not,  no  farther  mention  of  his  nomc  occurs  in  the  history  of 
tho  war.     lie  was  uniformly  friendly  to  tho  Colonists ;  imd 

*  I  nm  owaro  that  the  dignity  of  "Principal  Chief"  has  been  denied  to  Captain 
Brnnt  by  several  writers,  and  exprextly  i)y  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stewort,  who  says  ho  was 
not  a  wnr-chief  by  birth,  and  not  so  otlen  in  command  as  has  been  supposed,  it 
will  be  seen,  however,  toward  the  close  of  tliis  work,  from  tho  speech  of  a  Seneca 
chief,  Ihol  Tlmyi  ndanegca  was  tho  head  chiuf  of  tho  confederacy — Mr.  S.  to  the 
contrary  notwuIiHtandinj;. 

t  David  Ciitiek'g  iketehrs  of  tho  Ancient  History  of  the  Six  Nationi.  Ciiick 
was  hiiiitieif  an  Indian  of  the  Tiiscurora  tribe. 


II  tl 


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148 


LIFE    OF    nRANT. 


[1776. 


as  he  refused  to  leave  the  valley  with  Thayendanegea  and  the 
majority  of  the  nation  who  accompanied  Guy  Johnson  in  his 
flight — preferring  to  remain  with  the  tribe  at  the  Lower  Castle 
— it  is  not  improbable  that  Brant  assumed  the  superior  chief 
taincy  from  the  force  of  circumstances.  Sir  William  Johnson 
informs  us,  that  the  sachems  of  each  tribe  of  the  Six  Nations 
were  usually  chosen  in  a  public  assembly  of  the  chiefs  and 
warriors,  whenever  a  vacancy  happened  by  death  or  otherwise. 
They  were  selected  from  among  the  oldest  warriors  for  their 
sense  and  bravery,  and  approved  of  by  all  the  tribe — after 
which  they  were  selected  as  sachems.  Military  services  were 
the  chief  recommendations  to  this  rank ;  but  in  some  instances 
a  kind  of  inheritance  in  the  office  was  recognized.*  We  have 
seen  that  Thayendanegea  was  descended  from  a  family  of 
chiefs,  and  his  birth  may  have  contributed  to  his  elevation. 
His  family  and  official  connexion  with  the  Johnsons,  whose 
name  continued  so  potent  with  the  Indians,  likewise,  without 
doubt,  facilitated  his  advancement.  But  Mr.  Stewart,  denying 
that  the  family  of  Thayendanegea  was  remarkable  for  any  pre- 
eminence in  their  village,  represents  his  influence  to  have  been 
acquired  by  his  uncommon  talents  and  address  as  a  counsellor 
and  politician  ;  by  which  means  he  subdued  all  opposition  and 
jealousy,  and  at  length  acquired  such  an  ascendancy  that,  even 
in  the  hour  of  action  and  danger,  he  was  enabled  to  rule  and 
direct  liis  warriors  as  absolutely  as  if  he  had  been  born  their 
General. 

This  inquiry,  however,  is  of  no  great  importance.  The 
fact  that  ho  had  now  become  the  chief  sachem  is  unquestion- 
able ;  and  from  this  point  of  the  present  history,  Joseph  Thay- 
endanegea becomes  one  of  the  principal  personages  engaged  in 
its  progress,  lie  was  ordinarily  called  l)y  his  other  name  of 
Joseph  Brant,  or  "Captain  Brant" — the  title  of  "Captain" 
being  the  highest  military  distinction  known  to  the  Indians ; 
and  that,  moreover,  lieing  the  military  rank  octually  conferred 
ujion  him  in  the  army  of  the  Crown.  In  much  of  his  correspond- 
ence, when  wishing  to  bo  formal  and  writing  to  distinguished 
men,  ho  was  accustonu'd  to  write  his  name  "Joseph  Brant — 
Tluiyrndaurffea  i'^  the  latter  being  his  legitimate  Indian  name. 

*  I.otfprs  or  Sir  William  Johnio.i  to  Artliur  L««— viile  London  Philoiophictl 
Truniucliuria. 


.J. 


[1776. 


1776.] 


HIS    FIRST    VISIT    TO    ENGLAND. 


119 


lopliical 


It  has  been  seen,  in  a  preceding  chapter,  that  Thayenclanegea 
had  accompanied  Guy  Johnson  from  the  Mohawk  Valley, 
first,  westwafdly  to  Ontario,  thence  back  to  Oswego,  and  thence 
to  Montreal,  where  his  services,  and  those  of  his  warriors,  were 
courted  by  Generals  Carieton  and  Haldimand,  and  an  agree- 
ment was  speedily  made  that  they  were  to  take  up  the  hatchet  in 
the  cause  of  the  King.  For  the  prosecution  of  a  border  war- 
fare, the  officers  of  the  Crown  could  scarcely  have  engaged  a 
more  valuable  auxiliary.  Distinguished  alike  for  his  address, 
his  activity,  and  his  courage — possessing,  in  point  of  stature 
and  symmetry  of  person,  the  advantage  of  most  men  even 
among  his  own  well-formed  race — tall,  erect,  and  majestic, 
with  the  air  and  mien  of  one  born  to  command,* — having,  as 
it  were,  been  a  man  of  war  from  his  boyhood, t — his  name  was 
a  tower  of  strength  among  the  warriors  of  the  wilderness.  Still 
more  extensive  was  his  influence  rendered,  by  the  circumstance 
that  he  had  been  much  employed  in  the  civil  service  of  the  In- 
dian department,  under  Sir  William  Johnson,  by  whom  he  was 
often  deputed  upon  embassies  among  the  tribes  ol  the  confe- 
deracy, and  to  those  yet  more  distant,  upon  tlie  great  lakes  and 
rivers  of  the  north-west,  by  reason  of  which  his  knowledge  of 
the  whole  country  and  people  was  accurate  and  extensive. 

Whether,  after  the  compact  with  Sir  Guy  Carieton,  the  chief 
again  visited  the  Indian  country  of  the  Six  Nations  during  the 
summer  of  ^775,  is  unknown.  Probably  not ;  since,  in  the  au- 
tumn of  that  year  or  early  in  the  following  winter,  he  embarked 
on  his  first  visit  to  England.  What  was  the  precise  object  of  this 
visit  does  not  appear.  It  is  very  probable,  however,  that,  not- 
withstanding the  agreement  so  hastily  formed  at  Montreal,  the 
sagacious  chieftain  may  have  judged  it  prudent  to  pause,  before 
committing  himself  too  far  by  overt  acts  of  hostility  against 
the  Colonies.  The  Oneidas  were  evidently  inclining  to  es- 
pouse the  Colonial  side  of  the  controversy,  if  any ;  the  River 
Indians  had  already  rang(!(l  themselves  on  the  same  side  ; 
Captain  White-ljyes  of  the  Delaware's,  had  determined  upon 
neutrality  ;  and  the  Caughnawagas,  or  at  least  some  of  their 
leading  chiefs,  were  in  tho  camp  with  Washington.     To  all 

♦  Loltt>r  of  G  run  III  P.  B.  Porter  to  llio  autlior. 

t  lio  wan  lull  tliirtuon  years  old  when  in  tho  battle  of  T.nko  Dimrgo. 


n    i 


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150 


LIFE    OF   BRANT, 


[1776. 


which  may  be  added  the  fact,  that  at  that  time  the  American 
arms  were  carrying  every  thing  before  them  in  Canada. 
These  circumstances  were  certainly  enough  to  make  the  chief- 
tain hesitate  as  to  the  course  dictated  by  true  wisdom.  His 
predilections,  doubtless,  from  the  first,  inclined  him  to  espouse 
the  cause  of  the  King.  Nay,  he  maintained  through  life,  that 
the  ancient  covenants  of  his  people  rendered  it  obligatory  upon 
him  so  to  do.  In  addition  to  which  were  the  strong  tics  of 
blood,  of  association,  and  of  gratitude,  by  which  he  was  bound 
to  the  family  and  the  interests  of  the  Johnsons.  Still,  the  bril- 
liant successes  with  whicli  the  Americans  had  opened  the  cam- 
paign in  Canada  presented  another  view  of  the  case,  whicli 
was  certainly  entitled  to  grave  consideration.  Thus  situated, 
the  chief  may  have  found  his  position  so  embarrassing  as  to 
induce  him  to  visit  the  parent  country,  and  go  himself  into  the 
presence  of  "  The  Great  King,"  as  the  British  monarch  was 
styled  by  the  Indians,  before  he  should  finally  determine 
whether  actually  to  take  the  field  or  not.  By  making  the  voy- 
age, he  would  have  the  additional  advantage  of  studying  the 
resources  and  the  power  of  the  parent  country,  and  would 
tliereby  be  the  better  able  to  determine  for  himself  whether 
success  was  likely  to  crown  his  Majesty's  arms  in  the  end,  or 
whetiier,  by  an  over-scrupulous  observance  of  an  ancient  sti- 
pulation of  alliance,  he  should  not,  with  his  people,  be  rushing 
upon  certain  destruction. 

But  whether  he  thus  reasoned  or  not,  it  is  certain  that  he 
sailed  for  England  toward  the  close  of  the  year  1775,  and 
reached  TiOndon  early  in  1776,  accompanied  by  Captain  Tice, 
an  officer  ot  English  extraction,  born  in  America,  Avho  had  re- 
sided in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Mohawk  nation. 

Only  a  very  brief  account  of  this,  his  first  visit  to  England, 
has  been  found.*  It  lias  always  been  said,  however,  that  he 
was  not  only  well  received,  but  that  liis  society  was  courted  by 
gentlemen  of  rank  and  station — statesmen,  scholars,  and  di- 
vines. He  liad  little  of  the  savage  ferocity  of  his  people  in  liis 
countenance  ;  and  when,  as  he  ordinarily  did,  he  wore  the 
European  dress,  there  was  nothing  besides  his  color  to  mark 
wherein  he  differed  from  other  men.     Upon  his  first  arrival  in 

*  Lomloit  MsgHzine  for  July,  1776, 


[1776. 


f  ! 


1776.] 


lild    FIRST    VISIT    TO    ENGLAND. 


151 


the  British  capital,  he  was  conducted  to  the  inn  called  "  The 
Swan  icith  two  Necks  J'  Other  lodgings  were  soon  provided  for 
him,  more  suitable  to  his  rank  as  an  Indian  king  ;  but  he  said 
the  people  of  the  inn  had  treated  liini  with  so  much  kindness 
and  civility,  that  he  preferred  remaining  there  during  his  stay- 
in  London  ;  and  he  accordingly  did  so. 

Although  he  was  dressed  in  the  European  habit,  he  was  not 
unprovided  with  a  splendid  costume  after  the  manner  of  his 
own  nation,  in  which  he  appeared  at  Court,  and  upon  visits  of 
state  and  ceremony.  James  Boswell  was  at  that  period  in  his 
glory,  and  an  intimacy  appears  to  have  been  contracted  between 
him  and  the  Mohawk  cliief,  since  the  latter  sat  for  his  picture 
at  the  request  of  this  most  interesting  of  egotists.  He  also  sat, 
during  tiie  same  visit,  to  llomney,  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
artists  of  his  day,  for  the  Earl  of  Warwick.  He  was,  of 
course,  painted  in  his  native  dress,  and  the  picture  was  greatly 
prized.*  Tlie  tomahawk  worn  by  him  in  London,  was  a  very 
beautiful  article,  polished  to  the  highest  degree ;  upon  which 
was  engraved  the  first  letter  of  his  Christian  name,  with  his 
Mohawk  appellation,  thus  : — "  /.  Thaj/endtuicg'ea." 

He  dia  not  remain  in  England  many  months,  but,  in  com- 
pany with  Captain  Ticc,  sailed  on  his  return  toward  the  close 
of  March  or  early  in  April,!  and  arrived  on  the  coast  near  the 
harbor  of  New- York  after  a  very  short  passage.  Having  fully 
determined  to  fulfil  his  stipulations  with  General  Carleton,  and 
take  up  the  hatchet  in  the  cause  of  the  Crown,  ho  was  cau- 
tiously and  privately  landed  somewhere  in  the  neighborhood  of 
New- York,  whence  he  performed  a  very  hazardous  journey  to 
Canada — having,  of  course,  to  steal  his  way  througli  a  hostile 
population,  until  he  could  liido  himself  in  the  forests  beyond 
Albany.  He  had  taken  the  precaution,  however,  in  England, 
to  provide  evidence  of  the  identity  of  his  body  in  case  of  dis- 
aster, or  of  his  fall  in  any  of  the  battles  ho  anticipated,  by  pro- 
curing a  gold  finger  ring,  with  his  name  engraven  thereon  at 
length. t 

♦  Tlu!  fronUspifcn  of  tlio  present  volume  in  from  the  lasl-mentioned  pioturo. 

t  The  London  UnivcrRol  Magn/.ine  fur  July  >■(  177G,  Htutes  that  ho  embarked  (br 
America  in  May,  H\it  there  niunt  have  been  a  miotako  in  tito  date,  sinoo  Brant,  at 
will  soon  appear,  wna  in  the  buttle  of  (he  Cudara,  above  Montreal,  in  that  month. 

\  Tliiu  ring  ho  wore  until  U\a  deuth.     It  nus  kept  an  u preciouit rulic  by  his  widow 

2i 


I. 


153 


LIFE    OK    BUAXT. 


[1776. 


ri.i' 


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I     Ml 


What  were  the  particular  arguments  addressed  to  the  Mo- 
hawk in  the  British  capital,  or  by  what  process  he  became  im- 
pressed with  the  idea  that  the  arms  of  the  King  would,  in  the 
end,  be  victorious  in  the  Colonies,  is  not  known.  It  is  certain, 
liowever,  that  whatever  doubts  he  might  have  entertained,  were 
most  effectually  dispelled  ;  since,  on  taking  leave,  it  was  under- 
stood that  he  pledged  himself  heartily  to  embrace  the  Royal 
cause,  and  promised  to  take  the  field  with  three  thousand  war- 
riors of  his  race.* 

It  is  no  more  than  justice,  however,  to  allow  Captain  Brant 
to  speak  for  himself,  in  regard  to  the  principle  by  which  he  was 
governed  in  his  decision.  In  a  letter  written  by  him  to  Sir 
Evan  Nepean,  the  Under  Secretary  of  State,  when  in  England 
after  the  peace  of  1783,  he  said  : — "  When  I  joined  the  English 
"  in  the  beginning  of  the  war,  it  was  purely  on  account  of  my 
"  forefathers'  engagements  with  the  King.  I  always  looked 
"  upon  these  engagements,  or  covenants  between  the  King  and 
"  the  Indian  nations,  as  a  sacred  thing:  therefore  I  was  not  to 
*'  be  frightened  by  the  threats  of  the  rebels  at  that  time ;  I  as- 
"  sure  you  I  had  no  other  view  in  it,  and  this  was  my  real  case 
"  from  the  beginning." 

By  "  threats  "  in  this  letter  to  the  Under  Secretary,  Brant 
probably  meant  no  more  than  the  efforts  made  by  the  Ameri- 
cans to  prevent  his  joining  the  Royal  standard,  and  to  preserve 
the  neutrality  of  the  Indians.  In  connexion  with  these  efforts, 
there  is  a  scrap  of  unwritten  history,  which,  whether  tr»ie  or 
not,  is  characteristic  of  the  shrewdness  and  dry  sarcastic  humor 

for  four  yenra,  when  it  was  lost.  Slrango  as  it  may  sfeem,  however,  during  tbo  last 
(Summer,  (1S36,)  the  identical  ring  was  found  by  a  little  girl  in  a  ploughed  field 
near  Wellington  Square,  while  the  venerable  Indian  queen  was  on  a  visit  to  hei 
daughter,  the  accomplished  lady  of  Colonel  Kerr.  The  aged  widow  of  the  old 
chief  was  overjoyed  at  onco  more  possessing  the  memento,  after  it  hud  been  lost  six 
and  twenty  years. 

♦  It  appears  that  Colonel  Guy  Johnson  must  have  visited  England  ut  the  same 
time,  or  nearly  the  same  time,  with  Brant.  Perhaps  they  went  together,  although 
Johnson  did  not  return  so  soon.  General  Washington  announced  his  arrival  at 
Staten  Island,  from  England,  on  the  6th  of  August,  1776,  in  a  letter  written  to  the  Pre- 
sidentof  Congress  on  the  8tb,  In  Dtmlap's  History  of  the  American  Stage,  Guy 
Johnson's  name  is  given,  in  1778,  as  one  of  the  managers  of  the  old  Theatre  Royal, 
John-street.  The  players  were  all  nmatcura,  ollicers  of  the  British  army ;  and  tho 
avails  of  their  performances  were  appropriated  for  benevolent  purposes.  Tho  un- 
forlimate  Major  Andre  was  one  of  the  actors  and  tho  scene  painter.  A  drop-cur- 
ttin,  puintwl  by  him,  was  uwed  many  years  afler  his  death. 


il 


fl   i 


,   ^■< 


♦ 


vu 


>MMi 


1776.] 


BATTLE    OF    TIIF.    CEDARS. 


153 


same 
lough 
/al  at 
Pre 
Guy 
oyal, 
id  the 
0  un- 
cur- 


of  the  chief.  It  is  related,  that  during  the  early  part  of  the  year 
1775,  while  it  was  yet  considered  doubtful  which  side  the  Mo- 
hawks would  espouse,  and  when  it  was  of  course  very  desira- 
ble to  ascertain  the  views  of  Brant  upon  the  subject,  President 
Wheelock  was  applied  to  as  a  medium  of  communication  with 
his  former  pupil.  The  Doctor,  aecordin^^  to  the  tradition,  wrote 
him  a  long  epistle  upon  the  aspect  of  the  times,  and  urged 
upon  Brant  those  considerations  which  appeared  most  likely  to 
win  him  over,  or  rather  to  secure  his  neutrality,  if  not  his 
friendship,  to  the  Colonists.  Brant  replied  very  ingeniously. 
Among  other  things,  he  referred  to  his  former  residence  with 
the  Doctor — recalled  the  happy  hours  he  had  passed  under  his 
roof — and  referred  especially  to  his  prayers  and  the  family 
devotions,  to  which  he  had  listened.  He  said  he  could  never 
forget  those  prayers ;  and  one  passage,  in  particular,  was  so 
often  repeated,  that  it  could  never  be  eflaced  from  his  mind.  It 
was,  among  other  of  his  good  preceptor's  petitions,  "  that  they 
"  might  be  able  to  live  as  good  subjects — to  fear  God,  and  ho- 
*'  nor  the  King." 

If  doubt  had  existed  among  the  Colonists  before,  as  to  the  di- 
rection of  the  channel  in  which  ran  his  inclinations,  there  was 
surely  none  after  the  perusal  of  this  letter.  But  scenes  of  a 
more  stirring  character  now  demand  the  attention. 

Toward  the  close  of  the  memorable  Canadian  campaign' — 
so  brilliantly  commenced,  so  successfully  prosecuted  for  many 
months,  and  yet  so  disastrously  terminated, — while  the  shatter- 
ed remains  of  the  American  forces  were  retiring  before  the 
troops  of  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  the  former  experienced  a  sad  dis- 
aster at  "the  Cedars,"  a  point  of  land  ext'  ^  'Ung  far  into  the  St. 
Lawrence,  about  forty  miles  above  Montreo'  whicli  was  occu- 
pied by  Colonel  Bedell  with  three  hundred  and  ninety  Provin- 
cial troops  and  two  field-pieces.  General  Carleton  directed  a 
descent  upon  this  post  from  the  British  station  at  Oswegatchie, 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Forster,  at  the  head  of  one 
company  of  regular  troops  and  a  body  of  Indians  numbering 
nearly  six  hundred.  The  latter  were  led  by  Thayondanegea. 
On  the  appearance  of  the  enemy  before  the  American  works, 
Colonel  Bedell  repaired  immediately  to  Montreal  for  assistance, 
leaving  the  Cedars  in  charge  of  Major  Buttcrfield.  Colonel 
(afterward  General)  Arnold,  who  was  then  in  command  of 


1 


.\ 


^w^ 


li 


I 'I  "\\ 


154 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1776. 


Montreal — not  yet  evacuated  by  the  Americans — forthwith  de- 
tached Major  Sherburne  with  one  hundred  men,  to  proceed  to 
the  Cedars,  and  prepared  to  follow  himself  with  a  much  larger 
force.  Meantime,  however.  Major  Butterfield,  who,  it  was  be- 
lieved, might  have  easily  defended  the  position,  was  intimidated 
hy  a  threat  from  the  enemy,  that,  should  the  siege  continue  and 
any  of  the  Indians  be  slain,  in  the  event  of  an  eventual  sur- 
render it  would  be  impossible  for  the  British  commander  to 
prevent  a  general  massacre,  and  consented  to  a  capitulation,  by 
wliich  the  whole  garrison  became  prisoners  of  war.  Major 
Sherburne  approached  on  the  day  following,  without  having 
received  any  information  of  the  change  of  circumstances  un- 
til within  four  miles  of  the  post,  where,  on  the  20th  of  May, 
he  was  attacked  by  the  Indians,  and  after  a  sharp  conflict  com- 
pelled to  surrender  at  discretion.  No  sooner  had  Arnold  re- 
ceived information  of  these  events,  than  he  marched  against 
the  foe,  then  at  Vaudreuil,  at  the  head  of  seven  hundred  men, 
with  a  view  of  chastising  the  enemy  and  recovering  the  prison- 
ers. "  When  preparing  for  an  engagement,  he  received  a  flag 
"  accompanied  by  Major  Sherburne,  giving  him  the  most  posi- 
"  tive  assurances  that  if  he  persisted  in  his  design,  it  would  be 
"  entirely  out  of  the  power  of  Captain  Forster  to  prevent  his 
"  savages  from  pursuing  their  horrid  customs,  and  disencum- 
"  bering  themselves  of  their  prisoners  by  putting  every  man  to 
"death.  This  massacre  was  already  threatened,  and  Major 
"  Sherburne  confirmed  the  information.  Under  the  influence 
"  of  this  threat,  Arnold  desisted  from  his  purpose,  and  con- 
"  sented  to  a  cartel,  by  which  the  prisoners  were  delivered  up 
"  to  him  ;  he  agreeing,  among  other  things,  not  only  to  deliver 
"  as  many  British  soldiers  in  exchange  for  them,  but  also  that 
"  they  should  immediately  return  to  their  homes."* 

This  disaster,  or,  perhaps,  more  correctly  speaking,  the  con- 
duct of  the  officers  to  whose  coAvardicc  it  was  imputed,  was  a 
source  of  deep  mortification  to  General  Washington,  and  he 
gave  utterance  to  his  vexation  in  several  letters  written  soon 
afterward.  Nor  was  Butterfield  alone  blamed — Colonel  Bedell 
being  placed  in  the  same  category  of  condemnation.!    The 

♦  Marshall's  Life  of  Washington. 

t  "  If  the  accounts  of  Colonel  BedeJl's  and  Major  Butterfield's  conduct  be  true,  they 
have  certainly  acted  a  part  deserving  the  most  exemplary  notice.    I  hope  you  will 


177  &.] 


C.\SE    OP   COL.    M'KINSTRY. 


155 


IP,  they 
ou  will 


Commander-in-Chief  was  likewise  incensed  at  the  conduct  of 
Captain  Forster,  in  resorting  to  deceptive  and  very  unjustifia- 
ble means,  to  procure  hostages  for  ratifying  a  treaty  of  exchange. 
The  name  of  Captain  Brant  is  not  mentioned  in  any  of  the 
books,  in  connexion  with  these  transactions  at  the  Cedars. 
Tiiere  is  positive  evidence,  however,  that  he  was  not  only 
there,  but  that  he  exerted  himself  efficiently  after  the  surrender 
of  M.ijor  Sherburne,  to  control  the  Indians  and  prevent  the 
massacre  of  the  prisoners.  Among  these  latter,  was  Captain  John 
M'Kinstry,*  who  commanded  a  company  on  that  occasion. 
From  his  account  of  the  battle,  Major  Sherburne  fell  into  an 
ambuscade,  and  the  fighting  was  severe.  Captain  M'Kinstry's 
conmiand  was  engaged  sharply  with  a  body  of  Indians,  before 
whom  his  troops  were  several  times  compelled  to  retire.  Ral 
lying,  however,  with  spirit,  tfie  Indians  were  repeatedly  driven 
back  in  turn;  and  the  respective  parties  were  thus  successively 
driven  by  each  other,  back  and  forth,  according  to  the  doubt- 
ful and  varying  fortunes  of  the  hour,  until  the  Americans  were 
overpowered  by  numbers,  and  compelled  to  surrender ;  Captain 
M'Kinstry,  being  wounded,  fell  by  the  side  of  a  tree,  and  was 
there  taken.  He  subsequently  ascertained  that  he  had  been 
marked  as  a  victim  by  the  Indians,  who  had  actually  made  the 
usual  preparations  for  putting  him  to  death  by  the  torture  of 
fire  ;  and  that  he  was  rescued  by  the  personal  exertions  of  Cap- 
tain Brant,  who,  in  connexion  with  some  humane  English  offi- 
cers, made  up  a  purse,  and  purchased  an  ox,  which  the  Indians 
roasted  for  their  carousal  instead  of  the  gallant  prisoner.  Cap- 
tain M'Kinstry  was  treated  with  kindness  while  a  prisoner,  and 
contracted  an  intimacy  with  Brant  which  continued  luitil  the 
chieftain's  death.  Brant  never  visited  the  Hudson,  after  the 
Revolution,  without  spending  a  few  days  with  Colonel  M'Kin- 
stry at  the  Manor  ;t  and  at  the  time  of  his  last  visit,  about  the 
year  1805,  in  company  with  his  friend,  who,  like  himself,  was 
a  member  of  the  brotherhood,  he  attended  the  Freemason's 

tnkc  proper  measure?,  and  liavc  good  courts  appointed  to  bring  them,  and  every 
other  olHcer,  tliat  has  bctn,  or  shall  be,  guilty  of  misconduct,  to  trial ;  that  they  may 
bo  punished  according  to  their  otTonccs.  Our  misfortunes  at  the  Cedars  were  occa* 
B:o:icd,  as  it  is  said,  entirely  by  their  base  and  cowardly  behavior,  and  cannot  be  as* 
crilicd  to  any  other  cause." — Leller  of  Washington  to  General  Schuyler,  Junt  10, 1776. 

♦  Lute  Colonel  M'Kinstry,  of  Livingston's  Manor. 

t  Letter  to  the  author,  from  Qeorso  M'Kinstry,  Esq,  of  Claverack. 


Wv 


)l 


lli  '.\ 


!!l  iii 


m 


156 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1776. 


Lodge  in  the  city  of»Hudson,  where  his  presence  attracted  great 
attention. 

But  to  return.  The  conduct  of  Major  Butterfield  at  the  Ce- 
dars was  likewise  severely  denounced  in  Congress,  and  his 
capitulation  pronounced  by  resolution  '•  a  shameful  surrender." 
Due  credit  was  at  the  same  time  awarded  to  Major  Sherburne, 
ior  the  bravery  displayed  by  himself  and  his  troops,  who  only 
"  surrendered  at  last  on  absolute  necessity."  Notwithstanding, 
moreover,  the  interposition  of  Captain  Brant  to  prevent  a  mas- 
sacre, and  the  rescue  of  Captain  M'Kinstry,  such  outrages  were 
reported  to  Congress  as  to  call  forth  a  series  of  indignant  reso- 
lutions upon  the  subject.  In  the  preamble  to  these  resolutions, 
it  was  stated  that,  immediately  after  the  surrender,  the  prisoners 
were  delivered  over  to  the  Indians ;  their  baggage  plundered, 
their  clothes  taken  from  them,  and  several  of  their  number 
killed  ;  and  one  of  them,  who  had  only  been  wounded,  roasted 
alive.  From  the  circumstance  that  Captain  M'Kinstry  had 
been  wounded,  and  designated  for  the  torture,  though  rescued, 
as  we  have  already  seen,  by  Captain  Brant,  it  is  quite  probable 
that  Congress  was  misinformed  as  to  the  actual  consummation 
of  such  a  purpose  in  the  person  of  any  prisoner.  Assuming 
the  fact,  however,  the  enemy's  conduct  was  denounced  in  the 
strongest  terms — Congress  asserting  the  right  of  demanding 
indemnification  for  the  wrongs  inflicted  upon  the  prisoners  in 
their  persons  and  property ;  and  in  regard  to  ilie  murder  of 
prisoners  by  the  Indians,  requiring  that  the  authors  of  those 
murders  be  delivered  into  their  hands  for  condign  punishment, 
as  a  condition  precedent  to  an  exchange  of  prisoners.  In  re- 
gard to  the  torturing  of  prisoners,  a  resolution  was  also  adopted, 
denouncing,  "  as  the  sole  means  of  stopping  the  progress  of 
human  butchery,"  a  retaliation  of  punishment,  of  the  same  kind 
and  degree,  to  bo  inflicted  upon  a  like  number  of  prisoners  of 
the  enemy,  in  every  case  of  outrage  thereafter  to  occur. 

These  resolutions  were,  in  effect,  a  refusal  to  confirm  the 
treaty  for  the  exchange  of  prisoners  entered  into  by  General 
Arnold,  and  were  so  considered  by  the  commanding  oflicers  in 
Canada.  The  consequence  was,  the  indulgence  of  much  crimi- 
nation and  recrimination,  on  the  part  both  of  the  American 
and  British  commanders.  Indeed,  complaints  of  the  cruel 
treatment  of  the  prisoners  falling  into  their  hands  had  been 


I 


1776.] 


CRUELTY    TO    PRISOXEIIS. 


157 


m  the 
eneral 
cers  ill 
crimi- 
erican 
cruel 
been 


preferred  against  the  enemy  several  months  before,  particularly 
in  the  case  of  Colonel  Ethan  Allen  and  his  fellow-captives. 
Allen  had  been  captured  by  General  Prescott,  by  who:ii,  in  iid- 
dition  to  other  indignities,  he  had  bee:^  heavily  ironed,  and  sent 
like  a  common  felon  to  England.  Prescott  was  afterward 
taken  by  the  Americans  and  treated  with  considerable  rigor, 
in  retaliation  for  the  ill-usage  of  Allen.  This  produced  a  re- 
monstrance from  General  Howe,  who,  on  being  reminded  of 
the  case  of  Allen,  disclaimed  any  responsibility  in  regard  to 
that  transaction,  inasmuch  as  it  was  an  occurrence  in  a  district 
beyond  the  boundaries  of  his  particular  command.  The  af- 
fair of  the  Cedars  excited  the  strongest  feelings  of  indignation, 
not  only  in  Congress  and  among  the  people,  but  in  the  army. 
"  The  inhuman  treatment  of  the  whole,  and  murder  of  part,  of 
"  our  people,  was  certainly  a  flagrant  violation  of  that  faith, 
"  which  onght  to  be  held  sacred  by  all  civiUzed  nations,  and 
"was  founded  in  the  most  savage  barbarity."*  Soon  after- 
ward the  account  was  in  part  balanced,  by  a  diabolical  outrage 
committed  by  an  American  scouting  party  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  St.  John's.  It  was  the  deliberate  assassination,  by  the 
lieutenant  at  the  head  of  the  party,  of  Brigadier- General  Gor- 
don of  the  British  army.  General  Gordon  was  riding  alone, 
\nd  in  full  uniform,  from  Laprairie  to  St.  John's.  The  lieu- 
tenant and  his  party  were  in  ambush  within  the  British  lines, 
and  as  the  General  passed,  the  former  wantonly  and  barbarously 
shot  him  through  the  body.  Although  the  wound  was  mortal, 
the  General  rode  on,  and  speedily  reached  St.  John's,  where  he 
expired.t  This  painful  incident  aroused  as  warm  a  burst  of 
nidignation  among  the  British  officers,  as  the  affair  of  the  Ce- 
dars had  done  among  the  Americans.  Geiieral  Carleton 
availed  himself  of  the  occurrence  to  issue  a  violent,  thousfh  art- 
ful  proclamation,  which  was  pronounced  by  Washington,  in  a 
letter  to  the  President  of  Congress,  to  be  "highly  unbecoming 
"  the  character  of  a  soldier  and  gentleman."  Although  the 
prisoners  were  not  exchanged,  under  the  arrangement  nu  de 
with  Arnold,  yet  Carleton  set  tlie  American  captives  at  liberty, 
on  condition  of  their  returning  to  their  own  homes,  there  to  re- 
main as  prisoners.  Each  of  the  prisoners  was  furnished  with 
a  copy  of  his  insidious  proclamation. 

*  Letter  of  Washington  to  the  President  of  Congress,  July  15,  177(5. 
f  Note  in  vol.  iv.  of  Sparks's  Liie  and  Correspondence  of  Washington. 


"4: 


158 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1776. 


fH 


|j||{fi.l 


1 

U'il' 

4 

'1 

■  ( 

■ 

'II        ;i 

i 

|l 

fi 

'i1 

1    *! 

i 

It  was  not  supposed  that  any  considerable  numbers  of  the  , 
Indians  of  the  Six  Nations  participated  in  the  battle  of  the 
Cedars,  other  than  the  Mohawks  and  their  kindred  tribe,  the 
Caughnawagas,  or  the  Seven  Nations  of  Canada,  as  they  chose 
to  call  themselves.  Indeed,  the  Six  Nations  were  at  that  stage 
of  the  contest  far  from  being  unanimous  in  opposition  to 
the  Colonies  ;  and  at  the  very  time  of  these  occurrences,  a  de- 
putation from  four  of  the  nations  was  at  Philadelphia,  on  a 
peaceable  mission  to  Congress.  The  arrival  of  this  deputation 
was  announced  to  that  assembly  on  the  24th  of  May.  On  the 
llth  of  June  they  were  presented  to  the  House,  preparatory  to 
their  departure,  and  addressed  by  the  President  as  follows :  — 

"Brothers:  We  hope  the  friendship  that  is  between  you 
and  us  will  be  firm,  and  continue  as  long  as  the  sun  shall 
shine  and  the  waters  run,  that  we  and  you  may  be  as  one  people, 
and  have  but  one  heart,  and  be  kind  to  one  another  as  brethren. 

"  Brothers  :  The  King  of  Great  Britain,  hearkening  to  the 
evil  counsel  of  some  of  his  foolish  young  men,  is  angry  with 
us,  because  we  will  not  let  him  take  away  from  us  our  land, 
and  all  that  we  have,  and  give  it  to  them ;  and  because  we  will 
not  do  every  thihg  that  ho  bids  us  ;  and  hath  hindered  his  peo- 
ple from  bringing  goods  to  us,  but  wo  have  made  provision  for 
gettnig  such  a  quantity  of  them,  that  we  hope  we  shall  be  able 
to  supply  your  wants  as  formerly. 

"  Brothers  :  We  shall  order  all  our  warriors  and  young 
men  not  to  hurt  you  or  any  of  your  kindred  ;  and  we  hope  you 
will  not  suffer  any  of  your  young  men  to  join  with  our  enemies, 
or  to  do  any  wrong  to  us,  that  nothing  may  happen  to  make 
any  quarrel  between  us. 

'•  Brothers  :  We  desire  you  to  accept  a  few  necessaries, 
which  wo  present  you  with,  as  tokens  of  our  good-will  toward 
you." 

The  presents  having  been  delivered,  the  Indian  deputies 
expressed  a  desire  to  give  a  name  to  tho  President  of  Congres", 
Permission  for  that  purpose  having  been  granted,  nchief  of  tho 
Onondagas  arose,  and  saluted  tho  President  by  the  name  of 
Ka-ran-dua-ftn,  or  tho  Great  Tree  ;  by  which  name  John  Han- 
cock was  afterward  known  among  tho  Six  Nations. 

Although  it  would  appear  upon  tho  surface  of  these  resohi 
tions,  that  (Congress  was  yet  persevering  in  tho  humano  policy 
of  keeping  the  Indians  in  a  state  of  neutrality,  yet  candor  and 


[1776. 


1  policy 
)r  and 


f- 


177G.] 


EMl'LOVMKNT    OK    INDIAN.^. 


159 


truth  require  a  diflercnt  record.  Much  as  sound  moraUsts  had 
condcinued  the  employment  of  this  species  of  force  in  civihzed 
warfare,  and  strongly  as  Congress  had  exerted  its  influence  tlie 
preceding  year  to  prevent  the  Indians  from  taking  the  field  in 
behalf  of  either  of  the  combatants,  that  policy  was  abandoned. 
On  the  25th  of  May,  1776,  the  Congress  resolved  "  that  it  was 
"highly  expedient  to  engage  the  Indians  in  the  service  of  the 
"  United  Colonies  ;"  and  they  empowered  the  Comriiander-ni- 
Chief  to  employ,  in  Canada  and  elsewhere,  n.  number  not  ck- 
ceeding  two  thousand,  offering  them  "  a  reward  of  one  hun- 
"  dred  dollars  lor  every  commissioned  ollicor,  and  thirty  dollars 
'*  for  every  private  soldier  of  the  King's  troops,  tiiat  they  should 
''take  prisoner  in  tlie  Indian  country,  or  on  the  frontiers  of 
"  these  Colonies."  The  Congress  also  authorized  General 
Washington  to  employ  the  Indians  of  Penobscot,  St.  John's, 
and  Nova  Scotia,  who  had  proffered  their  services,  and  were 
to  receive  the  same  pay  as  the  Continental  soldiers.* 

Whether  any  of  those  Eastern  Indians  were  ever  actually 
engaged  in  the  American  service,  is  not  known.  In  regnrd  to 
the  employment  of  the  Northern  Indians,  Washington  forth- 
witli  entered  into  a  correspondence  with  General  Schuyler  up- 
on tlicsul)ject,  and  pressed  him  to  carry  the  resolutions  into  ef- 
fect. The  latter,  however,  was  averse  to  the  measure— as 
much  so  as  at  the  first.  He  disliked  to  employ  such  a  force 
under  any  circumstances,  contending  that  tliey  were  too  ficklo 
and  uncertain  to  allow  iuiy  well-founded  reliance  to  be  placed 
upon  them  at  the  moment  of  emergency.  At  that  particular 
conjuueture,  especially  when  om*  troops,  broken  and  dispersed, 
were  flying  like  fugitives  from  Canada,  he  thought  the  chances 
of  obtaining  Indian  auxiliaries  exceedingly  slender  ;  and  as  to 
t!ie  number  prescribed,  (two  tliousand,)  the  (Jeneral  intimated 
111  one  of  his  letters  to  the  Commander-in-Chief,  that  it  would 
have  been  well  if  Congress  had  condescended  to  inform  him 
wheru  so  many  Indian  warriors,  not  idready  in  the  service 

•  SimrUs'n  Lilliund  for.  of  Wiinhiiijjton,  vol.  iv.,  Appptidix.  [Mr.  S|mrkiiiOfim!i 
tu  liavo  I'kllon  into  an  crrur  ai  to  the  iinnnMliiito  niotivu  of  Coni;r(>Nii  in  ohaniriDi;  it* 
Iiidiiui  policy  lit  liii-«  liiai'.  IIolouvo  |ii»  rinidcrM  to  iiiftT,  timt  tlio  inoasuro  wii* 
uni)  of  rctiilitklioii  lur  lli>> coiiduct  ol' lint  liiitinli  und  liidiuii.t  ut  tlin  Ct'durx.  Hut  niicIi 
ooidd  not  liuvQ  bcoii  tlio  I'uct.  Tlio  biitllo  uf  tliu  Caduis  wrnt  fuii^lit  nn  the  30(1)  of 
Miiy,  und  I'liw  rcwi.lnlion'*  wcro  pti^nod  on  Uio  'J Jlli— Imloru  tlio  nown,  in  those  dnji, 
vunUi  |)0!«!<il)iy  Imve  rtiuuhud  ritiludol|)lii.i.| 


1"ti 


160 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1776. 


It  II 


1'    '"l':l 

1 

V     1 

t'  , 

1,  * 

Ti     I 

; 

1 

1'  ".' 

' 

1  , 

t 

II 

'  .i 


if 


of  the  enemy,  were  to  be  found.  In  short,  General  Schuyler's 
opinion  was  correct  from  the  beginning,  that  the  Colonies  could 
expect  no  essential  aid  from  the  Indians ;  and  whatever  aid 
they  might  receivp,  would  be  sure  to  cost  more  than  it  would 
come  to.  So  the  event  proved.  But,  although  the  British 
profited  most  by  the  employment  of  the  Indians,  they  are  not 
alone  to  blame  for  using  them.  So  far,  certainly,  as  principle 
and  intention  are  concerned,  the  Americans  are  equitably  enti- 
tled to  a  due  sbarc  of  the  censure.* 

In  recurring  to  coincident  events  transpiring  in  other  parts  of 
the  country,  it  must  be  remarked,  that  the  Commander-in- 
Chief  was  often  placed  in  circumstances  not  the  most  promis- 
ing. On  his  first  arrival  at  the  camp  before  Bo':ton,  the  pre- 
ceding year,  he  had  found  only  "  the  materials  for  a  good 
"  army  " — not  the  organized  army  itself  The  troops  were 
mostly  undisciplined  ;  and  having  taken  arms  to  fight  for  li- 
berty, it  was  no  easy  matter  to  bring  them  into  those  habits  of 
subordination,  which  necessarily  render  a  soldier  ji  mere  ma- 
chine to  be  moved  at  the  will  of  his  commander.  The  first 
object  of  General  Washington,  therefore,  was  to  bring  the 
troops  into  a  slate  of  discipline.  But  another  difficulty  pre- 
sented itself  in  tile  fact,  that,  owing  to  the  short  periods  of  en- 
listment, the  times  of  service  of  the  greater  portion  of  the 
army  were  to  expire  in  November  and  December.  To  which 
was  added  the  oinbarrassing  discovery,  that  all  the  powder  at 
his  command  was  barely  suiricient  to  supply  nine  rounds  of 
cartridges  per  nuui.  There  was,  moreover,  a  general  want  of 
camp  equipage  and  clothing,  and  indeed  of  every  thing  neces- 
sary alike  to  the  comfort  and  the  efficiency  of  an  army.  But 
Heaven,  in  its  mercy,  seemed  to  have  devolved  the  command 
upon  the  man  of  all  others  best  calculated  to  moot  the  emer- 
gency and  overcome  it.  His  destitution  of  ammimition  was 
artfiilly  rmd  eHVictually  concealed  from  the  enemy;  and  al- 
though, on  the  discharge  of  those  of  his  troops  who  would  not 
re-enlist,  at  the  close  of  December,  (1775,)  he  had  no  more 
than  9t)5()  men  lell,  he  yet  contrived  to  sustain  hiinself  and 
keep  the  enemy  beleaguered  in  Boston  dtning  the  whole  winter. 
"It  is   not   in   the  pages  of  history,   perhaps,"   ho  wrote   to 


r 


1 ,  M 


1770.  J 


GRXEKAI-    PROGltESS    OP    THE    WAR. 


161 


^1 


Congress,  "to  furnish  a  cose  like  ours.  To  maintain  a  post 
"  within  musket  shot  of  the  enemy  for  six  montlis  together, 
"  without  ammunitioii,  and  at  the  same  time  to  disband  one 
"  army  and  recruit  another,  within  that  distance  of  twenty  odd 
"  British  regiments,  is  more,  probably,  than  was  ever  at- 
"  tempted."* 

The  Continental  Congress  had  been  induced  by  the  influence 
of  the  Commander-in-chief  to  resolve  upon  the  raising  of  an 
army  of  75,000  men,  to  be  enlisted  for  the  term  of  three  years,  or 
during  the  war.  It  was  not  until  January,  however,  that  they 
could  be  induced  to  offer  bounties  for  enlistments ;  and  even 
then  the  ranks  were  not  rapidly  filled.  At  tiio  close  of  February, 
the  whole  effective  fierce  of  the  Americans  was  no  more  than 
14,000  men,  exclusive  of  6000  of  the  Massachusetts  militia. 
An  assault  upon  Boston  had  been  'leditated  in  B'ebruary  by 
General  Washington  ;  but  the  opinion  of  his  principal  officers, 
as  expressed  in  a  council  of  war,  being  strongly  ngainst  such 
a  movement,  the  entorprize  was  reluctantly  abandoned.  Wearied 
by  inaction,  the  next  project  of  the  American  commander  was 
to  take  possession  of  boi Chester  Heights — a  position  command- 
ing the  town  of  Boston,  the  occupation  of  which  would  compel 
General  Howe  either  to  attempt  its  dispossession  by  the  Ameri- 
cans, or  to  evacuate  the  town.  The  enterprize  was  so  well 
planned,  as  to  be  executed  by  General  Thomas  with  complete 
and  brilliant  success,  on  the  night  of  the  4th  of  March. 
Having  diverted  the  attention  of  the  enemy  by  a  bombardment 
of  his  lines  in  another  direction,  the  movement  was  unpcr- 
ceived.  The  weather  being  mild,  the  American  troops  were 
enabled  to  labor  with  energy  in  throwing  up  defences,  which, 
on  tht'  following  morning,  struck  the  General  of  the  British 
army  with  astonislinnMit,  from  their  sudden  apf)earance  and 
their  magnitude.  A  heavy  atmosphere  contributed  to  magnify 
the  height  of  ihe  works,  and  increase  the  wonder  of  the  foe. 
Sir  William  Howe  made  immediato  preparations  to  drive  tho 
Americans  from  their  new,  and,  to  him,  dimgerous  position  ; 
for  which  purpose  two  thousand  choice  troops  were  embarked 
to  cross  over  the  same  evening  ;  but  a  severe  tempest  frustrated 
his  design.    On  tho  following  uioruing  General  Howe  con- 


1) 


)*"■ 


,  I 


•  riolmca'i  Annol*. 


102 


LIKE    OF    ERAXT. 


[1776. 


li'^ 


$ 


r  'I'^'i!! 


vencd  a  council  of  war,  at  which  it  was  resolved  to  evacuate 
the  town  as  soon  as  possible.  This  determination  was  carried 
into  execution  on  tlie  17th,  by  the  embarkation  of  the  whole 
British  army,  and  the  sailing  of  the  fleet — first  to  Ilalifox — but 
Tiltimately,  as  the  event  proved,  for  New- York.  On  the  same 
day  General  Washington  entered  Boston  in  triumph,  and  was 
hailed  by  the  universal  acclaim  of  the  people  as  their  deliverer. 
Thus  was  the  town  which  first  raised  the  stiuidard  of  rebellion, 
the  first  to  rejoice  at  the  final  retreat  of  its  oppressors.  Nor  was 
it  the  fortune  of  the  invaders  ever  to  set  foot  there  again. 

In  the  North,  the  operations  of  the  Provincial  army  had  been 
far  less  propitious.     The  conquest  of  Canada  was  a  favorite 
project  with  Congress,  and  every  possible  eflfort  Avithin  the 
slender  means  of  the  Colonies  was  made  to  that  end.     But  the 
fall  of  Montgomery  had  thrown  a  gloom  over  the  enterprise 
which  wns  never  dissipated.     Colonel,  now  General  Arnold, 
liad  maintained  himself  before  Quebec  during  the  winter,  and 
until  late  in  the  spring,  with  but  a  handful  of  men — number- 
ing, at  one  time,  not  more  than  five  hundred  effectives.     But 
the  reinforcements  were  slow  in  arriving ;  the  Canadians,  from 
a  variety  of  causes — the  principal  of  which,  beyond  doubt, 
was  bad  treatment  from  an  undisciplined  soldiery — became 
loss  friendly  to  the  Americans  than  at  first,  notwithstanding  the 
)nission  of  Messrs.  Franklin,  Chase,  and  Carroll,  accomjianicd 
l)y  a  Catholic  priest,  to  conciliate  them  ;  and  on  the  arrival  of 
(General  Wooster  at  his  quarters,  about  the  1st  of  April,  Arnold 
obt.iiiied  leave  of  absence,  and  took  the  command  at  Montreal. 
General  Thomas,  who  Iiad  been  assigned  to  the  command  of 
the  army  in  Canada,  after  the  cxjjloit  of  Gloucester  Heights, 
arrived  before  Uuebec  on  the  1st  of  May,  where  lie  foimd  an 
army  of  nineti'en   hinidred  men,   less  than  one  thousand  of 
whom  W(!re  efieclive,  and  three  hundred  of  these,  being  entitled 
to  their  discharge,  refused  to  perform  duty.     They  had  but  one 
luuulred  and  fifty  barrels  of  powder,  and  six  dnys'  provisions. 
Well  knowing  that  with  the  opening  of  the  uiwigalion,  Sk 
Guy  CiU'leton's  expected  reinforcements  would  arrive,  the  cir- 
cumstances in  which  lie  was  placed  wore  altogether  so  lUi- 
promising,  that  (Jenoral  Thomas,  with  tlin  concurrence  of  a 
cotuicil  of  war,  determined  to  raise  the  siege  on  the  5th  of 
May,  and  assume  a  more  eligible  position  farther  up  the  river. 


0  cir- 
im- 

of  (I 

■>th  of 
:ivor, 


1770.] 


EVACUATION    OF    CANADA. 


1G3 


It  was  the  intention  of  tlie  American  commander  to  remove 
the  sick  to  Tiircc  Rivers  ;  hut  on  the  6tli,  before  the  arrange- 
ments for  retreating  were  all  concerted,  a  British  fleet,  with 
reinforcements,  arrived,  Gcroral  Carleton  immediately  made 
a  sortie  at  the  head  of  one  thousand  men  ;  to  oppose  whom, 
General  Thomas  had  not  more  than  three  hundred  available 
troops.  No  other  course  remained,  therefore,  but  a  preci- 
pitate retreat  for  all  who  could  get  away — leaving  the  sick 
and  the  military  stores  to  the  enemy.  General  Thomas  led  his 
litllc  band  back  to  the  mouth  of  the  Sorcl,  where  he  was 
seized  witii  the  small-pox,  and  died.  Large  reinforcements 
joined  the  fugitive  army  at  that  place,  under  General  Sullivan. 
Ijefore  General-  Carleton  moved  from  duebec,  an  expedition 
was  undertaken  from  Sorcl  to  the  Three  Rivers,  against  Gene- 
ral Frasier,  under  the  direction  of  General  Thompson  and 
Colonel  St.  t'lair.  It  was  unsuccessful ;  from  which  time  dis- 
aster followed  disaster,  luitil,  owing  to  the  combincjd  causes  of 
defeat,  sickness,  and  insubordination,  the  Americans  found 
themselves,  on  the  18th  of  June,  driven  entirely  out  of  Canada  ; 
the  British  army  following  so  closely  upon  their  heels,  as  im- 
mediately to  occupy  the  diflerent  posts  as  they  were  successive- 
ly evacuatrd. 

The  Americans,  however,  still  retained  the  control  of  Lake 
Chauiplain,  and  occupied  the  fortifications  upon  its  shores, 
the  command  of  which  had  now  been  assigned  by  Congress 
to  General  Gates,  with  great  and  manifest  injustice  toward  Ge- 
neral Schuyler.*  Gates  at  fur',  .siiiblished  his  headipiarters  at 
Crown  Point,  but  soon  afterward  witiidrew  his  forces  from  that 
post,  and  fell  back  upon  Ticonderoga.     This  step  was  taken 

*  The  nppuintnu'iit  (■!  (iiitps  to  tlio  coniiiiand  of  lliis  (Icjuiitincnt,  was  from  tho 
fust  iiinH'ct'|>tiibU)  to  tho  oliicciH  of  Ncw-T ork,  nor  was  liis  own  coinsn  vrry  concili- 
iitory  tovviu'd  tlicni.  In  tlin  courso  of  ll»c  pniscnl  SuninKT,  it  was  rcpoitcil  to  Lieu- 
tcniiiil-ColoiH'l  (iiin<<('vnoil,  u  l)riivp  anil  dcsrivcdly  juipidiir  olliccr,  In  loiii^inj;  to  the 
r(>i',iini'i\t  of  r'olontl  Van  Sdiuick,  niul  llicn  in  conunund  of  Fort  ("Ji'or;;;n  at  the  liond 
of  tiio  luko  of  tliat  nnn>r,  timt  tlio  Ocncrul  hiid  Hpokcn  disrfupcc.lfiilly  of  that  rcsji- 
mcnt,  and  also  of  tlic  rc^iincnlM  of  ( 'oloncls  Wynkoop  and  {''i-^licr.  His  leltprs  to 
('ol.  Ganxnvoort  wprfuiini'ci'ssnrily  iiarsli  ai\d  pragmatical  m  nim'li  so  as  justly  to 
give  ofKiicn.  Irritatod  by  siitli  Irratnipnt,  fiansfvonrt  wrote  ti  spirited  loiter  to 
(tntc",  rcfi'rrinn  to  scvi'val  niatlors  in  wiiirli  \w  iuid  been  a'j;!;ri(V('d  by  tito  letters  and 
cnnverKation  of  that  oHiecr.  Ilo  reijncsted  u  Court  of  Inipiiry,  nnd  avowed  hi*  do- 
ttruiinatiou,  with  ti\o  leave  of  C»en.  Selniytor,  to  rclin(pfHh  llie  couniumd  of  the 
jiogt.— ,1/«j.  Ictttvs  nfGulc)  and  Co/.  (t«nsfi'ooi'<  I'li  the  ttullioi's posumhti. 


il 


i'i'l 


i 


'I 


ri 


i  'i 


,  If; 


V  '    ii  "'  f 


}-        ;ii 


164 


LIFE    OF    BUANT. 


[1770. 


by  the  advice  and  concurrence  of  a  board  of  general  officers, 
but  contrary  to  the  wishes  of  the  field  officers.  The  Comman- 
der-in-chief was  exceedinjjly  dissatisfi.ed  with  this  movement  of 
Gates,  beheving  that  the  rehnquishment  of  that  post,  in  its  conse- 
quences, would  be  equivalent  to  an  abandonment  of  Lakes 
Georjre  and  Champlain,  and  all  the  advantages  to  be  derived 
therefrom.*  In  reply  to  the  concern  that  had  been  expressed 
by  Washington  on  the  occasion,  Generr.l  Gates  contended  that 
Crown  Point  was  untenable  with  the  forces  then  under  his 
command,  nor  could  it  be  successfully  defended  even  with  the 
aid  of  the  expected  reinforcements.  These  reinforcements, 
moreover,  the  General  added,  could  not  be  allowed  to  approach 
nearer  to  Crown  Point  than  SUenesborough,  since  "  it  would 
"be  only  heaping  one  hospital  upon  another."t  The  annals 
of  disastrous  war  scarce  present  a  more  deplorable  picture  than 
that  exhibited  by  the  Americans  escaping  from  Canada.  In 
addition  to  the  small  pox,  the  army  had  been  afflicted  by  other 
diseases,  generated  by  exposure,  destitution,  and  laxity  of  dis- 
cipline. Fleets  of  boats  came  up  the  lake,  freighted  with  the 
sick  and  dying  ;  and  even  tliosc  reported  from  day  to  day  fit 
for  duty,  presented  but  the  appearance  of  a  haggard  skele- 
ton of  an  army.  "  Every  thing  about  tliis  army,"  said  Gene- 
ral Gates  in  the  letter  already  cited,  "  is  infected  with  the  pes- 
"  tilence ;  the  clothes,  the  blankets,  the  air,  and  the  ground 
"  they  walk  upon.  To  put  this  evil  from  us,  a  general  hospi- 
"  tal  is  establisiied  at  Fort  George,t  where  there  are  now  be- 
"  tween  two  and  three  thousand  sick,  and  where  every  infected 
"  person  is  immediately  sent.  But  this  care  and  caution  have 
"  not  eflcctually  destroyed  the  disease  here ;  it  is,  notwithstand- 
"  ing,  continually  breaking  out." II 
Such  was  the  deplorable  condition  in  whicli  nn  army,  so  ro- 

♦  Letter  of  Wusliingfoii  to  Gon.  Gntoa,  .July  19,  1770. 

I  Letter  of  Gun.  Gates  to  Wn8lui»<^t()n  in  rrply,  July  28.  Tlio  small  pox,  which 
hiid  been  so  futii!  to  llie  tionpa  in  C'nniulu,  liml  now  bioki-n  out  nt  Crown  Point  and 
Tii'ondcrogn — the  pcslilenco  hnving  l)een  purposely  introduced  l>y  a  villain  calling 
liiniai'lf  Doctor  Barker.  This  fact  is  staled  in  n  letter  from  the  Adjntant-Generul  ol 
the  Northern  Department  to  Colonel  'Itiinsevoort,  dated  from  Ticonderoga,  July  24. 
"Tho  villain,"  saya  the  letter,  "by  private  inoculations  in  the  army,  has  caused,  in 
a  great  degree,  tho  misery  to  which  wo  aro  reduced  by  that  infectious  disorder." 
Barker  was  arrested,  and  sent  to  Albany. — J»/4J.  Utter  of  Colontl  Trumbull  to  Col, 
tianitvoort. 

I  At  the  head  of  Lake  George.  ||  Sparks. 


i 


1776.] 


GENERAL    PROGRESS    OP    THE    WAR. 


165 


i 


cently  victorious,  had  been  driven  back  from  what  v.'as  in  fact 
a  conquered  country,  lost  entirely  through  misnianogement, 
and  the  want  of  an  army  upon  the  basis  of  permanent  enlist- 
ment. Added  to  which,  was  another  difficulty  lying  beneath 
the  surface.  Many  prisoners  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy  at  Quebec  and  during  the  subsequent  retreat.  Toward 
all  these,  the  conduct  of  Sir  Guy  Carleton  had  been  most  poli- 
tic. They  had  been  treated  with  the  greatest  care  and  human- 
ity, and  so  much  of  the  subtle  poison  of  flattery,  mingled  with 
kindness,  had  been  poured  into  their  ears,  that  their  return  on 
parole,  which  was  presently  allowed  by  the  British  commander, 
was  regarded  with  apprehension.*  On  one  occasion,  a  Invffe 
number  of  prisoners  arriving  at  Crown  Point  from  St.  John's,  in 
a  vessel  provided  by  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  were  visited,  before  land- 
ing, by  Colonel  John  Trumbull,  the  Adjutant-General  for  the 
Northern  Department.  From  the  feelings  they  manitested,  and 
the  tenor  of  their  conversation.  Colonel  Trumbull  saw  at  once 
that  it  would  not  be  prudent  to  allow  thom  to  land,  or  hold  the 
least  intercourse  with  the  suffering  troops  of  the  garrison.  He 
immediately  reported  the  fact  to  the  General,  and  advised  that  tiie 
said  prisoners  should  be  sent  directly  forward  to  Skonesborough, 
and  despatched  to  their  respective  homes,  without  allowing 

♦  "  Althougli  Gennral  Carleton  lind  acquiesced  in  the  Iinrsli  treatment  of  Ethan 
Allen,  yet  the  prisoners  who  fell  into  his  hands  n)et  with  usage  in  every  n.spect  as 
good  U8  that  of  the  British  soldiers,  except  in  tho  necessary  restraints  of  contincinenf. 
Tliis  was  declared  in  a  letter  to  WashinL;ti>n  from  Miijor  Meii^",  when  he  returned 
on  his  parole  the  Summer  followini;.  The  aoldicra  were  confined  in  tiie  J^snits' 
College,  and  the  oftieers  in  tho  Seminary.  Tho  lullor,  after  tiie  siego  was  riiisi'd, 
had  permission  to  walk  in  a  large  garden  adjoining  their  quarters.  Major  Meigs 
left  three  hundred  prisoners  in  Clnehcc  ahout  the  middle  of  May.  WIkmi  they  wero 
released  for  exchange,  General  Carleton  supplied  them  with  articles  of  clothing,  in 
which  they  were  deficient.  It  was  snid,  thiit  when  some  of  his  olficers  spoke  to  hiin 
of  this  act,  as  an  unusual  degree  of  lenity  toward  prisoners  of  war,  he  replied,—* 
"Since  we  Imvo  tried  in  vuin  to  make  thom  acknowledge  us  as  brothers,  let  us  ut 
least  send  thom  away  disposed  to  regard  us  os  first  cousins."  Having  boon  in- 
formed ihiil  many  persons  sulfiriug  from  woimds  and  various  disorders  were  cnn- 
ceali'd  in  the  woods  and  oh^^cure  places,  fearing  tliut  if  they  appeared  openly  they 
would  bo  seized  as  prisoners  and  severely  treated  ;  he  issued  a  proclamation  com- 
manding the  militia  olReers  to  search  for  such  persons,  bring  them  to  the  general 
hospital,  and  procure  for  them  all  nccossory  relief  at  tho  public  chnme.  Ho  also 
invited  all  such  persons  to  como  forward  voluntarily,  and  receive  the  assistance  they 
needed ;  assuring  them,  "  that  as  soon  as  their  health  shoidd  be  restored,  they  should 
•' have  free  liberty  to  ruturn  to  thoir  rospcclivo  provinces." — UpHiks. 


i..    i 


■r^ 


;' 


f;,. 


if-'    '^ 


I  ml 


166 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[177G. 


them  to  mingle  with  the  troops  at  that  place.     The  suggestion 
was  adopted.* 

Nor  were  the  difficulties  enumerated,  all  whicli  the  officers 
had  to  encounter.  Tlie  spirit  of  disaffection  was  far  more  ex- 
tensive than  those  who  are  left  to  contemplate  the  scenes 
through  which  their  fathers  passed,  and  the  discouragcmont.s 
against  which  they  were  compelled  to  struggle,  have  been  wont 
to  suppose.  The  burden  of  many  of  General  Schuyler's  let- 
ters, and  also  the  letters  of  other  officers,  during  the  whole  of 
this  season,  was  the  frequency  of  desertions  to  the  ranks  of  the 
enemy. 

Glancing  for  a  moment  at  the  situation  of  affairs  at  tl:- 
south,  the  gloom  of  the  picture  is  somewhat  relieved.  The 
r-pedition  of  General  Clinton  and  Sir  Peter  Parker,  for  the  re- 
duction of  Charleston,  had  signally  failed.  The  defence  of  the 
fort  bearing  his  own  name,  by  Colonel  Moultrie,  was  one  of 
the  most  gallant  exploits  of  the  whole  contest,  and  served  to 
lighten  the  despondency  that  had  been  produced  by  the  disas- 
ters we  have  been  sketching  at  the  north.  It  was  at  this  placo 
that  the  celebrated  Sergeant  Jasper  signalized  himself,  when 
the  flag-staff  was  shot  away,  by  leaping  from  the  parapef  of  the 
fort  upon  the  beach,  seizing  the  flag,  and,  amid  the  incessant 
firing  of  the  fleet,  mounting,  and  again  placing  it  on  the  ran^. 
part.t  r 

But  the  grand  event  of  tlie  year,  the  transactions  of  Avhich 
are  now  under  review,  was  the  Declauation  of  Ixbkpkn- 
DENCE,  a  motion  for  which  was  submitted  in  Congress  by 
Richard  Henry  Lee,  of  Yirginia,  on  the  7th  of  June,  and  the 
Declaration  itself  solemnly  adopted  on  the  '1th  of  July.  This 
measure  at  once  cut  ofl'  all  hope  of  reconciliation  with  the  pa- 
rent country,  and  all  prospect  of  a  termination  of  the  war,  un- 
less by  the  complete  iriumph  in  arms  of  one  party  or  the  other. 
Such  a  declaration  was  an  event  not  originally  anticipated, 
even  if  desired,  by  the  mass  of  the  people  ;  although  it  had  im- 
questionahly,  and  h'om  the  first,  entered  into  the  calculations  of 
the  daring  master  spirits  of  the  movement  in  Boston.  It  had 
furthermore  been  greatly  accelerated  by  the  conduct   of  the 

♦  Convorsuli'iiis  of  the  uullior  wi  li  tlic  venoiable  Colonel  Truinbull,  while  these 
pn'.;(^s  were  iiiuirr  rrviaion. 

I  GarJeii'3  Aiiccdoles  oflliu  Ainciicaii  Ho\oliitioii. 


!'• 

'* 


10  pa- 
ir, im- 
jotlior. 
jpalecl, 
kI  vin- 
mis  of 
t  IkuI 
If  the 

lie  theso 


1776.] 


AFFAIRS    IN    ■rilYON'    COUNT V. 


167 


British  government  itself,  during  the  preceding  session  of  Par- 
Hament,  by  act  of  which  the  Americans  had  been  declared  out 
of  the  Royal  protection  ;  so  widely  mistaken  had  been  the  Con- 
gress of  the  preceding  year,  which  had  adjourned  with  strong 
hopes  that  the  differences  between  the  two  countries  would 
soon  be  adjusted  to  their  mutual  satisfaction.*  At  the  same 
time  the  parent  government  was  putting  forth  its  utmost  ener- 
gies to  crush  the  Colonies  at  a  blow.  For  this  purpos-e,  25,000  , 
British  troops  were  to  be  employed,  in  addition  to  17,000  Ger- 
man mercenaries  purchased  from  the  Landgrave  of  Hesse 
Cassel,  the  Duke  of  Brunswick,  and  the  Count  of  Hanau. 
These  troops,  togf  ther  with  the  Canadian  recruits,  the  American 
loyalists,  and  the  Indians,  it  was  intended  should  constitute  an 
invading  force  of  55,000  men.  With  such  preparations  in 
prospect  against  them,  it  was  no  time  for  inactivity  on  the  part 
of  the  Colonists ;  and  having  by  the  Declaration  thrown  away 
the  scabbard  of  the  sword  that  had  been  drawn  fifteen  months 
before,  there  was  no  alternative  but  resistance  to  the  end. 

Recurring,  for  a  brief  space,  to  the  history  proper  of  the 
Mohawk  Valley,  it  may  be  assumed,  in  behalf  of  its  patriotic 
population,  that  the  new  attitude  of  the  country  was  neither 
unexpected  nor  unwelcome.  On  the  contrary,  having  been 
rf  among  the  earliest  to  propose  a  separation,  the  great  act  of  the 
4th  of  July  was  nowhere  more  cordially  received  than  by  the 
Whigs  of  Tryon  County.  Nor  did  they  fiilter  in  their  purposes 
of  sustaining  the  cause  in  which  the  country  had  embarked, 
amid  all  the  disasters  of  the  early  part  of  the  season  or  those 
that  followed.  In  their  own  section  of  country,  however,  the 
flight  of  Sir  John  Johnson  and  his  retainers  was  the  only  im- 
portant incident  occurring  during  that  memorable  year.  Still, 
there  was  no  relaxation  of  vigilance,  or  of  preparation  for  the 
worst,  should  the  storm  of  war,  so  long  muttering  in  the  dis- 
tance, actually  break  upon  those  settlements.  The  frontiers 
were  at  all  times  liable  to  the  sudden  irruptions  of  savages,  and 
it  was  necessary  to  keep  scouting  parties  continually  upon 
the  alert.  Cherry  Valley  being  the  principal  settlement  south 
of  the  Mohawk,  and  lying  directly  in  the  line  of  communica- 
tion between  the  Mohawk  Castles  and  the  Indian  post  at  Ogh- 

•  Maralmll's  LiCu  ofWa'liinigtDii,  Vul.  I.  Clmn.  iv, 

20 


n\ 


168 


LIFK    OK    BRANT. 


[1776. 


I: 


1  -I    i    tJii 


i: 


m  m 


"C 


I!   ■<! 


^ 


kwaga,*  was  particularly  exposed.  Early  in  the  present  Sum- 
mer, therefore,  a  company  of  rangers  was  organized  under  the 
command  of  Captain  Robert  M'Kean.  The  public  service  re- 
quiring the  Captain  and  his  little  corps  elsewhere,  the  in- 
habitants strongly  remonstrated  with  the  Committee  of  Safety 
against  the  removal  of  that  corps,  but  without  effect.  They 
next  addressed  themselves  to  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New- 
York,  and  by  a  forcible  and  eloquent  appeal,  obtained  another 
company  of  rangers  to  be  stationed  among  them  under  the 
command  of  Captain  Winn.t  These  papers  were  written  with 
ability,  and  with  the  energy  of  men  in  earnest.  They  had 
even  then  received,  through  their  missionaries,  intimations  that 
Sir  John  Johnson  and  Colonel  John  Butler  were  instigating 
the  Indians  to  make  a  descent  upon  them  ;  and  already  were 
the  scattered  settlers  in  other  and  newer  locations  coming  in  to 
Cherry  Valley  for  protection.  Apprehending,  also,  sudden  ir- 
ruptions of  scalping  parties,  the  aged,  and  such  as  from  other 
causes  were  exempt  from  military  service,  now  organized 
themselves  into  a  company  for  the  protection  of  the  settlement. 
In  the  course  of  the  season  General  Schuyler  was  directed 
by  Congress  to  cause  Fort  Stanwix  to  be  strengthened,  and 
other  fortifications  to  be  erected  at  proper  places  along  the  Mo- 
hawk river.  Colonels  Van  Schaick  and  Dayton  had  previously 
been  stationed  in  Tryon  County  with  detachments  of  regular 
troops — the  former  at  Johnstown  and  the  latter  at  German  Flatts. 
Upon  Colonel  Dayton  was  imposed  the  duty  of  carrying  for- 
ward the  works  at  Fort  Stanwix,  for  which  purpose  the  Tryon 
County  militia  were  ordered  to  his  assistance.  The  site  of 
that  military  defence  had  early  been  improved,  as  one  of  the 
most  important  inland  posts  of  the  Colonies.  It  was  originally 
built  early  in  1758,  during  the  French  war  of  1755 — 61, 
by  General  Stanwix,  for  the  purpose  of  commanding  the  car- 
rying-place between  the  Mohawk  River  and  Wood  Creek, 
leading  into  the  Oneida  Lake,  and  thence  into  Lake  Ontario, 

*  As  with  most  other  Indian  names,  thcru  ia  difficulty  resprcting  the  correct  or- 
thography of  this  place.  It  ia  apeit  Oquaga,  Oghquaga,  and  aonietimes  Oneaquaga. 
Brant  and  John  Norton,  however,  were  wont  to  apcll  it  Oghkwaga.  I  have  adopted 
the  latter  method,  as  supported  by  the  beat  authorities. — Author. 

t  The  names  of  the  Cherry  Valley  Committee  who  took  the  lead  in  these  mat* 
tera,  were,  John  Moore,  Samuel  Clyde,  Samuel  Campbell,  Samuel  Dunlop,  James 
Scott,  Robert  Wclla,  James  tlichey,  an  1  .'amca  Moore. 


1776.] 


GENEUAL    PROGRESS    OP    THE    WAR. 


109 


by  the  Oswego  river.*  There  were  several  other  fortifications 
at  different  points  of  the  narrow  strip  of  land  between  the  two 
streams  aheady  mentioned,  such  as  Fort  Bull  and  Fort  New- 
port ;  the  former  commanding  the  Creek,  about  three  miles 
distant.  These  were  strong  redoubts ;  but  Fort  Stanwix  was  com- 
paratively a  formidable  work,  having  its  bomb-proofs,  its  sally- 
port, and  a  covered  way  to  the  spring  brook.  Altogether 
these  works  formed  an  ample  defence  of  the  key  from  Upper 
Canada  to  the  Mohawk  Valley,  and  were  likewise  of  signal 
service  for  the  protection  they  afforded  to  the  Indian  trade. 
But,  although  the  principal  fortress  had  been  erected  at  the 
great  expense — enormous  in  those  times — rS  266,400  dollars, 
yet  the  commencement  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution  found 
the  whole  in  ruins.  Colonel  Dayton  appears  to  have  made  but 
little  progress  in  re-building  the  fort,  since  it  will  be  found 
that  other  officers  had  the  works  in  charge  early  in  the  follow- 
ing year,  and  they  were  far  from  complete  when  subsequently 
invested  by  the  motley  forces  of  General  St.  Leger.  Colonel 
Dayton,  however,  thought  proper  to  change  its  name  in  honor 
of  the  General  commanding  the  Northern  department,  and  it 
was  subsequently  known  as  Fort  Schuyler  during  the  residue 
of  the  war.t 

A  rapid  glance  at  the  other  warlike  events  of  the  season 
will  close  the  history  of  the  year.  Anticipating,  on  the  evacu- 
ation of  Boston  by  General  Howe,  that  his  next  point  of  attack 
would  be  New- York,  General  Lee  was  detached  by  the  Com- 
mander-in-chief with  a  portion  of  the  army,  to  put  Long 
Island  and  the  harbor  of  New- York  in  a  posture  of  defence. 
Washington  followed  soon  afterward  himself,  and  established 
his  head-quarters  in  the  city.  Having  been  joined  by  his 
brother.  Lord  Howe,  as  commander  of  the  fleet  at  Haliflix,  Ge- 
neral, afterward  Sir  William  Howe,  with  his  reinforcements, 
arrived  off  Sandy  Hook — the  latter  on  the  25th  of  June  and 
the  former  on  the  12lh  of  July.     General  Clinton  arriving  at 

*  The  reconstruction  of  tliia  work  was  early  pointed  out,  and  strongly  urged  upon 
General  Schuyler,  by  Washington. 

f  There  was  another  Fort  Schuyler,  built  on  the  present  site  of  Ulica  during  the 
old  French  war,  and  named  thus  in  honor  of  Colonel  Schuyler,  an  uncle  of  General 
Philip  Schuyler  of  the  Revolution.  The  two  are  oflen  confounded  in  history,  and 
the  cliange  in  tlio  name  of  Fort  Stanwix  was  alike  unnecessary  and  unwise. 


!:,  J 


|Vi  ji 


I  ■     t 


■^  i 


.  ,,^i 


II 


1  \    !      1 


id;  ' 


!l|^!i 


! 


170 


I.IPE    OF    BRANT. 


[1776. 


about  the  same  time  from  the  unsuccessful  enterprise  against 
Charleston,  with  Admiral  Hotham,  the  combined  forces  of  the 
enemy  now  amounted  to  about  24,000  men,  including  the 
Hessians. 

Lord  and  Sir  WilHam  Howe  were  clothed  with  powers,  as 
Commissioners,  to  treat  with  the  Colonies  for  a  reconciliation. 
Their  pacific  errand  was  proclaimed  before  hostilities  were  re- 
commenced, and  promises  of  pardon  were  proffered  to  all  who 
would  avail  themselves  of  the  Royal  clemency,  and  return  to 
their  allegiance  and  duty.  Their  proposals,  however,  were 
considered  too  exceptionable,  both  in  matter  and  form,  to  re- 
ceive the  least  attention. 

On  the  22d  of  August  the  British  army  was  landed  upon 
Long  Island,  at  Gravesend.  The  American  army  at  this  time 
consisting  of  15,000  men,  under  General  Sullivan,  was  en- 
camped in  the  neighborhood  of  Brooklyn.  The  battle  of  Long 
Island,  which  was  severely,  though  ineffectually,  contested  by 
the  American  forces  under  Sullivan  and  Lord  Stirling,  was 
fought  on  the  27th  of  August.  In  this  action,  the  loss  of  the 
enemy  was  differently  reported  at  from  300  to  450.  The  loss 
of  the  Americans  was  far  more  considerable.  General  Wash- 
ington admitted  it  to  be  1000,  but  is  believed  only  to  have  re- 
ferred to  the  loss  of  the  regular  troops.  General  Howe  claim- 
ed 1097  prisoners,  among  whom  were  Generals  Sullivan, 
Stirling,  and  Woodhull.  On  the  3Qth,  the  Americans  effected 
a  masterly  retreat  across  the  East  river  to  New- York.*  The 
enemy  made  immediate  dispositions  for  attacking  New- York  ; 
and  so  prompt  and  skilful  were  his  movements,  that,  in  a  coun- 
cil of  general  officers,  an  evacuation  forthwith  was  deemed  the 
only  means  of  saving  the  army.  The  British  fleet  was  divided 
into  two  squadrons,  one  of  which  entered  the  East  and  the 
other  the  North  river.  Under  cover  of  the  former.  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  crossed  from  Long  Island,  and  landed  at  Kipp's  Bay, 
with  such  celerity  that  the  Americans  fled  in  disorder.     Indeed, 

•  During  the  operations  upon  Long  Island  and  New- York,  Captain  Brant  con- 
trived  to  pass  from  Canada  and  join  the  King's  forces.  Ho  was  with  Governor 
Tryon  at  Flalbusli.  Tlio  late  Mr.  John  Watts,  a  brother-in-law  of  Sir  John 
Johnson,  used  to  speak  of  taking  a  walk  with  Gov.  Tryon,  Colonel  Asgill,  and 
Brant,  through  an  orchard  in  that  village.  During  their  stroll,  Brant  plunked  ii 
crude  crab-apple  from  a  tree,  which,  on  tasting  it,  ho  threw  away — screwing  his 
face,  and  exclaiming: — "It's  as  bitter  as  a  Presbyterian!" 


I 


'«: 


1776.] 


GENERAL    PROGRESS    OF   THE    WAR. 


171 


Jay, 


Icon- 

prnor 

John 

and 

Dda 

his 


the  evacuation  resembled  rather  a  flight  than  a  retreat ;  all  the 
heavy  artillery,  military  stores,  baggage,  and  provisions,  falling 
into  the  hands  ui  the  enemy.  A  large  portion  of  the  Ameri- 
can forces,  at  that  time,  consisted  of  militia,  the  conduct  of 
which  was  scandalous  beyond  (Midurance.  They  deserted,  not 
only  in  small  numbers,  but  in  companies  and  squadrons,  when- 
ever they  could  and  their  conduct  in  the  face  of  the  enemy, 
or  rather  when  running  from  the  faces  of  the  enemy,  was  most 
cowardly.  So  disorderly  was  their  demeanor,  and  so  like  pol- 
troons did  they  behave  when  flying  from  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
that  even  Washington  himself  lost  his  patience,  and  was  ex- 
cited to  a  degree  of  hot  exasperation.  In  writing  from  Har- 
laem  Heights  to  a  friend.  General  Greene  said  that  two  bri- 
gades of  militia  ran  away  from  about  fifty  men,  leaving  the  Com- 
mander-in-chief on  the  ground  within  eighty  yards  of  the 
enemy,  so  vexed  with  the  conduct  of  his  troops,  that  he  sought 
death  rather  than  life.*  His  attempts  to  stop  them  were  fruit- 
less. He  drew  his  sword,  and  threatened  to  run  them  through, 
and  cocked  and  snapped  his  pistols.f  But  all  his  exertions 
were  to  no  purpose.  In  a  letter  upon  the  subject  of  this  infa- 
mous conduct  of  the  militia,  to  the  President  of  Congress,  the 
Commander-in-chief  declared  that,  were  he  called  to  give  his 
opinion  upon  oath,  he  should  say  that  the  militia  did  more  in- 
jury to  the  service  than  good. 

General  Greene  had  strongly  urged  the  destruction  of  the  city 
by  fire — a  measure  afterward  so  effectively  adopted  by  Count  Ros- 
topchin,  Governor  of  the  ancient  capital  of  Muscovy,  to  arrest 
the  career  of  Napoleon — that  the  enemy  might  be  deprived  of  the 
advantage  of  establishing  their  winter-quarters  therein.  His  rea- 
sons for  this  measure  were  sound,  and  it  ought,  doubtless,  to  have 
been  adopted.  Washington  was  believed  to  be  of  the  same  opi- 
nion, especially  as  two  thirds  of  the  property  which  it  was  pro- 
posed to  destroy,  belonged  to  undisguised  loyalists.  But  Congress 
would  not  allow  the  sacrifice  ;t  and,  on  the  15th  of  September, 
the  city  was  in  full  possession  of  the  enemy — General  Wash- 
ington having  retired  with  the  army  to  Kingsbridge.     From 

♦  Sparks  t  Gordon. 

I  Washingion'a  letter  to  the  President  of  Congress,  and  also  a  letter  from  Gen. 
Greene.— Vide  Sparks. 


172 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1776. 


« 


iff 


the  superiority  in  numbers  and  discipline  of  the  British  and 
German  troops,  the  Americans  were  unable  to  meet  them  in 
the  field,  and  the  policy  of  evacuating  and  retreating  was 
adopted.  A  succession  of  movements,  manoeuvres,  and  en- 
gagements, followed  in  Westchester,  terminating,  for  the  mo- 
ment, in  the  drawn  battle  of  White  Plains  on  the  18th  of 
October.*  Waslnngton  then  divided  his  army,  and  crossed 
into  New  Jersey  with  a  portion,  leaving  7500  troops  at  North 
Castle,  under  General  Lee.  The  next  disaster  to  the  American 
arms  was  the  fall  of  Fort  Washington,  on  the  16th  of  Novem- 
ber, after  a  brave  defence  by  Colonel  Magaw,  notwithstanding 
the  refusal  of  a  portion  of  his  troops  to  man  the  lines.f  That 
fortress  was  attacked  with  great  gallantry  at  four  points,  led  by 
Generals  Knyphausen,  Matthews,  Corn wallis,  and  Lord  Percy. 
The  regiment  of  Colonel  Rawlings,  on  that  occasion,  behaved 
with  great  spirit ;  nor  would  Colonel  Magaw  have  given  up 
the  post  but  for  the  conduct  of  the  disaflected.t  After  the  fall 
of  Fort  Washington,  Lord  Cornwallis  crossed  into  New  Jersey 
with  6000  men,  for  the  purpose  of  attacking  Fort  Lee,  of 
which  General  Lee  was  then  in  command.  But  the  means  of 
this  skilful  officer  were  not  adequate  to  the  defence  of  the  post 
against  a  force  of  such  unequal  strength  ;  the  people  of  New 
Jersey  were  at  that  time  intent  rather  to  make  terms  with  the 
eiupmy,  than  to  afford  efficient  assistance ;  II  and  the  garrison 
was  saved  by  an  evacuation.  General  Washington  had  taken 
post  at  Newark  ;  b>it  the  fall  of  Forts  Washington  and  Lee, 
together  with  the  diminution  of  his  own  strength  by  the  expi- 
ration of  the  term  of  service  of  his  men,  obliged  him  to  retreat 
rapidly  across  New  Jersey  to  the  other  side  of  the  Delaware, 


f'l 


'*'  Tlic  Stockbri<l>;r!  Indians  wcro  engaged  with  tho  Ainoricans  in  tliis  battle. 
They  foiiglit  bruvcly,  iiiiil  suH'rrod  scvoruiy, 

t  Lt'tlnr  of  Wosliiiii^ton  to  iiii  brollier,  John  Augustine  Woshington,  doted 
from  Ilttokcniacit,  Nov.  19,  1776. 

I  Idem. 

II  *'  T\w  conduct  of  tho  Jvr^oys  has  heen  most  inrumoui.  Initead  of  lurningout 
to  defend  tlirir  country  and  ntliirding  nid  to  our  army,  they  nro  maliinj;  their  »uh- 
mi^^siuns  as  fast  an  tliey  onn.  If  tlio  Jorscys  had  given  ua  any  aupport,  we  might 
have  made  a  atniid  at  I  Iiickonsuci(,  and  allnr  that  at  Drunawicli ;  but  tho  few  mihtiii 
that  were  in  arms  dialianded  themsrlvca,  and  \q\  tho  poor  rrmninn  of  an  army  to 
make  tho  best  wo  could  of  it." — Letter  of  Washington  to  his  brother,  John  Ausuilin* 
Wnihiitston,  Ao«.  18,  1770. 


1776.] 


GENERAL    PROGRESS   OF   THE    WAR. 


173 


followed  so  closely  by  Lord  Cornwallis,  that  the  van  of  the 
pursuers  was  often  engaged  with  the  rear  of  the  pursued. 

In  addition  to  this  succession  of  disasters,  Sir  Guy  Carleton 
had  appeared  upon  Lake  Champlain  with  a  flotilla,  superior  to 
that  of  the  Americans  under  General  Arnold,  and  which 
seemed  to  have  been  called  into  existence  as  if  by  enchantment. 
Two  naval  engagements  followed,  on  the  11th  and  13th  of 
October,  contested  with  undaunted  bravery,*  but  resulting  in  the 
defeat  of  Arnold,  the  annihilation  of  his  flotilla,  and  the  pos- 
session of  the  Lake  and  Crown  Point  by  the  fi)c.  Early  in 
December  Rhode  Island  also  fell  into  his  hands.  The  forces 
of  the  Commander-in-chief  at  the  same  time  numbered  only 
from  two  to  three  thousand  men ;  and  scarcely  a  new  recruit 
supplied  the  places  of  those  whose  terms  of  service  were  expir 
ing.  And  even  those  recruits  that  were  furnished,  were  so 
badly  supplied  with  officers,  as  almost  to  extinguish  tlie  hope 
of  forming  an  army  from  which  any  eflicient  services  were  to 
be  expected,  t 

Worse  than  all,  a  spirit  of  disaflfection  was  rife  in  the  States 
of  New- York  and  New  Jersey,  which  not  only  thwarted  the 
purposes  of  the  Commander-in-chief,  but  threatened  the  most 
lamentable  consequences  to  the  cause.  Althougli  there  were 
many  stanch  Wliigs  in  Albany  and  its  vicinity,  there  were 
many  vigilant  loyalists  in  that  region,  who  continued  to  keep  in 
correspondence  with  the  enemy  during  nearly  the  whole  contest. 
In  the  Summer  of  this  year.  General  Schuyler  hnd  detected  a 
dangerous  plot  in  the  neighborhood  of  Albany,  and  apprehended 
some  of  the  ringleaders.  During  the  operations  of  the  army 
in  the  Autumn,  in  New- York  and  ifs  neighborhood,  it  was  only 
with  the  utmost  difliculty  that  large  portions  of  the  fluctuating 
army  could  be  kept  in  the  line  of  duty,  while  otlior  largo  por- 
tions either  went  ofl'  in  masses,  or  proved  unfaithful  while  they 
remained.     The  conduct  of  the  militia  at  Fort  "Washington, 


i    I 


♦  Qrn,  OntPB  wrotn  to  Col.  Ton  F.yck,  from  Tiuondprosn,  on  tlio  13thofOcto. 
ber — "  The  engngi'tnont  bvgnn  on  tho  1 1  tli,  and  continues  to  thin  diiy.  The  onomy'i 
flnet  id  tnui'li  mtperior  to  otim,  and  wo  iniiintnin  n  running  fi<{ht.  All  our  officers 
buliBVfl  with  thti  grt'titoul  npiril." — MS.  ItlUr  in  the  author's  poi^sfssim. 

f  "  The  diflTi-'rciil  Stati'i,  without  regit rd  to  tho  qunliHonlion^  of  nn  officrr,  qunr* 
rolling  (il)out  the  n))pointinontff,nnd  nominnting  nurh  n^nre  not  fit  to  ho  ithof-lilaeki), 
fl-on)  the  lornl  nltnchuirnlnof  thin  or  ihnt  meinbor  of  Assombly," — LtlUrfrom  WiuK' 
inglon  to  his  hrolhri;  \dth  Xuvemhtr,  177U, 


174 


LIFE    OK    BRANT. 


[1770. 


'■   I        *  i 


has  been  noted.  General  Greene  wrote  on  the  5th  of  Novem- 
ber, that  the  New- York  mihtia,  under  Colonel  Hawkes  Hay, 
actually  refused  to  do  duty.  They  said  General  Howe  liud 
promised  them  peace,  liberty,  and  safety;  and  that  was  all  they 
wanted.* 

These  are  but  a  few  of  the  discouragements  under  which  the 
Commander-in-chief  was  laboring.  To  borrow  his  own  ex- 
pressive language  in  the  private  letter  to  his  brother  cited  in 
a  preceding  note,  "  You  can  form  no  idea  of  the  perplexity  of 
"  my  situation.  No  man,  I  believe,  ever  had  a  greater  choice  of 
"difficulties,  and  less  means  to  extricate  himself  from  them." 
Nevertheless,  the  last  sun  of  that  year  did  not  sink  behind  so 
deep  a  cloud  of  gloom  as  had  been  anticipated.  In  the  north. 
General  Carleton,  who  had  occupied  Crown  Point  after  the 
defeat  of  Arnold's  flotilla,  had  returned  to  Canada  without  at- 
tempting any  thing  farther  ;  and  before  the  close  of  the  year 
the  Commander-in-chief  had  the  satisfaction  to  announce,  that 
instead  of  imitating  the  bad  example  of  others,  the  Continental 
regiments  from  the  Eastern  States  had  agreed  to  remain  six 
weeks  beyond  the  term  of  their  enlistment.t  In  addition  to 
which  were  the  bold  return  of  Washington  upon  Trenton,  and 
his  brilliant  victory  over  the  Htissian  forces  at  that  place,  on  the 
morning  of  the  2Gth  of  December.  "  This  well-judged  and 
"  successfid  enterprise  revived  the  depressed  spirits  of  the  Colo- 
"  nists,  and  produced  an  immediate  and  happy  effect  in  ro 
"  cruiting  the  American  army."  J 

*  Spnrksi — Life  and  Cor.  of  Washington. 

t  Letter  from  Washington  to  the  commander  at  Morrintown,  Deo.  30. 

\  Holmes's  Annuls. 


I*'  I 


i 


CHAPTER  Vlir. 


I 


Continuation  of  movements  in  New  Jereey-^Extinguishment  of  the  council-fire  at 
Ononduwa — Tryon  County— Colonel  Harper's  mission  to  Oahkwaga — The  Har- 
per family — Adventure  at  the  Johnstone  Bcttlcmont— Capture  of  Good  Peter  and 
his  party — Thayendanegea  crosses  from  Canada  to  O^hkwasa — Interview  with 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Johnstone— Doubtful  course  of  Brant— Feverish  situation  of  tho 
people — Expedition  of  General  Herkimer  to  Unadilla — Remarkable  'neetinw  be- 
tween Herkimer  and  Brant — Meditated  art  of  treachery — Warintjs  of  the 
chief— Meetinsj  abruptly  terminated — Ended  in  a  storm — Brant  draws  off  to  Os- 
wego— Grand  council  there — Tho  Indians  generally  join  the  Royal  standard — 
Approach  of  Brant  upon  Cherry  Valley— iTow  do  feu  ted— Death  of  Lieutenant 
Wormwood. 

IIavinq  secured  his  prisoners  on  tho  Pennsylvania  side  of 
the  Delaware,  General  Washington  established  himself  at 
Trenton.  But  he  was  not  long  permitted  its  undisturbed  pos- 
session. Collecting  his  forces,  Cornwallis  advanced  rapidly  up- 
on tlie  capital  of  New  Jersey,  where  he  arrived  on  the  2d  of  Ja- 
nuary. Some  skirmishing  ensued  towardevening,butbotharmies 
encamped  for  the  night  without  coming  to  a  general  engagement 
— being  separated  only  by  Assumpinck  Creek — and  apparently 
both  expecting  a  battle  in  the  morning.  Tho  force  of  the  en- 
emy, however,  was  too  great  to  render  it  safe  foi'  the  American 
Commander-in-chief  to  hazard  an  action.  By  an  adroit  and 
masterly  movement,  therefore,  leaving  his  iires  burning,  Gene- 
ral Washington  succeeded  in  getting  away  unperceived,  and 
throwing  liimself  into  the  enemy's  roar.  The  battle  and  vic- 
tory of  Princeton  followed,  and  tho  American  army  moved  to 
Morristown,  wiiile  <\)rnwallis  hastened  back  to  New  Bruns- 
wick and  thence  to  New- York— tho  dilVerent  dotachn>.ents  of 
British  troops,  which  had  been  scattered  through  New  JiTsey, 
being  at  all  points  discomfited. 

Iletinniing  from  this  digression  to  the  Indian  relations  of 
New-York,  there  is  one  event  to  be  noted,  the  character  of 
which  eaiuiot  be  explained.  Auionuf  the  manuscripts  preserved 
in  the  family  of  tho  hero  of  Oriskany,*  is  a  s|)(!ech  from  tho 
Oneida  chiefs  to  Colonel  lilmore,  the  ollicer  who,  at  the  rom- 
jnencement  of  the  present  year,  was  in  the  command  of  Fort 
Schuyler,  announcing  tho  final  extinguishment  of  the  great 


*  roloiK'l,  afterword  ncnoral  Merkimor. 

27 


I  m 


ii;  If' 


•,i! 


,s. 


>l: 


I:       ^ 

t  h 


H- 


176 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1777. 


council-fire  of  the  Six  Nations  at  Onondaga.  As  the  central 
nation  of  the  confederacy,  their  general  councils,  time  imme- 
morial, had  been  holden  at  the  Onondaga  Castle,  at  which,  in 
their  own  figurative  language,  their  council-fire  was  ever  kept 
burning.  These  councils  assembled  annually  to  discuss  the 
exterior  relations,  and  all  n^atters  of  national  concernment. 
They  were  composed  of  chieis  delegated  from  each  member  of 
the  federative  republic,  and  sometimes  numbered  as  many  as 
eighty  sachems  in  the  assembly.*  By  what  means  the  event 
had  been  accomplished — whether  the  calamity  was  the  result 
of  pestilence  or  war — the  speech  of  the  Oneidas  does  not  in- 
form us  ;  although  it  amiounces  the  fall  of  a  largo  number  of 
the  Onondaga  warriors,  in  connexion  with  the  catastrophe. 
Still,  the  transaction  is  veiled  in  darkness  so  thick  as  to  baffle 
investigation.     The  following  is  the  speech  :— 

"  Fort  Schuyler,  Jan.  19th,  1777. 
"  Speech  op  the  Oneida  Chiefs  to  Col.  Elmore. 
"  Brother  :  Wo  are  sent  here  by  the  Oneida  chiefs,  in  con- 
junction witli  the  Onondagas.  They  arrived  at  our  village 
yesterday.  They  gave  us  the  melancholy  news  that  the  grand 
council-fire  at  Onondaga  wos  extinguished.  We  have  lost  out 
of  their  town  by  death  ninety,  among  whom  are  three  princi 
pal  sachems.  We,  the  remaining  part  of  the  Onondagas,  do  now 
inform  our  brethren  that  there  is  no  longer  a  coui  cil-fire  at 
the  capital  of  the  Six  Nations.  However,  we  are  determined 
to  use  our  feeble  endeavors  to  support  peace  througli  the  con- 
federate nations.  But  let  this  be  kept  in  mind,  that  the 
council-fire  is  extinguished.  It  is  of  importance  to  our  well- 
being  that  this  bo  immediately  communicated  to  General 
Schuyler,  and  likewise  to  our  brothers  the  Mohawks.  In  order 
to  effect  this,  we  deposito  this  belt  with  Tekeyanedonhotte, 
Colonel  Elmore,  commander  at  Fort  Schuyler,  who  is  sent 
hero  by  General  Schuyler  fo  transact  all  matters  relative  to 

•  "TUo  nutiomil  coniuil  took  cogiiiziinco  of  war  nnd  pcuco,  of  tI\o  nfTairs  of  Hie 
tributary  nutionn,  nnd  of  llicir  in'2otintior.«  willi  the  French  nnd  Knylinh  Colonies. 
All  liiuir  proccrdini;*  wrro  conduclrd  with  t;rriit  driihpriilion,  iind  worr  distinniiinh- 
«'d  fir  order,  deroruiii,  iind  Holcninity.  In  eli)(|iienre,  in  diniiily,  and  in  nil  the 
clinrnctrriKticH  of  profpiiiid  poiiey,  they  (tiirpnunpil  nn  MMxendily  of  fendnl  linronf,  and 
were  pprlinp!"  iii)t  fur  inf  rinr  lo  llio  ^reiit   Ainphyetionie  ennncil  of  Cireew."— /^« 

Mill  Clilllml. 


1777.] 


ONONDAGA    COUNCIL-FIRE. 


177 


peace.  We  tlierefore  request  him  to  forward  this  intelligence 
in  the  first  place  to  General  Herkimer,  desiring  him  to  commu- 
nicate it  to  the  Mohawk  Castle  near  to  him,  and  then  to  Major 
Fonda,  requesting  him  to  immediately  communicate  it  to  the 
liOwer  Castle  of  Mohawks.  Let  the  belt  then  be  forwarded  to 
General  Schuyler,  that  he  may  know  that  our  council-fire  is 
extinguished,  and  can  no  longer  burn."* 


ir  the 
nnicD. 

tho 
',  and 


This  singular  document  is  worthy  of  preservation,  not  only 
as  the  authentic,  but  as  the  only  account  of  the  occurrence  re- 
corded. It  contiiins  a  mystery,  however,  which  cannot  now  be 
solved.  Still,  as  no  belligerent  events  pre  known  to  have  been 
enacted  in  the  Onondaga  country  during  that  winter,  the  most 
plausible  conjecture  would  attribute  the  mortality  indicated  by 
the  speech  to  some  pestilential  disorder,  which  might  have 
swept  over  them,  as  with  the  Schoharie  Canton  eighteen 
months  before. 

In  the.  County  of  Trj'^on,  which  now  demands  our  chief  at- 
tention, great  uneasiness  was  again  awakened  among  the  inha- 
bitants, toward  the  close  of  the  winter,  especially  in  the  remoter 
settlements  south  of  the  Mohawk,  by  the  reported  gathering  of 
the  Indians  at  Oghkwaga.  The  fact  that  their  numbers  were 
increasing  at  that  point  having  been  satisfactorily  ascertained, 
Colonel  John  Harper,  of  Ilarpersfield,  was  despatched  thither 
by  the  Provincial  Congress  of  New-York  to  ascertain  their  in- 
tentions. Taking  every  necessary  measure  of  precaution  to 
guard  against  surprise,  and  to  be  ready  for  any  emergency,  by 
having  the  officers  of  his  militia  regiment  on  the  qui  vivc, 
Colonel  Harper  departed  upon  his  mission,  accompanied  only 
by  a  single  white  man  and  one  Indian.  Ho  arrived  on  the  27th 
of  February,  and  was  well  received  by  the  Indians,  who  mani- 
fested a  perfectly  friendly  disposition  toward  himself,  and  also 
toward  the  settlements.  So  far  from  exhibiting  any  belligerent 
intentions,  they  expressed  their  sorrow  for  the  troubles  of  the 
country,  anddoclared  their  determination  to  take  no  part  in  the 
controversy.  Satisfied  as  to  the  sincerity  of  their  professions, 
altliough  subsequent  events  proved  that  they  must  have  been 

*  Trnniciibnd  by  tlin  aiilhor  from  tho  original  draught,  ai  furniihod  to  General 
Iloikiiiitr  l)y  Culonul  Kiinuro. 


^11 


I' 
iij' 


rrf  I  !  Hi   I 


178 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1777. 


dissembling,  Colonel  Harper  supplied  tlie  means  of  a  festival, 
and  presented  them  with  an  ox,  which  was  roasted  for  the  oc- 
casion.* 

Colonel  John  Harper  was  one  of  four  brothers— William, 
John,  Alexander,   and  Joseph  Harper,   who,   with  eighteen 
others,  planted  themselves  down  upon  a  tract  of  country,  in 
17G8,  which  was  subsequently  named  Harpersfield.     After  his 
return  Irom  this  mission,  he  was  for  a  time  in  command  of  one 
of  the  little  forts  in  Schoharie.     On  one  occasion,  in  March  or 
April  of  this  year,  he  took  a  circuit  alone  from  Schoharie 
through  the  woods  to  Harpersfield,  and  thence,  when  returning, 
struck  forther  to  the  westward,  toward  the  head  waters  of  the 
Susquehanna.     AVhile  ascending   a  hill,  he   suddenly  saw  a 
company  of  Indians  approaching.     As  they  had   discovered 
him,  any  attempt  to  fly  would  have  been  vain.     They  would 
have  shot  him  down.     Having  a  great  coat  over  his  military 
dress,  lie  made  no  attempt  to  avoid  a  meeting,  and  in  passing, 
the  Colonel  and  the  Indians  exchanged  salutations.     In  one  of 
the  Indians  he  recognized  Peter,  a  Mohawk  whom  he  had 
formerly  seen  at  Oghkwaga.     They  did  not  recognize  him, 
however  ;  but  from  his  manner  of  speech  supposed  him  to  be 
a  loyalist,  and  under  that  impression  communicated  to  him  the 
fact  that  their  destination  was  to  cut  off  "the  Johnstone  settle- 
ment," a  small  Scotch  Colony  on  the  eastern  shore  of  the  Sus- 
quehanna, near   Unadilla,  or  Anaquaqua,  as  that  place  was 
sometimes    called.      Having    obtained    this    information,   he 
changed  his  course,  and  hurrying  back  to  Harpersfield,  collect- 
ed fifteen  resolute  men,  with  whom  he  gave  chase  to  the  ma- 
rauders.    In  addition  to  their  arms,  the  Colonel  caused  each 
man  of  his  little  band  to  provide  himself  with  two  days'  pro- 
visions and  a  rope.     In  the  course  of  the  following  night,  in 
descending  the  valley  of  the  Charlotte  river,  they  descried  the 
fire  where  the  Indians  were  er\camped.     Halting  for  a  while  to 
refresh  ana  prepare  for  the  contest,  the  Colonel  and  his  men 
now  stole  upon  the  foe  with  the  utmost  caution.     It  was  al- 
most day-light,  and  the  Indians  were  in  a  profound  slumber — 
their  arms  being  stacked  in  the  middle  of  their  little  encamp- 
ment.    These  were  carefully  removed  by  Harper  and  his  party, 


A  nnals  of  Tryon  County. 


(        I 


1777.] 


COLONEL    HARPER — THE   TORIES. 


179 


as  a  measure  of  precaution.  The  moment  for  action  having 
arrived,  singling  each  his  man,  the  cords  were  made  ready, 
and  every  Indian,  ere  he  was  well  awake,  found  himself  bound 
and  in  the  grasp  of  a  foe.  The  sleeping  Gulliver  was  not 
more  thoroughly  secured  by  the  vexatious  net-work  of  the 
Lilliputians.  But  Peter  and  his  companions  were  not  secured 
by  Lilliputian  ties,  and  they  had  to  deal  with  a  different  race  of 
men.  When  it  became  light  in  the  morning,  Peter  discovered 
his  captor.  "  Ugh  !"  he  exclaimed — "  Colonel  Harper  ! — Why 
did  I  not  know  you  yesterday  V  The  gallant  Colonel  pro- 
ceeded to  Albany  with  his  prisoners,  and  surrendered  them  to 
the  commanding  officer  of  the  station.  It  was  a  bold  and  well- 
executed  achievement — and  all  the  better  that  it  was  bloodless. 

Although,  as  we  have  seen,  Colonel  Harper  had  parted  from 
the  Indians  at  Oghkwaga  upon  the  most  amicable  terms,  yet 
indications  of  a  different  temper  were  soon  afterward  mani- 
fested by  this  fickle  people,  of  which  the  movement  of  Peter, 
so  opportunely  discovered  and  intercepted,  was  the  first  ont- 
break.  Thayendanegea,  likewise,  appeared  among  them  in 
the  course  of  the  Spring,  having  separated  from  Guy  Johnson, 
between  whom  and  himself  some  difficulty  had  occurred.  In- 
telligence of  the  chieftain's  departure  from  Canada,  and  march 
across  tiie  country  to  Oghkwaga  with  a  large  body  of  warriors, 
was  received  by  the  Tryon  County  Committee  early  in  May 
from  Fort  Schuyler,  and  communicated  to  the  Provincial  Con- 
gress by  its  chairman,  Isaac  Paris.  Not  a  little  additional  un- 
easiness was  also  occasioned  at  the  same  time  by  the  spirit 
discernible  among  the  Tories.  Many  of  those  loyalists,  who 
had  taken  their  departure  the  preceding  year  with  Sir  John 
Joinison,  had,  nevertheless,  left  their  wives  and  children  in  the 
remote  settlements,  with  whom  they  were  evidently  in  commu- 
nication ;  while  scouting  parties,  both  of  Tories  and  Indians, 
were  hovering  on  the  northern  outskirts  of  the  county.* 

The  presence  of  the  crafty  chieftain  at  Oghkwaga  did  not 
improve  the  pacific  disposition  of  the  natives,  as  will  appear  in 
the  sequel ;  althoiigh  Brant  himself  had  not  thus  far  committed 
any  act  of  lioslility  within  the  province  of  New-York.  The 
fact  of  his  having  borne  a  part  in  the  battle  of  the  Cedars  seoms, 
moreover,  not  to  hnvc  been  known  in  the  Mohawk  Valley,  since 

•  MS.  docuinonte  in  iho  olTice  of  tlio  Secretary  of  State,  Albany. 


m 


"I 


'  W'' 

r 

1          ' 

1 

1      1 

il 

■ '     1 

'i 

-il 

11  i 


f!| 


I;  1^^ 
\    :  I' 


i ... 


i 


180 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1777. 


they  were  yet  uncertain  whether  it  was  his  intention  to  raise 
the  hatchet  in  the  contest  or  not. 

But  these  uncertainties  were  not  of  long  duration.  In  the 
month  of  June,  1777,  the  chief  of  the  Mohawks  ascended  the 
Susquehanna  from  Oghkwaga  to  Unadilla,*  attended  by 
seventy  or  eighty  of  his  warriors,  and  requested  an  interview 
with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Johnstone  and  the  officers  of  the  miUtia  of 
tiie  neighborhood.  He  stated  that  the  object  of  his  visit  was 
to  procure  provisions,  of  which  his  people  were  greatly  in  want. 
And  such  were  their  necessities,  that  if  peaceable  means  would 
not  answer,  the  Indians  must  obtain  them  by  force. 

Advantage  was  taken  of  tlie  interview  to  sound  the  chief  as 
to  his  future  intentions — whether  he  was  for  peace  or  for  war; 
and  his  answers  were  far  less  difficult  of  solution  than  the  rid- 
dle of  the  Sphynx.  He  complained  of  the  ill-treatment  which, 
as  he  alleged,  some  of  the  Mohawks,  who  had  remained  be- 
hind on  the  flight  of  the  majority  of  the  nation,  had  received 
at  the  hands  of  the  Whigs.  The  Mohawks,  he  said,  were  as 
free  as  tlje  air  they  breathed,  and  were  determined  to  remain 
so ;  and  they  could  not  brook  it  that  any  of  their  brethren 
should  be  seized  and  imprisoned,  ns  had  been  the  case  at  the 
Custle.t  Tliese,  Vie  demanded,  should  be  set  at  liberty,  and  suf- 
fered to  remove  from  the  country.  In  regard  to  the  question 
of  peace  or  war,  he  said  the  Mohawks  were  always  warrit)rs — 
that  their  agreement  with  the  King  was  very  strong,  and  they 
were  not  such  villains  as  to  break  tlieir  covenant. 

The  visit  continued  two  days,  during  which  time  the  Indians 
were  well  supplied  with  provisions,  and  on  their  departure 
permitted  to  take  away  some  live  cattle  and  sheep.  The  in- 
habitants, however,  scattered  and  few,  and  quite  remote  from 
any  considerable  settlement,  no  longer  feeling  themselves  .sale 
in  their  houses,  songlit  protection  in  places  of  greater  security — 
principally  in  Cherry  Valley,  the  place  of  their  first  locaticn, 
whence  they  had  removed,  a  few  years  before,  into  the  valt  of 
the  Susquehanna.  Some  of  the  scattered  settlers  in  the  Una- 
dilla region  fled  to  the  German  Flatts,  and  others,  probably,  to 
the  older  towns  upon  the  Hudson. 

♦  Tunndilla  was  tlic  Indian  name  of  this  place,  nor  docs  the  propriety  of  tho  ul- 
toration  appear. 

t  Probably  on  suBpicion  of  maintaining  corrospondenco  with  the  enemy. 


1777.] 


HERKIMERS    EXPEDITION    TO    UNADILLA. 


181 


to 


The  Indian  forces  of  Captain  Brant  continuing  to  increase 
at  Oghkwaga,  and  the  anxiety  of  the  people  l)ecoming  greater 
with  every  report  from  that  quarter,  General  Herkimer*  deter- 
mined to  repair  thither,  and  obtain  an  intervie  For  this 
purpose  the  General  dispatched  a  messenger  to  thai  place,  and 
invited  the  chief  to  meet  him  at  Unadilla — moving  forward 
himself  at  the  same  time,  at  the  head  of  about  three  hundred  of 
the  local  militia,  from  the  regiments  of  Colonels  Cox,  Klock, 
and  Iseulord,  well  armed  and  provided.  The  precise  object  of 
the  General,  in  seeking  this  interview  with  Brant,  remains  to 
this  day  more  a  matter  of  conjecture  than  of  certainty.  The 
few  scattered  fragments  of  Herkimer's  correspondence  which 
have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  writer,  show  that  it  was  no 
sudden  movement ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  that  General  Schuyler, 
Colonel  Van  Schaick,  Colonel  Harper,  and  others,  were  con- 
sulted upon  the  subject.  On  the  application  of  Herkimer,  Co- 
lonel Van  Schaick  was  detached  to  his  assistance  on  the  15th 
of  June,  with  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  with  which  force  he 
repaired  to  Cherry  Valley,  but  could  proceed  no  farther  for 
want  of  provisions.  General  Schuyler  was  also  to  repair 
thither  in  person,  in  the  event  of  his  presence  being  deemed 
necessary.!  Ostensibly,  the  expedition  was  one  of  peace  ;  t  but 
the  extent  of  the  preparations,  and  the  physical  strength  of  the 
expedition,  imparted  an  equivocal  character  to  the  movement ; 
not  more  so,  however,  than  was  the  conduct  of  Brant  during 
the  whole  Spring,  since  his  proceedings  were  such  as  to  keep 
the  minds  of  the  people  in  a  state  of  feverish  excitement  and 
ceaseless  uncertainty.  Thus,  on  the  10th  of  June,  Colonel 
Harper  wrote  urgently  to  General  Herkimer  for  a  supply  of 
ammunition,  in  the  expectation  of  an  immediate  hostile  irrup- 
tion of  Brant  into  the  Valley  of  the  Schoharie  Kill.  On  the 
13th,  the  Cherry  Valley  Committee  wrote  to  the  General  a  still 

♦  III  the  Autumn  of  1776,  three  Brigtitlicr-Gcnftrnls  of  the  militia  were  commis- 
sioned by  the  Provintinl  Congress  of  New- York,  of  whom  Colonel  Nicliolos  Her- 
kimer was  one.  The  Herkimer  family  wns  one  of  the  first  to  settle  at  the  German 
Flatts,  and  the  nnme  is  among  those  of  the  original  |)ntentee» — not  Herkimer,  how- 
ever, which  is  acorniplioii — but  L'rg-emorfjWhith  was  the  true  German  name. — Let' 
ttr  of  L.  Ford  to  the  aiitlwr, 

t  MS.  letters  of  Colonels  Van  Schaick,  Tuppcr,  and  others,  among  Gen.  Herki- 
mer's papers. 

\  Letler  ofL.  Kord,  Esq,  to  the  aulho*. 


'n'^ 


: 

f 

.^ 

1 

1                         ■      ',  .- ,; 

1  '!< 

i  ' 

1 

182 


LIFE   OF    BRANT. 


[1777. 


more  alarming  lettei.  Brant,  accordinjr  to  this  statement,  in 
connexion  with  some  of  the  loyalists  of  Unadilla,  had  marked 
a  path  directly  thi'oiigh  the  forest  to  ^sopus,  by  which  route 
the  Tories  of  Ulster  and  Orange  Counties  were  to  join  his  forces 
at  Oghkwaga;  at  which  place  the  chief  had  vaunted  that 
shortly  he  would  not  fear  the  approach  of  three  thousand  men.* 
On  the  other  hand,  Major  Fonda  wrote,  on  the  19th  of  June, 
that  an  embassy  of  chiefs  and  sachems  of  the  Cayuga  and 
Seneca  nations,  having  repaired  to  Oghkwaga  to  remonstrate 
with  Thayendanegea  against  farther  hostilities,  the  latter  had 
determined  to  listen  to  their  councils,  and  withdraw  into  the 
Cayuga  country.  In  pursuance  of  this  policy,  it  was  added,  on 
what  was  esteemed  good  authority,  that  the  Mohawk  chief  had 
released  a  prisoner  with  his  own  hands,  telling  the  captors  that 
they  had  acted  wrong.t 

Such  was  the  uncertain  condition  of  things  when  the  expe- 
dition under  consideration  was  commenced.  Brant  and  Herki- 
mer had  been  near  neighbors  and  personal  friends,  before  the 
troubles  came  on,t  and  it  is  possible  the  General  still  cherished 
a  belief  that  he  might  yet  detach  the  dusky  warrior  from  the 
cause  he  had  embraced,  but  nevertheless  might  not  be  disin- 
clined to  relinquish.  Perhaps  he  designed  nothing  more  than 
to  drive  him  from  his  equivocal  position.  Perhaps,  also,  should 
opportunity  be  presented,  it  was  his  intention  to  seize  his  per- 
son. But  be  these  suppositions  as  'h^y  may,  it  will  be  seen 
that  there  was  at  least  one  moment  in  which  he  contemplated 
a  more  decisive  course. 

It  was  a  full  week  after  the  arrival  of  General  Herkimer  at 
Unadilla  before  Captain  Brant  made  his  appearance.  He  came 
to  the  neighborhood  of  the  General's  encampment,  accompanied 
by  five  hundred  warriors.     Having  halted,  he  dispatched  a 

♦  MS.  letter  from  Samuel  Clyde  to  General  Ilcrkimor. 

t  MS.  letter  of  Major  Jelles  Fonda,  among  the  Herkimer  papers. 

I  The  residence  of  General  Herkimer  was  a  short  distance  below  the  Little  Falls 
of  the  Mohawk,  near  the  river.  His  mansion,  built  of  brick,  is  yet  standing. 
Brant's  farm,  on  which  he  was  residing  when  the  Revolutionary  storm  arose,  was 
near  the  Upper  Indian  Castle,  about  three  miles  below  the  house  of  Herkimer.  The 
farm  lies  directly  upon  the  river,  and  is  now  very  valuable.  I  visited  the  place  in 
the  Autumn  of  1835.  No  other  memorials  of  its  last  noble  possessor  remained  than 
the  cellar  of  his  house,  and  the  apple-trees  which  stood  before  his  door.  These  were 
vigorous,  and  in  full  bearin{.~»lt((/ior. 


t^ 


:!i 


1777.  J 


EXPEDITION    TO    fNADILLA 


183 


runner  to  General  Herkimer,  with  a  messu;  desiring  o  be 
informed  of  the  object  of  his  visit.  General  Herkimer  replied 
that  he  had  merely  come  to  see  and  converse  with  his  brother, 
Captain  Brant.  The  quick-witted  messenger  inquired  if  all 
those  men  wished  to  talk  to  his  chief  too  ?  However,  he  said 
to  the  General  that  he  would  carry  his  talk  back  to  his  chief, 
but  he  charged  him  that  he  must  not  cross  the  field  upon  the 
margin  of  which  they  were  standing,  and  departed.  But 
an  arrangement  was  soon  made,  through  the  agency  of  mes- 
sengers, by  which  a  meeting  was  effected.  The  scene  exhi- 
bited at  this  interviev. ,  as  related  by  those  who  were  present 
at  it,  was  novel  and  imposing.  The  hostile  parties  were  now 
encamped  within  the  distance  of  two  miles  from  each  other. 
About  midway  between  their  encampments,  a  temporary  shed 
was  erected,  sufficiently  extensive  to  allow  some  two  hundred 
persons  to  be  seated.  By  miUual  stipulation  their  arms  were 
to  be  left  in  their  respective  encampments.*  Soon  after  the 
adjustment  of  the  preliminaries  and  the  completion  of  the  fix- 
tures above  mentioned,  the  chief  of  the  Mohawks  himself  ap- 
peared in  the  edge  of  the  distant  forest,  and  approached  the 
place  designated,  already  in  the  occupation  of  Herkimer,  some- 
what warily,  accompanied  by  Captain  Bull,  (a  Tory,)  William 
Johnson,  (son  of  Sir  William,  by  Brant's  sister  Mary,)  a  subor- 
dinate chief  of  the  Mohawks,  an  Indian  woman,  and  also  by 
about  forty  warriors.  After  some  little  parleying,  a  circle  was 
formed  by  General  Herkimer,  into  which  Brant  and  the  Gene- 
ral entered,  together  with  the  other  Indian  chief  and  two  of 
Herkimer's  officers.  After  the  interchange  of  a  few  remarks, 
the  chieftain,  keeping  an  eagle-eye  upon  his  visitor,  inquired 
the  reason  of  his  being  thus  honored.  General  Herkimer  re- 
plied, as  he  had  done  to  the  avant-councr,  that  he  had  come  to 
see  him  on  a  friendly  visit.  "  And  all  these  have  come  on  a 
friendly  visit,  too?"  replied  the  chief.  "All  want  to  seethe 
poor  Indians ;  it  is  very  kind,"  he  added,  with  a  sarcastic  curl 
of  the  lip.  General  Herkimer  expressed  a  desire  to  go  forward 
to  the  village,  but  the  chief  told  him  he  was  quite  near  enough 
and  that  he  must  not  proceed  any  farther. 

The  General  next  endeavored  to  enter  into  a  conversatior 
with  the  Mohawk  touching  the  difficulties  with  England,  in  or 

♦  MS.  Btatoincnt  of  facta  collected  by  L.  Ford,  Esq. 
28 


i;i 


n  § 

I;     \ii 


!■.  i 


■ '      '  I 


i         ■! 


,  jl.    . 


184 


LIFE    OF    BRANT, 


[1777. 


der  to  ascertain  his  feelings  and  intentions.  The  conference  now 
became  earnest  and  animated,  although  the  chief  at  first  gave 
Herkimer  evasive  and  oracular  answers.  To  a  question,  how- 
ever, put  to  him  directly,  he  finally  replied  : — "  That  the  In- 
"  dians  were  in  concert  with  the  King,  as  their  fathers  had 
"  been  :  That  the  King's  belts  were  yet  lodged  with  them,  and 
"  they  could  not  violate  their  pledge :  That  General  Herkimer 
"  and  his  followers  had  joined  the  Boston  people  against  their 
"  sovereign  :  That  although  the  Boston  people  were  resolute^ 
"  yet  the  King  would  humble  them  :  That  General  Schuyler 
"  was  very  smart  on  the  Indians  at  the  treaty  of  German  Flatts,* 
"  but  at  the  same  time  was  not  able  to  afford  the  smallest  arti- 
"  cle  of  clothing  :  And  finally,  that  the  Indians  had  formerly 
"  made  war  on  the  white  people  when  they  were  all  united  ; 
"  and  as  they  were  now  divided,  the  Indians  were  not  fright- 
"  ened."t 

Colonel  Cox,  who  was  in  the  suite  of  General  Herkimer, 
then  made  a  few  remarks,  the  substance  of  which  was,  that  if 
such  was  the  fixed  determination  of  the  Indians,  nothing  far- 
ther need  be  said.  But  his  manner,  or  some  of  the  expressions 
uttered  by  the  Colonel,  which  have  not  been  preserved,  gave 
offence  to  ttie  chief.  He  was  exceedingly  irritated  ;t  and  by  a 
signal  to  the  warriors  attending  him  at  a  short  distance,  they 
ran  back  to  their  encampment,  and  soon  afterward  appeared 
again  with  their  rifles,  several  of  which  were  discharged,  while 
the  shrill  war-whoop  rang  through  the  forest.  Meantime, 
however,  by  explanations  or  otherwise,  the  chief  was  soothed 
and  his  warriors  were  kept  at  a  proper  distance,  although  the 
demand  of  General  Herkimer  for  the  surrender  of  sundry  Tories 
was  peremptorily  refused.  The  conference  ended  by  an  agree- 
ment between  the  parties  to  meet  again  at  9  o'clock  the  fol- 
Iviwing  morning.  General  Herkimer  and  his  forces,  forbidden 
to  advance  any  farther,  encamped  as  before.s 

The  next  morning  General  Herkimer  called  one  of  his  most 
trusty  men  aside,  Joseph  Waggoner  by  name,  for  the  purpose 
of  communicating  to  him,  in  confidence,  a  matter  of  great 
importance,  respecting  which  the  most  profound  secrecy  was 

♦  Adjourned  to  Albany.  f  Annals  of  Tryon  County. 

j  Manuscript  statement  of  Joseph  Waj^oner,  in  the  author's  possession. 
§  Idem. 


1777.] 


ATTEMPT    UPON    HIS    LIFE. 


185 


enjoined.  He  then  informed  Waggoner  that  he  had  selected 
him  and  thre  others  to  perform  a  high  and  important  duty,  re- 
quiring promptness,  courage,  and  decision.  His  design,  the 
General  said,  was  to  take  the  lives  of  Brant  and  his  three  at- 
tendants, on  the  renewal  of  their  visit  that  morning.  For  tliis 
purpose  he  should  rely  upon  Waggoner  and  his  three  associates, 
on  the  arrival  of  the  chief  and  his  friends  within  the  circle  as 
on  the  preceding  day,  each  to  select  his  man,  and,  at  a  concert- 
ed signal,  shoot  them  down  upon  the  spot.  There  is  something 
so  revolting — so  rank  and  foul — in  this  project  of  meditated 
treachery,  that  it  is  difficult  to  reconcile  it  with  the  known 
character  of  General  Herkimer.  And  yet  it  is  given  on  the 
written  authority  of  Waggoner  himself,  whose  character  was 
equally  respectable.  The  patriotic  veteran,  in  devising  such  a 
scheme,  had  probably  reasoned  himself  into  the  belief  that  the 
intended  victims  were  oyily  Indians,  and  that  in  the  emergency 
of  the  country,  it  would  be  justifiable  to  do  evil  that  good  might 
come.  It  was,  however,  a  most  reprehensible  scheme  —scarce- 
ly less  defensible  than  the  murder,  by  Catharine  de  Medicis,  of 
some  of  the  Huguenot  chiefs,  who  were  invited  to  Paris  under 
the  guise  of  friendship,  on  the  eve  of  the  Bartholomew  massa- 
cre, and  treacherously  taken  off  by  poison  ;  and  equal  in  its 
purposed  atrocity,  though  upon  a  smaller  scale,  to  the  subse- 
quent treachery  of  Ali  Pacha  of  Egypt,  in  regard  to  the 
Mamelukes,  whom  he  caused  to  be  decoyed  into  the  strong-hold 
of  Cairo,  and  slaughtered.  Indian  that  he  was,  there  is  no 
known  act  of  perfidy  chargeable  upon  Brant ;  and  he  had  met 
Herkimer  on  his  own  invitation.  A  betrayal  of  his  confidence, 
Tuider  those  circumstances,  would  have  brought  a  stain  upon 
the  character  of  the  Provincials,  which  all  the  waters  of  the 
Mohawk  could  not  have  washed  away. 

Fortunately,  however,  the  design  was  not  carried  into  exe- 
cution. Whether  the  wary  chieftain  entertained  any  suspi- 
cions of  foul  play,  is  not  known.  Bat,  certain  it  is,  that  his 
precaution  and  his  bearing,  when  he  arrived  at  Herkimer's 
quarters,  were  such  as  to  frustrate  the  purpose.  As  he  entered 
the  circle,  attended  as  before,  he  drew  himself  up  with  dignity, 
and  addressed  General  Herkimer  as  follows: — "I  have  five 
"  hundred  warriors  with  me,  armed  and  ready  for  battle.  You 
"  are  in  my  power  ;  but  as  we  have  been  friends  and  neigh- 


r  it 


ii 


I  I 


W: 


i  > 


I   H 


II  i 


I   'i 


1'    i'' 

m  If! 


ISG 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1777. 


"  bors,  I  will  not  take  the  advantage  of  yon."*  Sayinar  which, 
at  a  signal,  a  host  of  his  armed  warriors  darted  forth  from  the 
contiguons  forest,  all  painted  and  ready  for  the  onslaught,  as 
the  well-known  war-whoop  hut  too  clearly  proclaimed.  The 
chief  continued  the  discourse  by  advising  the  General  to  go 
back  to  his  own  home— thanked  him  for  his  civility  in  coming 
thus  far  to  see  him,  and  told  him  that  perhaps  he  might  one 
day  return  the  compliment.  Meantime,  he  said,  he  would  go 
back  to  his  village,  and  for  the  present  the  General  might  rest 
assured  that  no  hostilities  should  be  committed  by  the  Indians. 
He  then  requested  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stuart,  the  English  mis- 
sionary at  Fort  Hunter,  might  be  permitted  to  retire  into  Cana- 
da, as  also  the  wife  of  Colonel  Butler.  To  these  requests  Ge- 
neral Herkimer  assented,  although  the  latter  was  not  complied 
with.  lie  then  presented  the  Indians  with  ten  or  a  dozen 
heads  of  cattle,  which  they  fell  upon  and  slaughtered  inconti- 
nently.t  Brant  himself  turned  proudly  away,  and  buried 
himself  in  the  forest ;  while  General  Herkimer  struck  his  tents, 
and  retraced  his  steps  to  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk. 

Thus  terminated  this  most  singular  conference.  "  It  was 
"  early  in  July,  and  the  morning  was  remarkably  clear  and 
"  beautiful.  But  the  echo  of  the  war-whoop  had  scarcely  died 
"  away,  before  the  heavens  became  black,  and  a  violent  storm 
"  obliged  each  party  to  seek  the  nearest  shelter.  Men  less  su- 
"  perstitious  than  many  of"  the  unlettered  yeomen,  who,  leaning 
"  upon  their  arms,  were  witnesses  of  the  events  of  this  day, 
"  could  not  fail  in  after-times  to  look  back  upon  the  tempest,  if 
*'  not  as  an  omen,  at  least  as  an  emblem  of  those  bloody  nias- 
"  sacres  with  which  these  Indians  and  their  associates  afterward 
"  visited  the  inhabitants  of  this  unlbrtunate  frontier."]: 

This  was  the  last  conference  held  with  the  hostile  Mohawks. 
Their  chief  very  soon  afterward  drew  off  his  warriors  from  the 
Susquehanna,  and  united  them  to  the  forces  of  Sir  John  John- 
son and  Colonel  John  Butler,  who  were  concentrating  the  torios 
and  refugees  at  Oswego.  It  was  at  about  the  same  period 
that  the  officers  of  the  British  Indian  department  had  sum- 
moned n  general  council  of  the  Six  Nations,  to  bo  held  at  that 
place ;  and  it  is  probable  that  Brant  arrived  at  the  post  with  his 


Woggoncr'B  manuscrijit. 


t  Idem. 


I  Annuls  of  Trjon  Coun'y. 


1777.] 


GREAT    COUNCIL    AT    OSWEGO. 


187 


ii'y. 


waiTiors  for  thdt  occasion.  According  to  Ramsay,  the  invita- 
tions to  this  council  were  sent  forth  by  Gny  Johnson,  the  In- 
dians being  requested  to  assemble  "  to  eat  the  flesh  and  drink 
the  blood  of  a  Bostonian."  This  language  was  understood 
figuratively,  however, — the  roasting  of  an  ox  and  a  banquet  be- 
ing intended. 

The  council  having  assembled,*  the  business  was  opened  by 
the  British  Commissioners,  who  informed  the  chiefs  that  their 
object  in  calling  the  meeting  was  to  engage  their  assistance  in 
subduing  the  rebel  Colonies,  the  people  of  which  had  risen  up 
against  the  good  King  their  master,  and  were  about  to  rob  him 
of  a  great  part  of  his  wealth  and  possessions.  As  an  induce- 
ment to  enter  the  service,  they  were  promised  an  ample  reward. 
The  chiefs  in  reply,  or  rather  those  of  them  who  were  averse 
to  joining  in  tlie  war,  informed  the  British  ofllcers  of  the  trej'ty 
of  German  Flatts  and  Albany,  in  which  they  had  boimd  them- 
selves to  take  no  part  in  the  contest,  and  tlie  parties  to  that 
comi)act  repeated  their  determination  to  abide  by  the  treaty,  and 
not  take  up  the  hatchet  against  their  white  neiglibors. 

The  discussions  were  protracted,  nor  wore  the  entreaties  of 
the  Commissioners  of  any  avail  against  the  resolution  of  the 
Indians  to  maintain  their  good  faith,  until  they  addressed  their 
avarice,  "  by  telling  them  that  the  people  of  the  Colonies  were 
"few  in  number,  and  would  be  easily  subdued  ;  and  that  on 
"  account  of  their  disobedience  to  the  King,  they  justly  merited 
"  all  the  punishment  that  it  was  possible  for  wiiite  men  and 
"  Indians  to  inflict  upon  thom.  The  King,"  they  said,  "  was 
"  ricli  i\\n\  powerful,  both  in  money  and  subjects.  His  nmi 
"  was  as  plenty  as  the  water  in  Lake  Ontario,  and  his  men  as 
"  numerous  as  the  sands  upon  its  shore;  and  the  Indiatis  were 
"assured,  that  if  they  would  assist  in  the  war,  and  persevere 

•  Thn  only  tcroiinl  of  this  great  Indiiin  council,  (farther  than  tlio  mrro  ntntcmont 
thiif  siirh  tt  roiimil  wti»  hi'ld,)  whiihtlio  luillior  has  hncn  aliio  to  tii«covcr,  i*  that 
Hivcn  in  tlio  lifoof  Mmy  JiMiii^on,  n  wliiiu  woman,  who,  hi'inji  InKcn  captive  nror 
Pittxhiirjjh  in  llHi,  whi'n  o  child,  uOor  iicr  pari'iiln  wrro  killnl,  was  raixrd  hy  the 
Indiana,  and  hccanie  in  fact  ono  of  them,  in  every  tliinii  l)ut  hor  l>irlh  ond  complex- 
ion. Sliu  niniricd  an  Iiidiiin,  und  lived  tu  a  very  advanced  aj{<',  and  died  among 
thotn.  Slio  WON  prenent  at  thii*  council ;  and  from  Iho  fact  that  the  truth  of  other 
portions  of  her  interoMins  narrative  ii  sustained  hy  other  authoritie«,  her  ilatenirnt 
inoy  be  rocnivcd  aa  Ruhstantiolly  correct.  The  life  of  thin  rcnmrkahin  woman,  who 
died  but  n  few  yoari  lincn,  wai  puhhaUud  l)y  James  D.  Domiii,  of  CanMidaiguk. 
Tlicro  will  bo  icvoral  occuBioni  of  referring;  to  it  iicrcuflur. 


■  I! 


,  t. 


'   H 


188 


LIFE    01'    BRANT. 


[1777. 


"  in  their  friendship  for  the  King  until  its  close,  they  should 
"  never  want  for  goods  or  money."*  Overcome  by  their  per- 
severing importunities,  and  by  more  direct  and  palpable  appeals 
to  their  senses,  in  a  rich  display  of  tawdry  articles  calculated 
to  please  their  fancies,  the  Indians  proved  recreant  to  their 
plighted  faith  to  the  Colonies,  and  concluded  a  treaty  of  alliance 
with  Great  Britain — binding  themselves  to  take  up  the  hatchet 
against  the  rebels,  and  continue  in  his  Majesty's  service  until 
they  were  subdued. 

At  the  close  of  the  treaty,  each  Indian  was  presented  with  a 
r.uit  of  clothes,  a  brass  kettle,t  a  gun,  a  tomahawk  and  scalping- 
knife,  a  quantity  of  ammunition,  a  piece  of  gold,  and  the  pro- 
mise of  a  bounty  upon  every  scalp  they  should  bring  in. 
*-  Thus  richly  clad  and  equipped,  the  Indians  returned  to  their 
"  respective  homes,  after  an  absence  of  about  two  weeks,  full 
"  of  the  fire  of  war,  and  anxious  to  encounter  their  (new-made) 
"  enemies." 

From  that  day  Thnycndanegca  was  the  acknowledged  chief 
of  the  Six  Nations,  and  he  soon  became  one  of  the  master- 
.spirits  of  the  motley  forces  employed  by  Great  Britain  in  hor 
alteuipts  to  recover  the  Mohawk  Valley,  and  to  annoy  the  other 
settlements  of  what  then  constituted  the  North-western  frontier. 
Whether  in  the  conduct  of  a  campaign  or  of  a  scouting-parly, 
in  the  pitched  battle  or  the  foray,  this  crafty  and  dauntless 
chieftain  was  sure  to  bo  one  of  the  most  eflicienf,  as  he  was 
one  of  the  bravest,  of  those  who  were  engaged.  Combining 
with  the  native  hardihood  and  sagacity  of  liis  race  the  advan- 
tages of  education  and  of  civilized  life, — in  acquiring  which,  ho 
had  lost  nothing  ol  his  activity  or  his  power  of  endurance — he 
became  the  most  formidable  border  foe  witii  whom  the  Provin- 
cials had  to  contend,  and  his  name  wos  a  terror  to  the  land. 
His  niovements  were  at  once  so  secret  and  so  ropid,  that  he 
sc(Muod  ahnost  to  be  clothed  with  the  power  of  ubiipnty. 

The  first  of  his  hostile  demonstrations  within  the  Colony  of 
New- York  is  believed  to  have  been  made  in  the  month  of  May 
preceding  the  interview   with  General   Herkimer ;   although 


'T  1 


♦  Life  of  Mnry  .Ti>nii«nii,  writleti  in  189.1. 

t  The  brnsK  kcttlcH  received  nt  Okwpjjo  i)y  tlin  Smrrnn,  (to  wliieli  tribe  Mnry  l>r- 
lunged,)  on  IhoM-cntion  nunitioned  in  thu  text,  were  yat  in  luo  in  tl>kt  nation,  lo  lato 
Bi  1833. 


1777.] 


AFFAIRS    AT    CHERRY    VALLEY. 


189 


from  the  semi-pacifi  intercourse  maintained  with  him  lor  seve- 
ral weeks  longer,  tlie  fact  was  not  then  certainly  known.  The 
settlement  of  Cherry  Valley  was  commenced  in  1739  ;  and  in 
consequence  of  some  threatened  Indian  troubles,  a  detachment 
of  troops  had  been  stationed  tliere  as  early  as  1763.  But  no 
military  works  were  erected,  and  the  breaking  out  of  the  war 
of  the  Revolution  found  the  place  defenceless.  While  Brant 
was  collecting  his  warriors  at  Oghkwaga,  however,  the  inha- 
bitants bethought  themselves  of  the  necessity  of  defences.  But 
not  having  the  means  to  undertake  the  erection  of  any  formid- 
able work,  the  house  of  Colonel  Samuel  Campbell  was  selected 
as  the  largest,  stroh  ^st,  aid  most  eligibly  situated  for  military 
purposes.  A  rude  etub.  ikment  of  logs  and  earth  was  thrown 
up  around  this  building,  so  extended  in  its  dimensions  as  like- 
wise to  include  two  large  barns.  These  buildings  were  all 
strengthened,  and  provided  with  doors  and  window-shutters 
bullet-proof.  Small  block-houses  were  also  erected  within 
the  enclosure  ;  and  to  this  place,  in  moments  of  peril  and  alarm, 
the  inhabitants  fled  for  protection.  Martial  law  was  proclaim- 
ed, and  no  persons  were  allowed  either  to  enter  or  leave  the 
settlement  without  permission. 

Toward  the  close  of  May,  and  soon  after  these  precautionary 
measures  had  been  executed.  Brant  conceived  the  idea  of 
making  a  descent  upon  the  settlement,  for  the  purpose  of  either 
killing,  or  making  captive,  the  principal  inhabitants,  especially 
the  vigilant  mc.nbers  of  the  Committee.  It  has  been  stated  in 
a  former  page,  that  among  the  precautionary  measures  adopted 
the.  preceding  year,  the  exempts  from  military  duty  hui  orga- 
nized thetnselves  into  a  volunteer  company.  The  martial  fever 
of  course  descended  from  sire  to  son  ;  and  as  the  population 
had  been  considerably  augmented  by  the  arrival  of  distant  set- 
tlers for  safety,  a  goodly  munbcr  of  boys  were  collected,  who 
formed  a  corps  of  cadets,  with  no  better  armor  than  wooden 
swords  and  guns.  These  juvenile  soldiers  happened  to  be 
parading  upon  the  esplanade  in  front  of  (^jIoucI  (^ampbell's 
iiotise  at  the  very  hour,  one  bright  sunny  morning,  when 
Brant  and  his  party  of  warriors,  who  had  secretly  arrived  troin 
Oghkwnga,  were  reconnoitoring  the  post  under  shelter  of  a 
tangled  thicket  skirting  the  brow  of  a  hill  about  a  mile  distant. 
His   vision    being  .somewhat  obstructed  by  the   intercepting 


*  i 


ill 


•  f 


190 


LIFE    OF   BRANT. 


[1777. 


Pi' 


I 


J .  -  /'' 


[  ■    '^'' 


i. 


,!• 


shrubbery,  the  chief  mistook  the  lads  for  bo7m  fide  soldiers. 
Observing  the  semblance  of  a  fortification  before  described, 
Captain  Brant  moved  his  party  to  a  convenient  lurkinjr-placc 
near  the  road  leading  to  the  Mohawk  river,  and  there  lay  in 
ambush  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  such  information  as  migiit 
chance  to  come  in  his  way.  A  short  distance  from  where  the 
chief  lay  ensconced  behind  a  large  rock,  "  the  road  wound 
"along  near  the  edge  of  a  cliff,  ovemanging  a  rocky  glen  of 
"  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  deep.  This  chasm  was  shaded  by 
"  evergreens,  and  the  whole  scene  was  shadowy  and  almost 
"  dark,  even  at  mid-day.  The  wildness  of  the  place  was  in- 
"  creased  by  the  dashing  of  a  mountain-torrent  into  the  gloomy 
"  abyss,  called,  by  the  Indians,  the  falls  of  Tekaharawa."* 

It  chanced,  that  on  the  morning  of  that  day.  Lieutenant 
Wormwood,  a  promising  young  officer  from  Palatine,  of  an 
opulent  family,  had  been  despatched  to  Cherry  Valley,  with  in- 
formation to  the  authorities  that  a  detachment  from  Colonel 
Klock's  regiment  of  militia  was  to  march  to  their  defence  on 
the  following  day.  It  was  toward  evening  that  Lieut.  Worm- 
wood started  on  his  return  to  the  Mohawk,  accompanied  by 
the  bearer  of  some  despatches,  named  Peter  Sitz.  As  he  mounted 
his  horse  in  the  village,  he  threw  down  his  portmanteau,  re- 
marking that  ho  needed  not  to  take  it,  as  he  should  return  on 
the  next  morning  with  his  company.  lie  was  well-mounted, 
and  richly  dressed  "  in  a  suit  of  ash-colored  velvet,  Avhicli  at- 
tracted much  attention  during  his  stay ;"  and  many  persons 
remained  at  the  door,  looking  at  the  noble  bearing  of  the  yomig 
patriot,  until  he  disappeared  behind  the  crest  of  the  hill  in  the 
direction  of  the  Tekaharawa.  Scarcely,  liowever,  had  tho 
clattering  of  hoofs  died  away  upon  their  ears,  before  a  discliargo 
of  musketry  resounded  from  the  glen — the  s^utling  report  being 
speedily  followed  by  tho  soldier's  horse,  returning  at  full  speed, 
the  saddle  crimsoned  with  blood.  Suspicions  of  the  most  pain- 
ful description  at  onco  flashed  upon  tho  minds  of  tho  people, 
and  a  party  was  inunediately  despatched  to  investigate  the  cir- 
cumstances. They  returned  without  success  that  night,  but 
on  tho  following  morning  ilie  body  of  Wormwood  was  found 
behind  the  rock  heretofore  described,  scalped  and  lifeless.    It 

•  Anntli  or  Tryun  County. 


i  il  * 


1777.] 


MURDEIl    OF   CORNSTOCK. 


191 


afterward  appeared,  that  as  Wormwood  and  Sitz  approached 
the  rock,  they  were  hailed,  but  instead  of  answering,  they  put 
spurs  to  their  liorses  and  endeavored  to  pass.  Being  fired  upon, 
Lieutenant  Wormwood  fell  wounded,  as  did  the  horse  of  Sitz. 
The  Indians  rushed  forth  from  their  ambuscade,  and  Sitz  was 
made  prisoner  ;  while  the  gallant  officer  was  scalped  by  Brant's 
own  hand.  The  chief  is  said  to  have  lamented  the  death  of 
this  young  man.  They  were  not  only  acquaintances,  but 
friends  ;  and  he  had  been  fired  upon  under  the  supposition  that 
he  was  an  oiTicer  of  the  Continental  army.*  The  despatches 
carried  by  Sitz  were  doiible,  and  it  was  fortunate  that  he  had 
sufHcient  presence  of  mind  to  destroy  the  genuine,  and  deliver 
the  delusive  papers  to  his  savage  captors.  Deceived  thereby 
as  to  the  real  strength  at  Cherry  Valley,  Brant  retired  without 
committing  any  farther  act  of  hostility.  Colonel  Klock  arrived 
at  Cherry  Valley  on  the  following  morning,  accompanied  by 
the  afflicted  father  of  the  slaughtered  officer,  who  was  mourned 
and  wept  by  all  who  knew  him. 

Another  coincident  event,  forming  an  appropriate  conclusion 
to  the  present  chapter,  was  the  tragic  death  of  the  great  Shuwa- 
nese  chief,  Cornstock,  with  his  gallant  son,  Ellini psico ;  both  of 
whom  will  be  remembered  as  among  the  brave  Indian  leaders 
at  the  battle  of  the  Kanhawa,  the  last  action  of  the  Crcsap  war, 
in  1771 ;  and  both  of  whom  were  now  as  basely  murdered  by 
white  men,  as  were  the  family  of  Logan.  The  circumstances 
attending  this  foul  transaction  were  these  :  — Cornstock,  after  the 
defeat  of  his  warriors  at  Point  Pleasant,  and  his  subsequent  treaty 
of  i)eaco  with  Lord  Dumnore,  had  become  sincerely  and  truly 
the  friend  of  the  Colonies  ;  and  while  the  Indians  of  the  North- 
west, generally,  were  preparingtolaUeup  arms  with  the  I'.nglisli, 
}ieexert(!(l  himself  to  the  utmost  lo  prevent  his  own  nation  from 
any  participation  in  the  contest.  But  the  iudumice  of  the  Bri- 
tish agents,  and  the  examjjleof  the  surrounding  Indian  nations, 
were  so  powerful  upon  the  minds  of  the  Slunvanese,  thatC^orn- 
stock  perceived  his  pacific  ell'orts  were  likely  to  prove  futile. 
Thus  circumstanced,  he  repaired  to  the  fort  which  liad  been 
erected  at  Point  Pleasant  ixWv.y  the  battle  of  the  Kanhawn,  to 
luy  Iho  matter  luiforo  the  officer  in  rommand — Captain  Ar- 


Amial*  iirTiyim  (  ounty. 

80 


i'^vmrf 


M    If 


1  ' 


'til 


192 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1777 


buckle — and  take  his  advice.  He  was  accompanied  on  this 
mission  by  a  young  Delaware  chief  named  Redhawk,  who  had 
also  fought  by  his  side  in  the  Cresap  war.  Having  made  a  full 
developement  of  the  state  of  Indian  affairs  in  the  North-west, 
and  frankly  admitted  that,  from  the  causes  already  indicated, 
he  should  be  unable  to  prevent  the  Shawanese  from  taking  up 
the  hatchet  in  the  cause  of  the  Crown,  the  commander  of  the 
fort  deemed  it  expedient  to  detain  the  old  chief,  with  his  Dela- 
ware companion,  as  hostages  for  the  good  conduct  of  their 
people.  Nor  did  they  remain  unwillingly — little  anticipating 
the  fate  that  awaited  them— and  giving  all  the  information  re- 
specting the  Indians  and  their  country,  that  could  be  desired  by 
the  Americans. 

Uneasy  at  the  protracted  abs-  ".ce  of  his  father,  Ellinipsico, 
his  son,  went  m  pursuit,  and  traced  him  to  the  fort,  where  they 
Jiad  an  afiectionate  meeting.  Unfortunately,  the  day  after  the 
arrival  of  the  young  warrior  at  Point  Pleasant,  two  white  men 
having  crossed  the  Kanhawa  on  a  hunting  expedition,  were 
fired  upon  by  some  straggling  Indians,  and  one  of  them,  whose 
name  was  Gilmore,  was  killed.  The  other  escaped.  No  sooner 
was  the  event  of  Oilmore's  death  known,  than  the  cry  of  re- 
venge was  raised,  and  a  party  of  ruffians  assembled,  under  the 
command  of  a  Captain  Hall — not  to  pursue  and  punish  the 
perpetrators  of  the  murder — but  to  fall  upon  the  friendly  and 
peaceable  Indians  in  the  fort.  Arming  themselves,  and  cocking 
their  riiies,  they  proceeded  directly  to  the  little  garrison,  menac- 
ing death  to  any  or  all  who  should  oppose  their  nefarious  de- 
signs. Some  friend  of  the  hostage-chiefs  attempted  to  apprise 
them  in  advance  of  the  approaching  danger  ;  but  the  savage 
mob  were  j>robably  too  close  upon  the  heels  of  tlie  messenger 
to  allow  of  their  escape.  At  the  sound  of  the  clamor  without, 
KUiuipsico  is  said  to  have  been  somewhat  agitated.  Not  so  the 
veteran  Cornstock.  He  had  too  often  grappled  with  death  on 
the  war-path  to  fear  his  approaches  now.  Perceiving  tlie  emo- 
tion of  his  son,  he  calmly  observed :—"  ;lfy  .so/»,  the  Great 
"  Spirit  has  seen  fit  that  ire  should  die  together,  and  has  sent 
*^ you  to  that  end.  It  is  his  will,  and  let  ns  submit"  Tho 
infuriated  mob  had  now  gained  the  apartment  of  the  victims  ; 
Cornstock  fell,  perforated  with  seven  bullets,  and  died  without 
a  struggle.     The  son,  alter  the  exhortation  of  his  liither,  met 


1777.] 


MUHDER    OP    CORXSTOCK. 


193 


his  fate  with  composure,  and  was  shot  on  the  seat  upon  whicli 
he  was  sitting.  Red-hawk,  the  young  Delaware,  died  with 
less  fortitude.  He  hid  liimself  away,  but  was  discovered  and 
•lain.  Another  friendly  Indian,  m  the  fort  at  the  time,  was 
Hkewise  killed,  and  his  body  mangled  by  the  barbarians  in  a 
manner  that  would  have  disgraced  savages  of  any  other  com- 
plexion. "Thus,"  says  an  Indian  Chronicler,*  "perished  the 
"  mighty  Cornstock,  sachem  of  the  Shawanese,  and  king  ot 
"  the  Northern  confederacy,  in  1774 — a  chief  remarkable  for 
"  many  great  and  good  qualities.  He  was  disposed  to  be  at  nil 
"  times  the  friend  of  white  men,  as  he  was  ever  the  advocate 
'=  of  honorable  peace.  But  when  his  country's  wrongs  sum- 
"  moned  him  to  the  battle,  he  became  the  thunderbolt  of  war, 
"  and  made  his  enemies  feel  the  weight  of  his  arm.  His  noble 
"  bearing,  his  generous  and  disinterested  attachment  to  the 
"  Colonies,  his  auxiety  to  preserve  the  frontier  of  Virginia  from 
"  desolation  and  death,  all  conspired  to  win  for  him  the  esteem 
"  and  respect  of  others  ;  while  the  untimely  and  perfidious  man- 
"  ner  of  his  death  caused  a  deep  and  lasting  feeling  of  regret 
"  to  pervade  the  bosoms,  even  of  those  who  were  enemies  to 
"  his  nation,  and  excited  the  just  indignation  of  all  toward  his 
"  inhuman  murderers." 

It  argues  a  sad  deficiency  of  military  discipline,  that  such  a 
foul  transaction  could  have  occurred  at  any  regularly  estabhsh- 
ed  post.  The  command  of  Arbuckle,  however,  must  have 
been  small,  inasmuch  as  he  wos  not  only  opposed  to  the  com- 
mission of  the  outrage,  but  sallied  forth,  in  company  with  ano- 
other  captain,  named  Stuart,  for  the  purpose  of  intercepting  the 
ruffians,  and  preventing  the  e:  icution  of  their  purpose.  But 
all  remonstrance  was  vain.  The  enraged  assailants,  pale,  and 
quivering  whh  fury,  presented  their  rifles  to  the  breasts  of  those 
officers,  threatening  them  with  instant  death  if  they  stood  in 
their  way.  It  has  been  said  that  Cornstock  felt  a  presentiment 
of  his  death  on  the  morniuff  of  its  occurrence.  A  council  had 
been  summoned  for  the  consideration  of  some  business  of  im- 
portance, connected,  probably,  with  Indian  aflliiirs,  since  the  old 
chief  bore  a  part  in  the  deliberations.  In  the  course  of  one  of 
his  speeches  delivered  on  that  occasion,  he  said,  with  emphasis, 


.'!■■■ 


.] 


r 


i   :. 


Withcrs's  Indian  Chronicles,  ai  quoted  by  Drake. 


..^^ 


if 

III: 

p 

II 1 

H 

'*M  1 

k 

■M  \ 

i 

1 

h      It 


. 


19  i 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1777. 


to  the  council : — "  When  I  was  young,  every  time  I  went  to 
"  war,  I  thought  it  likely  that  I  might  return  no  more  ;  hut 
"  I  still  lived  ;  I  am  now  in  your  hands  ;  you  may  Icill  me  if 
"  you,  choose.  I  can  die  but  once,  and  it  is  alike  to  me  iche- 
"  ther  I  die  noio  or  at  another  tiincJ^* 

The  Indian  biography  of  our  country  snppHesbut  few  addi- 
tional facts  concerning  the  life  of  this  brave  and  just  man.  He 
had  a  son,  known  among  the  whites  as  The  Wolf,  whose  name 
was  somewhat  conspicuously  associated  with  the  earlier  events 
of  the  Revolution.  The  Wolf,  with  three  others,  was  a  hostage 
at  Williamsburgh,  Virginia,  at  the  time  of  Lord  Dunmore's  em- 
barkation on  board  of  the  British  fleet.  After  the  escape  of  his 
Lordship,  he  solicited  and  obtained  an  interview  with  The 
Wolf  and  his  associates  on  board  of  his  ship  ;  during  which  he 
explained  to  them  the  causes  of  his  flight,  and  urged  them  to 
flee  also,  as  the  only  means  of  escaping  the  fury  of  the  revolu- 
tionists. Adopting  this  counsel,  they  took  to  the  woods  on  re- 
turning to  the  shore.  The  night  following  came  on  excessive- 
ly  dark.  One  of  The  Wolf's  companions  separated  from  his 
fellows,  and  was  lost.  The  others  soon  afterward  returned  to 
Williamsburgh.  where  they  were  well  received  by  the  inhabit- 
tants.  What  farther  bcfel  The  Wolf,  or  the  house  of  Cornstock, 
is  not  known. 

•  Doddridge's  Indian  Wars,  pp.  23S— 240. 


ill 


CHAPTER  IX. 

British  preparations,  for  the  prosecution  of  the  war — Indications  at  the  North — Doubt- 
ful position  and  conduct  of  General  Howe — Embarrassing  to  the  Americans — In- 
tercepted corresponder  —General  Howe  sails  to  the  Chesapeake — Enters  Phila- 
delphia in  triumph- -uurgoyne  approaches  from  the  North — Indian  policy — Sir 
Ctuv  Carleton — False  estimates  of  the  strength  of  Ticondcroga — Burgoyne  arrives 
at  Crown  Point — Feasts  the  Indians — Invests  Ticondcroga — Carries  the  out- 
works— Fortilies  Sugar  Hill — The  fortress  evacuated  by  St.  Clair — Rctreatof  the 
Americans — Battles  near  Skenesborough  and  at  Fort  Ann — Burgoyne  enters  the 
valley  of  (rie  Hudson — Schuyler,  without  means,  retreats  from  Fort  Edward — 
Terror  of  the  people — Cruelties  of  tlic  Indians — Story  of  Miss  M'Crea — General 
flight  of  the  population — Mrs.  Ann  Eliza  Bleecker — Heroism  of  Mrs.  Schuyler — 
Attempted  assassination  of  General  Schuyler. 

Having  failed  in  their  efforts  to  extinguish  the  rebellion  dur- 
ing the  preceding  year,  the  government  of  the  parent  country 
resolved  to  put  forth  still  greater  energies  during  the  present. 
For  this  purpose  a  powerful  force  was  organized  in  Canada, 
the  command  of  which  was  transferred  from  Sir  Guy  Carle- 
ton — the  ablest  British  General,  by  the  way,  at  that  time  or 
subsequently  in  America — and  conferred  upoii  General  Bur- 
goyne— an  officer,  also,  of  unquestioned  merit— whose  spirit  of 
enterprise  and  thirst  for  military  glory  could  not  be  exceeded. 
It  was  the  aim  of  this  Northern  army  to  open  a  communication 
between  Canada  and  New- York — thus  cutting  off  New-Eng- 
land, which  the  ministry  justly  considered  the  Iiot-bed  of  the 
Revolution,  from  all  communication  with  the  Middle  States ; 
while  Sir  William  Howe,  with  an  army  of  IG.OOO  men,  was  to 
withdraw  from  New  Jersey,  and  move  round  simultaneously 
to  the  Chesapeake,  ond  take  possession  of  the  Middle  States  ; 
and  thus,  as  it  was  hoped,  compel  the  whole  to  return  to  their 
allegiance. 

Doubts,  however,  for  several  months  hung  over  the  intentions 
of  the  enemy,  whose  designs  were  so  skilfully  veiled  as  for  a 
long  time  almost  to  paralyze  the  exertions  of  the  Americans. 
The  retreat  of  Carleton  from  Lake  Champlain,  the  preceding 
Autumn,  even  after  the  lake  was  in  his  power  and  Crown 
Point  in  his  posscssii^n,  suggested  a  doubt  whether  a  serious 
invasion  was  meditated  from  that  quarter.  On  the  contrary, 
the  impression  was  general  that  the  expedition  of  Burgoyne 
was  destined  against  Boston ;  and  that  Sir  William  Howe,  whoso 


)  i 


!l 


.  i    ! 

'  '   i. 

t  i: 


i'l'l 


d 


196 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1777. 


Ill 


,1, 1   ■    :    1  a--, 


'   SV 


movements  in  New  Jersey  were  enigmatical  to  perplexity,  was 
to  co-operate  in  an  effort  to  re-subjngate  New  England.  The 
British  government  itseK,  as  it  is  beheved,  contributed  to  the 
distractions  of  Congress  and  the  American  commander,  by 
causing  reports  to  be  circulated  that  Boston  was  to  be  the  next 
point  of  attack.  Arthur  Lee,  being  then  in  Bordeaux,  was 
thus  confidentially  advised,  and  he  lost  no  time  in  communi- 
cating such  supposed  intention  to  the  Secret  Committee  of 
Congress,  wfio  in  turn  gave  the  like  information  to  the  Com- 
mander-in-chief, and  also  to  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts. 
The  consequence  of  these  distractions  was  unfortunate  for 
the  Americans.  Less  attention  was  paid  to  preparations  for 
the  defence  of  the  North  than  otherwise  would  have  been  given  ; 
while  Massachusetts,  apprehending  that  all  her  strength  would 
be  required  for  her  own  defence,  set  about  raising  troops  for 
her  own  protection,  at  the  expense  of  the  main  army,  from 
which  its  quota  of  recruits  was  withheld.* 

Before  the  close  of  June,  however,  the  designs  of  the  enemy 
in  regard  to  the  North  became  obvious.  A  person  from  Cana- 
da, arrested  as  a  spy,  and  brought  before  General  Schuyler, 
stated  on  his  examination,  "  that  the  British  forces  were  ap- 
"  proaching  St.  Johns,  and  were  to  advance  through  Lake 
"  Champlain  under  General  Biirgoyne  ;  and  also  that  adetach- 
'•'  ment  of  British  troops,  Canadians  and  Indians,  was  to  pene- 
"  trate  the  country  by  the  way  of  Oswego  and  the  Valley  of  the 
"  Mohawk.  He  added  many  particulars,  respecting  the  strength 
"  and  arrangements  of  the  British  army,  which  turned  out  in 
"  the  end  to  be  nearly  accurate,  but  of  which  no  intelligence 
"  had  before  been  obtained,  or  by  many  anticipated." t 

The  movements  of  General  Howe  were  still  equivocal,  even 
after  Burgoyne  had  commenced  his  descent  upon  the  North — 
thus  adding  to  the  embarrassments  of  Washington.  And  in 
order  the  more  certainly  to  mislead  the  American  commander 
as  to  his  real  intentions,  General  Howe  wrote  a  feigned  des- 
patch to  Burgoyne,  on  the  subject  of  ascending  the  Hudson  to 
join  him,  the  bearer  of  which  fell  purposely  into  the  hands  of 
the  Americans,  while  pretending  to  be  on  his  way  to  Canada. 
Unable,  therefore,  to  determine  whether  such  might  not  bo  his 


♦  Letters  of  Washington,  during  the  monlhs  of  Mny,  Juno,  and  July,  1777. 
\  Sparks— Nwtu  in  Lifu  and  Cor.  of  Waslungton,  vol.  iv. 


3     ■ 

1^ 


1777.] 


MANOEUVRES    OF    GENERAL    HOWE. 


197 


by 


was 


design,  (although  the  intercepted  despatch  was  regarded  with 
strong  suspicion,)  or  whether,  on  the  other  hand,  it  might  not 
be  the  purpose  of  Howe  to  pass  round  to  the  Chesapeake  and 
thence  strike  at  Philadelphia,  the  American  General  was  com- 
pelled to  remain  inactively  watching  his  motions,  strengthening, 
in  the  mean  time,  to  the  utmost  of  his  power,  his  positions  in 
the  highlands — without  being  able  to  detach  any  large  number 
of  troops  to  the  assistance  of  General  Schuyler,  then  command- 
ing the  Northern  Department.  And  eveii  after  General  Howe 
had  embarked  his  troops  and  dropped  down  to  Sandy  Hook — 
having  evacuated  New  Jersey  on  the  30th  of  June* — Washing- 
ton was  still  in  doubt  whether  it  might  not  yet  be  his  intention 
to  return  with  the  tide,  and  pass  up  the  river  in  the  night. t 
Such,  however,  was  no  part  of  the  plan  of  the  British  com- 
mander. His  destination,  on  leaving  the  harbor  of  New-York, 
was  the  Chesapeake  and  Philadelphia ;  anu  tlie  latter  branch 
of  the  campaign  indicated  in  the  opening  of  the  present  chapter, 
was  so  far  successful,  that  after  a  series  of  victories  over  the 
forces  of  General  Washington,  commencing  at  Brandywine 
and  ending  at  Germantown,  General  Howe  took  possession  of, 
and  established  himself  in,  the  capital  of  Pennsylvania. 

♦  It  is  a  pleasing  evidence  of  the  aound  religious  views  of  Washington,  that  he 
was  a  firm  believer  in  the  immediate  interpositions  of  Providence  in  directing  and 
controlling  the  afTuirs  of  men.  His  letters  abound  in  passages  that  might  be  cited, 
showing  his  quickness  to  discern  the  finger  of  Provideni;e,  and  his  readiness  to  rnak« 
the  acknowledgment.  Thus,  in  regard  to  the  departure  from  New  .Jersey  by  Gene- 
ral Howe,  he  says : — "  The  evacuation  of  Jersey  at  this  time  seems  to  be  a  peculiai 
mark  of  Providence,  as  the  inhabitants  have  an  opportunity  of  securing  their  har- 
vests of  hay  and  grain,  the  lotter  of  which  would  iji  all  probabiJily  have  undergone 
the  same  fate  with  many  farm-houses,  had  it  been  ripe  enough  to  take  fire." — Ltitcr 
of  Washington  to  Jtfo/.  Gen.  i^nmlrong,  Jitly  4,  1777. 

f  "Ifwcwcre  certain  Gen.  Burgoyne  were  approaching  Ticonderoga  with  hir 
whole  army,  I  should  not  hesitate  a  moment  in  concluding  that  it  is  in  consequence 
of  a  preconcerted  plnn  with  Gen.  Howe,  and  that  the  latter  is  to  co-opcrntn  with  hLmi 
by  pushing  his  whole  force  up  the  North  River,  and  oiining  u  stroke  in  the  first  in- 
stance and  immediately  ot  the  Hij^hlands." — Letter  of  Washington  to  the  President  of 
Congress,  July  2.  Again,  in  several  successive  letters,  after  the  embarkation  of 
General  Howe's  army  from  Staten  Island,  Washington  spoke  of  the  j)erplexity  in 
which  he  was  kept  by  the  shifting  munccuvres  of  the  fleet.  On  the  22d  of  July  he 
wrote— "I  cannot  give  you  any  certain  account  of  Generol  Howe's  operations.  His 
conduct  is  puzzling  and  embarrassing  beyond  measure;  so  are  the  informations  which 
I  get.  At  one  time  the  ships  are  standing  up  toward  the  North  River ;  in  a  little 
while  they  arc  going  up  tlie  Sound  ;  and  in  one  hour  after,  they  are  going  out  of  the 
Hook."-— Letter  to  General  Schvyler.  The  fleet  actually  sailed  for  the  Capes  of  Vir- 
ginia on  Uie  23(1  of  July. 


t   ':i! 


I' 


1'- 


1 


I 


1  •< 


N" 


i    i 


H 


.•  'f 


II  I 


198 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1777. 


But  a  far  different  fortune  attended  the  arms  of  Burs^oyne. 
The  regular  troops  of  his  command,  English  and  German, 
amounted  to  above  seven  thousand  men,  added  to  which  were 
large  numbers  of  American  and  Canadian  loyalists,  together 
with  many  hundred  Indians  ;  a  species  of  force,  which,  it  has 
been  held  by  British  historians,  Sir  Guy  Carleton  was  reluctant 
to  employ,  while  General  Burgoyne,  it  has  been  alleged,  enter- 
tained no  such  scruples.  It  has  ever  been  claimed  as  a  virtue 
on  the  part  of  Carleton,  and  carried  to  the  credit  of  his  hu- 
manity, that,  rather  than  employ  the  Indians,  he  submitted  to 
the  injustice  of  having  the  command  of  this  expedition,  pro- 
perly belonging  to  him,  conferred  upon  an  officer  who  was  not 
entitled  to  lead  the  enterprise.  It  is  perhaps  true,  from  his 
more  intimate  knowledge  of  the  Indian  character,  that  he  liad 
formed  such  an  estimate  of  their  services  as  to  render  him 
somewhat  less  sanguine  than  others  as  to  their  value.  His  ex- 
perience could  not  but  have  taught  him  the  extent  of  their 
inutility  in  war,  the  capriciousness  of  their  character,  their  in- 
tractableness  and  inconstancy.  He  must  have  known  that 
their  ideas  of  war  were  totally  different  from  those  of  civilized 
nations ;  by  reason  of  which,  notwithstanding  their  ferocity, 
and  the  incredible  examples  of  passive  valor  which  they  some- 
times afford  in  cases  adapted  to  their  own  opinions,  they  "were 
nevertheless  utterly  regardless  of,  and  looked  with  contempt 
upon,  those  belligerent  usages  which  are  considered  as  honora- 
ble, generous,  and  fair  in  the  modern  service  of  civilized  men. 
He  could  not  have  been  ignorant  of  the  fact,  that  the  object 
and  desiffn  of  most  of  the  wars  in  which  the  Indians  ensaffe, 
are  not  so  much  to  conquer  by  manly  and  open  battle,  as  to 
murder  and  destroy  after  their  own  peculiar  fashion.  In  one 
word,  that  accomplished  officer  very  well  knew  the  services  of 
the  Indians  to  be  uncertain ;  their  rapacity  to  be  insatiable  ; 
their  faith  at  all  times  doubtful ;  and  their  action  cruel  to  bar- 
barity. Still,  as  we  have  already  shown  beyond  contradiction, 
he  was  among  the  first  to  court  the  alliance  and  obtain  the  ser- 
vices of  Brant  and  his  Mohawks,  on  their  descent  to  Montreal 
in  1775.  The  commendations,  therefore,  that  have  been  be- 
stowed upon  Sir  Guy  Carleton  upon  this  subject,  at  the  expense 
of  Burgoyne,  were  as  undeserved  by  the  one  as  unjust  toward 
the  other.     True,  tlie  march  of  Burgoyne  was  tracked  with 


1777.] 


CARLETON  AND  BURGOYNE. 


100 


jj^ayc, 


blood,  which  a  high-souled  officer  should  scorn  in  such  man- 
ner to  shed  ;*  but  the  footsteps  of  Carleton  might  have  been 
equally  sanguine  had  the  command  been  entrusted  to  him. 

Never,  probably,  at  the  time,  had  there  been  an  army  of 
equal  numbers  better  appointed  than  that  of  Burgoyi.o.  The 
train  of  brass  artillery,  in  particular,  was  perhaps  the  finest  that 
had  ever  been  allotted  to  an  army  noi  far  exceeding  the  present 
in  numerical  strength,  and  for  a  time  victory  seemed  to  perch 
upon  his  ensigns. 

General  Can  :ci\  it  will  be  remembered,  had  made  himself 
master  of  Lake  Champlain,  and  the  fortifications  at  Crown 
Point  the  Autumn  before.  The  first  object  for  attack  present- 
ing itself  to  General  Burgoyne,  therefore,  was  Ticonderoga — 
situated  in  the  mountain  gap  through  which  the  waters  of 
Lake  George  fall  into  Lake  Champlain.  This  fortress  was 
then  in  command  of  General  St.  Clair,  and  was  supposed  by 
the  Americans  to  be  a  post  of  great  security.  The  principal 
fortress,  the  ruins  of  which  are  yet  standing  in  frowning  and 
rugged  strength,  was  situated  on  an  angle  of  land  which  is  sur- 
rounded on  three  sides  by  water  filled  with  rocks.  A  great  part 
of  the  south  side  was  covered  by  a  deep  morass  ;  and  where 
that  failed,  in  the  north-west  quarter,  the  old  French  lines 
served  as  a  defence.  These  lines  had  been  strengthened  by 
additional  works  and  a  block-house.  The  Americans  had 
other  defences  and  block-houses  in  the  direction  of  Lake  George, 
together  with  two  new  block-houses  and  some  other  works  to 
the  right  of  the  French  lines.  Still  greater  pains  had  been 
taken  in  fortifying  the  high  circular  hill  on  the  eastern  shore 
of  the  inlet  opposite,  known  as  Mount  Independence.  On  the 
summit  of  tliis  mountain,  which  is  table-land,  the  Americans 
had  erected  a  star- fort,  enclosing  a  large  square  of  barracks, 
well  fortified,  and  supplied  with  artillery.  The  foot  of  the 
mountain,  on  the  west  side  projecting  into  the  water,  was 
strongly  entrenched  to  its  edge,  and  the  entrenchment  lined 

♦  It  is  but  just  to  this  gallnnt  but  unfortunate  officer,  liowpvcr,  to  ptatc,  that  ho 
did  all  in  his  powrr  to  restrain  tlic  excesses  and  barbarities  of  tlio  Indians.  At  tlia 
council  and  war-feast,  wliich  he  gave  tlietn  near  Crown  Point,  lie  endeavored  to  ex- 
plain to  them  the  laws  of  civilized  war ;  and  charged  tiieni  that  they  must  only  kill 
those  opposing  them  in  arms  ;  that  old  men,  women,  children,  and  prisoners,  must 
be  hold  sacred  from  the  knifo  or  hatchet,  even  in  the  heat  of  I)attlc.    But  it  did  no 

'''^'  30 


I  j 

i 

I    : 
k    I 


r  ! 


200 


LIFE    OF    URANT. 


[1777. 


V  f    9 


«;  .;       If''' 
•I  "n 


\i 


r  I 


1     . 


with  heavy  artillery.  These  lower  works  were  sustained  and 
covered  by  a  battery,  about  half-way  up  the  side  of  the  moun- 
tain, and  were  connected  by  a  bridge  across  the  inlet,  which  had 
been  constructed  at  great  labor  and  expense.*  These,  and 
other  works  of  defence,  had  been  judged  sufficient  to  render 
the  post  secure.  The  Commander-in-chief  himself,  although 
indeed  the  works  had  not  fallen  under  his  own  inspection,  had 
formed  a  very  erroneous  opinion  of  their  strength,  or  perhaps, 
to  speak  more  correctly,  of  the  natural  advantages  of  the  posi- 
tion, and  of  the  defensibility  of  the  works.f  Such,  in  fact,  was 
his  confidence  in  the  post,  that  the  idea  of  its  loss  seems  from 
his  correspondence  scarce  to  have  entered  his  mind. 

But  in  all  their  labors,  the  American  engineers  had  overlooked 
the  high  peak,  or  mountain,  called  Sugar  Hill,  situated  soutlt 
of  the  bridge,  on  the  point  of  land  at  the  confluence  of  the 
waters  of  Lakes  George  and  Champlain.  Originally  it  had 
been  supposed,  and  taken  for  granted,  that  the  crest  of  Sugar 
Hill  was  not  only  inaccessible,  but  too  distant  to  be  of  any 
avail  in  covering  the  main  fortress.  This  opinion  was  an  er- 
ror, to  which  the  attention  of  the  officers  had  been  called  the 
preceding  year  by  Colonel  John  Trumbull,  then  Adjutant- 
General  for  the  Northern  Department.  When  Colonel  Trum- 
bull made  the  suggestion,  he  was  laughed  at  by  the  mess  ;  but 
he  soon  proved  the  greater  accuracy  of  liis  own  vision,  by 
th'*owing  a  cannon  shot  to  the  summit ;  and  subsequently 
cltuubered  up  to  the  top,  accoinpaniod  by  Colonels  Wayne  and 
Arnold. t  It  was  a  criminal  neglect,  on  the  part  of  the  Ameri- 
cans, that  tlic  oversight  was  not  at  once  corrected,  by  the  con- 
struction of  a  work  upon  that  point,  which  would  have  com- 
manded the  whole  post. 

♦  London  UnivMiiil  Mo!»nzinr»,  April,  1792. 

t  "  I  am  pleased  to  find,  by  your  Iclttir  to  Congress,  thiit  n  strong  utipply  of  pro- 
viaionii  liaa  beon  Uirown  into  Tirondmogii.  Hinco  that  is  the  cane,  I  hm  no  ronton 
for  upprchrndiiig  tlmt  it  ciin  possilily  full  into  tlio  hands  of  tho  enomy  in  a  short  timn, 
fvesn  wnrn  thoy  to  brinj?  thoir  wholo  for^c  to  n  point ;  but  if  they  hiivo  divided  it  to 
make  tlin  difTuront  attacks  tlmt  you  Miuntion,Gonoriil  St.  Cluir  will,  in  all  proiinbility, 
have  an  opportunity  of  acting  on  tho  dilcnsivu ;  and  ohould  hn  not  ho  qiiito  sucueMS- 
ful,  ho  may  duina^u  v„-m  ro  considiiraltly,  that  thoy  will  not  bo  ahlu  to  attack  him  in 
his  works ;  to  whi(!U,  1  tlurcsiiy,  ho  will  always  secure  a  retreat  in  case  of  accident." — 
Lttltr  of  tVanhinKton  to  Oemral  Schvyln;  July  S,  1777. 

t  Convorsations  of  tho  author  with  Colonel  John  Trumbull,  and  alto  hii  unpub* 
liihod  mumuirH,  to  which  tlio  author  hua  hud  access. 


1777.] 


AVOUK.S    AT    TICONDEROGA. 


201 


General  Bnrgoyne  arrived  at  Crown  Point  on  the  21st  of 
June ;  and  after  meeting  and  feasting  the  Indians,  and  attempt- 
ing to  instruct  them  in  tlie  rules  and  principles  of  civilized  war, 
and  making  other  necessary  preparations — not  forgetting  to  send 
forth  a  manifesto  which  he  supposed  would  spread  terror 
through  the  Northern  Colonies — he  advanced  with  great  cau- 
tion to  the  investment  of  Ticonderoga,  where  he  arrived  on  the 
2d  of  July.  Most  unaccountably,  the  Americans  immediately 
abandoned  all  their  works  iu  the  direction  of  Lake  George — set- 
ting fire  to  the  block-houses  and  saw-mills  ;  and  without  sally 
or  other  interruption,  permitted  the  enemy,  under  Major  Gene- 
ral Phillips,  to  take  possession  of  the  very  advantageous  post 
of  Mount  Hope,  which,  besides  commanding  their  lines  in  a 
dangerous  degree,  totally  cut  off  their  communication  with 
Lake  George.  The  only  excuse  for  such  an  early  abandon- 
ment of  this  important  point,  was  found  in  the  fact  that  General 
St.  Cluir  had  not  force  enough  to  man  all  his  defences. 

One  of  the  first  objects  that  attracted  the  attention  of  the 
British  commander,  was  the  unoccupied  point  of  Sugar  Hill.  It 
was  forthwith  examined,  and  its  advantages  were  found  to  be  so 
great,  that  immediate  dispositions  were  made  for  its  occupation. 
A  winding  road  was  cut  to  its  summit,  a  battery  commenced, 
and  cannon  to  serve  it  transported  thither.  Under  ti  cse  cir- 
cumstances, finding  himself  invested  on  all  sides,  and  batteries 
ready  to  be  opened  upon  him  not  only  from  aroimd,  but  above, 
nnd  having,  moreover,  not  half  troopsenoughlo  man  his  works  — 
St.  Clair  hastily  convened  a  council  of  war  on  the  5lh  of  July, 
nnd  an  evacuation  was  unanimously  decided  upon  as  the  only 
ulternativc  for  the  emergency.* 

•  "Tho  cvacualion  ol'  Ticonderoga  and  Mount  Indrpondt-nco  ia  an  ovcnt  of 
chagrin  and  surprise,  not  miprHicndal  nor  within  tho  compass  of  my  ri'osoning.  1 
know  not  upon  wliut  principle  it  wao  fonndod,  and  I  Hliould  wuppoio  it  atill  moro 
dinicult  to  bu  accounted  for,  if  tho  garrison  amounted  to  fivo  thousand  m«<n,  in  hij^h 
ppirit*,  hcaUliy,  well  Rupplicd  with  prov>«ionii  and  ammunition,  and  the  Eustcrn  mi- 
litia marcliing  to  thuir  kuccop,  an  you  mentioned  in  your  letter  of  tho  0th  to  tlia 
Council  of  Safely  of  Now- York." — Ltttrrof  Wmhington  to  Central  Schvylir,  July 
15,  1777.  The  truth,  however,  i^,  that  the  uctuol  force  and  condition  of  St.  Cloir'i 
army  had  been  univurnally  ovor-eatimatod — aa  well  by  the  ofKcera  at  a  diatunco  oa 
by  the  public.  Tiio  oyca  of  tlui  nation  wore  turned  upon  lliat  pnat ;  and  when  (ha 
newa  ol*  tht<  retreat  went  abroad,  tho  diaiippuintmont  waa  extreme;  and  tho  loud 
voice  of  complaint  and  cenaure,  againat  the  unfurtimato  Ocneral,  waa  reiterated  from 
one  end  of  the  conlinunt  to  thu  oOiur.    Out,  notwilhatanding  tho  "chagrin "and 


•ji  •  i 


v  I 


<  || 


1  -'  » 


202 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1777. 


'i  I    » 


Following  up  such  a  promisino;  advantage,  the  British  com- 
mander pushed  forward  upon  the  retiring  army,  with  such  a 
dejrree  of  viffor  that  the  retreat  became  almost  a  rout.  The 
Americans,  however,  made  a  stand  between  Skenesborough  and 
Fort  Anne  in  a  well-contested  battle ;  but  after  much  hard 
fighting,  were  again  compelled  to  retreat.  Another  engagement 
ensued  at  Fort  Anne,  with  a  like  result ;  and  the  victorious 
Briton  entered  the  valley  of  the  Hudson,  and  took  possession  of 
Fort  Edward,  which,  weak  Jind  unprovided,  had  likewise  been 
evacuated  on  his  approach  by  General  Schuyler. 

These  movements  by  the  British  commander  had  been  made 
with  equal  vigor  and  celerity ;  and  such  was  the  confusion  of 
the  Americans  in  their  flight,  that  no  advices  of  the  disaster 
were  forwarded  by  express  to  General  Schuyler,  to  prepare  him 
for  the  approach  of  the  victors.  Indeed,  that  officer  was  suf- 
fered to  remain  several  days  without  intelligence  from  St.  Clair 
of  any  description,  excepting  some  vague  flying  rumors  of  the 
evacuation.*  During  this  suspense,  General  Schuyler  wrote  to 
the  Commanderin-chief  tipon  the  subject,  who,  in  turn,  ex- 
pressed his  amazement  at  the  mystery  which  seemed  to  hang 
over  the  alfiirs  of  the  fortress.  At  one  moment  Washington 
was  led  to  believe  that  St.  Clair  and  the  whole  garrison  had 
been  made  jirisoners,  and  at  another  that  the  rumor  of  the 
evacuation  was  wholly  untrue  ;  and  that  the  silence,  for  which 
it  baflled  conjecturo  to  account,  arose  from  the  circumstance 
that  the  Americans  were  shut  up  in  their  works.t  But  this 
doubt  did  not  continue  long.  Notwithstanding  that  the  advance 
of  the  enemy  was  rejiulsed  at  Fort  Anne,  ('olonel  Long,  who 
was  in  command  of  that  post,  iminediately  evacuated  it,  con- 
trary to  the  express  orders  of  General  Schuyler;  and  Schuyler 

"  siirprinr,"  so  keenly  fi  It  hy  tlin  Coinmnmlpr-iii-rliicf  at  the  Iom  of  tliis  iinportnnt 
post,  his  stroii;;  scnso  of  jiislicy  iiitoiposcd  to  shii  Id  tlni  iinfortiiiiuto  rommiinilcr 
fioiM  roiidomniition  nrilii'ui'd.  llii  wrolo  lo  (Jpiicrul  Sriuiylcr  on  llio  IHtli  of  .Inly, 
tiint  Ctctxriil  St.  Cliiir  owed  it  to  liimscif  to  insist  upon  iin  opportnnily  ofnivinj;  liis 
reasons  for  rvncitalins  Ticondcioun,  hut  he  nt  llic  "innc  liino  said—" I  will  not  ron- 
clpinn,  or  rvi>n  puss  (Tnsnro  upon,  an  olViror  iinnrnid."  Tinio,  hownvrr,  proved  llmt 
lie  hud  acted  iho  purl  of  a  jndieioiis  ond  slulfid  oHicer ;  hut  the  e.xeiteinent  of  Iho 
momrnt  was  so  Rreat,  caused  l)y  clmsrin  on  tlin  ono  hand  and  alarm  on  the  other, 
that  nil  oyrs  were  hlind,  and  all  ears  deal",  to  the  true  reasons  of  Iho  easo,  and  even  lo 
the  pailiatmn  cireiMnstaiires,"—  Spnrks'i  Life  nf  (iammtew  !\hmh. 

♦  Letter  from  ( J.nierul  .Schuyler  to  fieneral  Woiliinglon,  .Iidy  0,  1777. 

1  Lnttcr  from  General  Washington  in  reply. 


'I    I 


1777.] 


VICTORIOUS    ADVANCE    OP    BUROOYNE. 


203 


ex- 


Inportnnt 
liiniiiulur 
lot"  July, 
living  Ills 
Inol  con- 
Ivcd  tliiit 
kt  ol'  tlto 
lio  otiicr, 
Id  even  In 


himself,  at  the  head  of  only  fifteen  hundred  men  at  Fort  Ed- 
ward, "  without  provision,  with  little  ammunition,  not  above 
"  five  rounds  to  a  man,  having  neither  balls,  nor  lead  to  make 
"any — and  the  country  in  the  deepest  consternation,"*  was 
obliged  also  to  fall  back  in  the  direction  of  Albany.  The  blow 
was  a  severe  one  ;  but  the  Commander-in-chief  possessed  a 
soul  eqyal  to  every  crisis.  No  undue  elevation  of  spirit  fol- 
lowed his  successes ;  neither  did  the  clouds  of  adverse  fortime, 
so  frequently  darkening  the  prospect  of  the  American  arms, 
sink  him  into  despondency.!  Indeed,  each  succeeding  calami- 
ty was  but  another  test  of  his  moral  greatness,  for  he  rose  above 
them  all. 

Nothing,  however,  could  exceed  the  terror  which  these 
events  diffused  among  the  inhabitants,  not  only  of  Northern 
New-York,  but  of  the  New  England  States.  The  consterna- 
tion was,  moreover,  increased  by  the  reported  murders  and  the 
crueltiesof  thesuvagos — since  all  the  efforts  of  General  Burgoyne 
to  dissuade  thorn  from  the  perpetration  of  their  cruel  enormities 
were  inelfcctual.  Restrain  them  he  could  not;  and  it  was  ad- 
mitted by  the  British  writers  of  that  dny,  that  the  friends  of  the 
Royal  cause,  as  well  as  its  enemies,  were  equally  victims  to 
leir  indiscriminate  rage.  It  was  even  ascertained  that  the 
Jritish  officers  were  deceived  by  their  treacherous  allies,  into 
the  purchase  of  the  scalps  of  their  own  comrades. 

Among  other  instances  of  cruelty,  the  well-known  murder  ot 
Miss  Jane  M-Crea,  which  happened  in  the  early  part  of  tho 
campaign,  filled  the  public  mind  with  horror.  Every  eircum 
stance  ol  this  unnatural  and  bloody  Iransaclion — around  which 
there  lingers  a  nielancholy  interest  to  this  day  -served  to 
heighten  alike  its  interest  and  its  enormity.  Many  have  been 
tho  versions  of  this  bloody  tale.  General  Gates,  who  had 
at  this  juncture  been  most  unjustly  directed  to  supersede  Geno- 

♦  I.otlcr  of  Scluiylcr  to  Wi\!»hinj.',tt)P. 

f  "This  otroko  \»  sovt-ro  iiidcftl,  ai\(l  Imn  ilistrodsrd  un  mucli.  But,  notwillixtnnd- 
In^  tilings  nt  pruRont  linvc  a  daili  luui  );lo<iniy  nfipcct,  I  luip(<  u  (spirited  oppovilion 
will  chxxk  tlio  progroas  of  Oonorni  Hurgdync'n  army,  iind  Ihiil  tint  conlidoncc  da< 
rived  from  \\\n  itucccim,  will  hurry  liini  into  incunurcR  lint  will,  in  tluirronR(<(|ucnrcs, 
ho  r»vorid)liMo  111.  W(i  nliuuld  never  denpitir.  Our  itiluution  Iiur  hefnre  hern  un* 
pinniiKinj;,  nnd  Imn  chnnginl  for  the  hetter;  ro,  I  truxt,  it  will  ngnin.  If  new  difll- 
L'ultieN  iirido,  wo  nnir<t  only  pul  forth  new  exertioitii,  nnd  proportion  our  rfTortR  to  tho 
exigency  of  tho  tinic»." — Lcllcr  vf  Wathiuglon  to  lUntral  Hchuyltr,  July  15,  1777. 


hi 


,  I 


;  I 


2U4 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1777. 


I 


BH 


!  » 


'S, 


I  :ui 


ral  Schnyler  in  the  command  of  the  Northern  Department, 
assailed  General  Bnrgoyne  itv  the  newspapers  with  great  viru- 
lence upon  the  subject  of  these  outrages.  After  charging  the 
British  commander  with  encouragino^  the  murder  of  prisoners, 
and  the  massacre  of  women  and  children,  by  paying  the  In- 
dians a  stipulated  price  for  scalps,  Gates,  in  a  letter  addressed 
to  General  Biirgoyne,  thus  spoke  of  the  case  now  specially  un- 
der consideration ; — ''  Miss  M'Crea,  a  young  lady,  lovely  to  the 
"  sight,  of  virtuous  character  and  amiable  disposition,  engaged 
"  to  an  officer  of  your  army,  was,  with  other  women  and  chil- 
"  drcn,  taken  out  of  a  house  near  Fort  Edward,  carried  into  the 
"  woods,  and  there  scalped  and  mangled  in  the  most  horrid 
"  manner.  Two  parents,  with  their  six  children,  were  treated 
"  with  the  same  inhumanity,  while  quietly  resting  in  their  own 
"happy  and  peaceful  dwelling.  The  miserable  fate  of  Miss 
"  M'Crea  was  particularly  aggravated,  by  being  drecsed  to  re- 
"  ceive  her  promised  husband  ;  but  met  her  murderer,  employed 
"  by  you.  Upward  of  one  hundred  men,  women,  and  children, 
"  have  perished  by  the  hands  of  the  ruffians  to  whom,  it  is  as- 
"  serted,  you  have  paid  the  price  of  blood." 

General  Burgoyne  replied,  and  repelled  with  indignation  the 
charge  of  cncouragi.ig,  in  any  respect,  the  outrages  of  the  In 
dians.  Me  asserted  that  from  the  first  he  had  refused  to  pay 
for  scalps,  and  had  so  informed  the  Indians  at  their  council. 
The  only  rewards  he  gave  them  were  for  prisoners  brought  in, 
and  by  the  adoption  of  this  course  he  hoped  to  encourage  a 
more  humane  mode  of  warfare  on  their  part.  In  this  letter 
Burgoyne  said: — "  I  would  not  be  conscious  of  the  acts  you 
"  presume  to  impute  to  me,  for  tlie  whole  contUicnt  of  America, 
"  though  the  wealth  of  worlds  was  in  its  bowels  and  a  paradise 
"  upon  its  surfar(\"*  In  rcgnrd  to  the  hapless  fate;  of  Miss 
M'Crea,  General  Burgoyne  remarked  : — "  Her  fall  wanted  not 
"  the  trngic  display  you  have  labored  to  give  if,  to  make  it  as 
"  sincerely  abhorred  and  lamented  by  mo  as  it  can  bo  by  the 

♦  ^Vhi!('  tlmio  pr\tt(>n  nro  pnssinj;  lliroiinh  llin  prosn,  llio  niillior  Ims  fallou  upon  it 
li'tlrr  wiiltrn  fmm  Moiilrral,  nnil  piiMislu'd  in  llio  Rrmfmbrnnetr  for  1777,  in  which 
it  wan  Kinlod  thiit  n  piirty  of  the  IiiiliiitiH  had  rctiirin-d  lo  Monlrcnl  in  a  hij;h  state  of 
di««mlinfiu'li()ii,  liccnimc  uf  llin  txwciity  of  nnrgoync'n  (liNciplino  townrd  thrm,  nnd 
hiN  ri'fiiHul  to  lolorofo  Ihrir  mod «  of  wnrfuri',  or  piiy  thcni  thrir  niTii'lomcd  luxinty 
for  HCdlpn.  It  wan  foilhrr  ptntrd  thnt  thoy  wnitod  upon  Sir  (iiiy  <*arloton  with  tlioir 
Coiiipliiiiiti—liliinj  thoir  old  "  Futhcr''  much  butlor  than  tlioir  now. 


1777.] 


"'       STOBY    OP    MISS    m'cREA. 


205 


It  in, 

IcUor 
ts  you 
noricn, 
irndiso 
Miss 

)d  not 
;o  it  ns 
by  llio 

II  upon  a 
in  which 
h  state  of 
lu'tn,  niul 
il  hminty 
ntli  their 


"  tenderest  of  her  friends.  The  act  was  no  premeditated  bar- 
'•  barity.  On  the  contrary,  two  chiefs,  who  had  brought  her  off 
"  for  the  purpose  of  security,  not  of  violence  to  her  person, 
"disputed^ which  should  be  her  guard,  and  in  a  fit  of  savage 
"  passion  in  one,  from  whose  hands  she  was  snatched,  the  un- 
"  happy  woman  became  the  victim.  Upon  the  first  intelligence 
"  of  this  event,  I  obliged  the  Indians  to  deliver  the  murderer 
"  into  my  hands ;  and  though  to  have  punished  him  by  our 
"  laws,  or  principles  of  justice,  would  have  been  perhaps  un- 
"  precedented,  he  certainly  should  have  suffered  an  ignominious 
"  death,  had  I  not  been  convinced,  from  my  circumstances  and 
"observations,  beyond  the  possibility  of  a  doubt,  that  a  pardon 
"under  the  terms  which  I  presented  and  they  accepted,  would 
"  be  more  efficacious  than  an  execution,  to  prevent  similar 
"  mischiefs.  The  above  instance  excepted,  your  intelligence 
"  respecting  the  cruelty  of  the  Indians,  is  false."* 

The  British  commander  doubtless  labored  to  luake  the  best 
of  his  case,  and  in  respect  to  Miss  M'Crea,  his  statement  was 
much  nearer  to  the  truth  than  that  of  General  Gates.  The 
actual  circumstances  of  the  case,  stripped  of  its  romance,  were 
these  : — Miss  M'Crea  belonged  to  a  family  of  loyalists,  and  had 
engaged  lier  hand  in  marriage  to  a  young  refugee  named 
Jones,  a  subordinate  officer  in  the  British  service,  who  was  ad- 
vancing with  Burgoyne.  Anxious  to  possess  himself  of  his 
bride,  he  despatched  a  small  party  of  Indians  to  bring  her  to 
the  British  camp.  Her  family  and  friends  were  strongly  op- 
posed to  her  going  with  such  an  escort;  but  her  affection  over- 
came her  prudence,  and  she  determined  upon  the  hazardous 
adventure.  She  set  forward  with  her  dusky  attendants  on 
horseback.  The  family  resided  at  the  village  of  Fort  Iviward, 
from  whence  they  had  not  proceeded  more  than  half  a  nule 
before  her  conductors  stopped  to  drink  at  a  spring.  Meantime 
the  impatient  lover,  who  deserved  not  her  embrace  for  confiding 
her  protection  to  such  hands,  instead  of  going  himself,  had  des- 
patched a  second  party  of  Indian.v  upon  tli(!  same  errand.  The 
Indians  met  at  the  spring ;  and  before  the  march  was  resumed, 
they  were  attacked  by  a  party  of  the  Provincials,  At  the  closo 
of  the  skirmish  the  body  of  Miss  M-Crea  was  found  among  the 
sluiu— tomahawked,  scalped,  and  tied  to  a  pine  tree,  yet  stand- 

♦  Vitlo  MtUHlmll'ii  Life  of  Wailiington,  Vol.  I.  Apprmlix.  ' 


,1 

i 


f  ■ 


I  i 


I 


ir 


r'   I  Iff   ;* 

I 
I 

i 


If  " ::'? 
i,  » 


( lll  • 


I!  I 


m  (f'i '' 


I 


206 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1777. 


ing  by  the  side  of  the  spring,  as  a  monument  of  the  bloody  trans- 
action. The  name  of  the  young  lady  is  inscribed  on  the  tree, 
the  trunk  of  which  is  thickly  scarred  with  the  bullets  it  received 
in  the  skirmish.  It  also  bears  the  date  1777.  *'  Tradition  rc- 
"  ports  that  the  Indians  divided  the  scalp,  and  that  each  party 
"  carried  half  of  it  to  the  agonized  lover."*  The  ascertained 
cause  of  her  murder  was  this.  The  promised  reward  for  bring- 
ing her  in  safety  to  her  betrothed,  was  a  barrel  of  rum.  The 
chiefs  of  the  two  parties  sent  for  her  by  Mr.  Jones,  quarrelled 
respecting  the  anticipated  compensation.  Each  claimed  it  ; 
and,  in  a  moment  of  passion,  to  end  the  controversy,  one  of  them 
struck  her  down  with  his  hatchet. 

The  tale  was  sufficiently  painful  according  to  the  simple 
facts  of  the  case,  and  its  recital  produced  a  thrill  of  horror 
wherever  it  came — enlarged  and  embellished,  as  it  was  sure  to 
be  in  its  progress,  by  every  writer  who  could  add  to  the  elo- 
quence of  the  narrative  or  the  pathos  of  its  catastrophe. 

As  the  invader  advanced,  the  inhabitants  fled  in  the  wildest 
consternation.  The  horrors  of  war,  however  mitigated  by  the 
laws  and  usages  of  civilization,  are  at  all  times  sufliciently 
terrific  ;  but  when  to  these  the  fierce  cruelties  of  a  cloud  of 
savages  are  superadded,  those  only  who  have  been  familiar  with 
an  American  border  warfare  can  form  an  adequate  opinion 
of  its  atrocities.  Among  the  fugitives  driven  from  their 
peaceful  abodes  on  the  present  occasion,  was  Mrs.  Ann  Eliza 
Bleccker,  a  lady  who  has  been  somewhat  celebrated  ns  one 
of  the  early  poets  of  our  country.  She  was  the  daugliter  of 
Mr.  Brandt  Schuyler  of  the  city  of  New- York,  and  the  wife 
of  John  J.  Blcecker,  Esq.,  of  New  Rochelle,  whose  enterprise, 
together  with  his  lady's  love  for  the  wild  scenery  of  the  forest, 
had  induced  him  to  exchange  a  residence  among  the  busy 
haunts  of  men  for  a  solitary  plantation  in  the  vale  of  tne  Toin- 
hanic — a  mountain  stream  flowing  into  the  Hoosic  river,  about 
twenty  miles  from  Albany.  Mr.  Bleecker's  residence  lay  di- 
rectly in  the  march  of  Burgoyne,  on  whoso  approach  ho 
hastened  to  Albany  to  provide  accommodations  for  his  family. 
But  a  few  hours  after  his  departure,  Mrs,  Uleecker,  as  she  sat  at 


*  Rilliman'a  Tour  from  Hartfurd  to  CXuuboc.    Vido,  also,  Maraliall,  Gordon,  and 
othora. 


1777.] 


MRS.    BLEECKER — MRS.    SCHUYLER. 


207 


table,  received  intelligence  that  the  enemy,  with  tomahawk  and 
brand,  was  within  two  miles  of  her  residence.  Instant  flight 
was  tile  only  alternative.  Taking  one  of  her  children  in  her 
arms,  and  seizing  the  other  by  the  hand,  she  started  off  on  foot, 
attended  only  by  a  young  mulatto  girl,  and  leaving  her  house 
and  all  its  contents  a  prey  to  the  Indians.  The  roads  were  en- 
cumbered by  carriages,  loaded  with  women  and  children,  each 
intent  upon  his  or  her  own  safety  ;  so  that  no  assistance  could  be 
obtained,  and  her  only  recourse  was  to  mingle  in  the  fugitive 
throng,  and  participate  in  the  common  panic  and  common  dis- 
tress. Having  travelled  about  five  miles  on  foot,  however,  she 
succee;'nd  '  btaining  a  seat  for  the  children  in  a  waggon, 
whic  ervec  >  facilitate  her  i.  >  ..i.  On  the  following 
morning  she  was  met  by  her  husband,  who  conducted  her  to 
Albany,  and  from  thence  down  the  Hudson  as  fur  as  Red  Hook, 
one  of  her  children  dying  by  the  way.* 

Amid  this  scene  of  desolation  and  affright,  there  was  yet 
one  woman  whose  proud  spirit  was  undaunted.  It  was  the 
lady  of  General  Schuyler.  The  General's  country-scat  was 
upon  his  estate  in  Saratoga,  standing  upon  the  margin  of  tlio 
river.  On  the  approach  of  Hurgoyno,  Mrs.  Schuyler  went  up 
to  Saratoga,  in  order  to  remove  their  furniture.  Her  carriage 
was  atteiiHod  by  only  a  single  armed  man  on  horseback.  When 
within  two  miles  of  her  house,  she  encountered  a  crowd  of 
panic-stricken  people,  who  recited  to  her  the  tragic  fate  of  Miss 
INI'Crea,  and  representing  to  her  the  danger  of  proceeding 
farther  in  the  fjice  of  the  enemy,  urgeil  her  to  return.  She  had 
yet  to  pass  through  a  douse  forest,  within  which  even  then 
some  of  the  savage  troops  might  be  lurking  for  pri'y.  IJut  to 
tlicso  prudential  councils  she  would  not  listen.  "  The  Gene- 
ral's wife,"  she  exclaimed,  "  must  not  bo  afraid  !"  And  pushing 
forward,  she  acconiplislied  her  purpose. t 

Before  the  mansion  was  evacuated,  however,  the  General 

♦  TI>o  facts  of  this  itit'idciit  in  tho  lift!  of  Mrs.  Blccrkcr  nrc  ttikcn  from  Ki'tfcll'a 
biogrnpliical  .litctclu's  of  .•Vmniiciin  [loi'ts.  Tiio  iiicmoiis  of  MrB.  H.  togi'tlicr  with 
hor  pu.'ins,  wrrn  |iiil)ti!th(Ml  iiiniiy  ytam  ago,  but  I  hiivo  8uti;;ht  in  vain  nniotiglhc  li- 
brniica  uiid  tln>  IjiiTckcrs  to  ohtiiin  u  <o|>y. — ./tif/ior. 

I  I  have  'Irrivod  tliin  iticiilonf,  and  uUo  tliut  n^^piH'tin;;  Ihn  Gpiicrnl,  wliith  foU 
lows  in  tlio  text,  from  Mrs.  .Tames  Cochran  of  Oswego,  who  was  tho  yoiing«>t 
daui-hter  of  Oeiiurul  Sdiiiyler.— Juf/itr. 


it-i 


hr 


ti 


m 


208 


LIFE    OF    BKANT. 


[1777. 


■M}  i 


ii 


!.    ' 


himself  had  a  narrow  escape  from  assassination  by  the  hand  of 
u  savage,  who  had  insinuated  himself  into  the  house  for  that 
purpose.  It  was  at  the  hour  of  bed-time,  in  the  evening,  and 
while  the  General  was  preparing  to  retire  for  the  night,  that  a 
female  servant,  in  coming  in  from  the  hall,  saw  a  gleam  of  light 
reflected  from  the  blade  of  a  knife,  in  the  hand  of  some  person 
whose  dark  outline  she  discerned  behind  the  door.  The  ser- 
vant was  a  black  slave,  who  had  sufficient  presence  of  mind 
not  to  appear  to  have  made  the  discovery.  Passing  directly 
through  the  door  into  the  apartment  where  the  General  was 
yet  standing  near  the  fire-place, -with  an  air  of  unconcern  she 
pretended  to  arrange  such  articles  as  were  disposed  upon  the 
mantel-piece,  while  in  an-undertone  she  informed  her  master  of 
her  discovery,  and  said,  aloud,  "  I  will  call  the  guard."  The 
General  instantly  seized  his  arms,  while  the  faithful  servant  hur- 
ried out  by  another  door  inio  a  long  hall,  upon  the  floor  of  which 
lay  a  loose  board  which  creaked  beneath  the  tread.  By  the  noise 
she  made  in  trampling  rapidly  upon  the  board,  the  Indian — for 
such  he  proved — was  led  to  suppose  that  the  Philistines  were 
upon  him  in  numbers,  sprang  from  his  concealment  and  fled. 
He  was  pursued,  however,  by  the  guard  and  a  few  friendly  In- 
dians attached  to  the  person  of  General  Schuyler,  overtaken,  and 
made  prisoner.  Exasperated  at  his  treachery,  the  friendly  In- 
dians were  resolved  to  put  him  to  death,  and  it  was  with  much 
difficulty  that  (hey  were  diverted  from  tiieir  purpose  by  the  Ge- 
neral. 

The  eflect  of  the  incidents  we  have  been  detailing,  and  other 
recitals  of  savage  cruelties,  not  all,  as  General  Burgoyne  re- 
presented, without  foundation,  was  extensive  and  powerful.  The 
cry  of  vengeance  was  universal  ;  and  a  spirit  was  aroused 
which  proved  of  speedy  and  great  advantage  to  the  American 
nrnjs. 


1777. 

ind  of 
r  that 
If,  and 
that  a 
•light 
erson 
3  ser- 
inind 
rectly 
I  was 
n  she 
1  the 
ter  of 

The 
;  hiir- 
i^hich 
noise 
— for 
were 

fled, 
y  In- 
,  and 
y  In- 
uuch 
3Ge- 


:,  1 


1 ,:  - 

I  r 

^:vfl 

1    ■ 

1 

nf   i  ■■ 

1  i 

i 

:  ■:♦•- 

1 

i  ■ 

r, 

u:^ 


\    si. 


Dther 
3  re- 
The 
used 
lean 


;■ 


P    i  I 


i^^^>7j:>^^-a-^ 


f  >   i 


i  ,-:> 


:r   ■   'l)S^!f.'.;l.  .1  ' 


.:  N;)" 


.r;  ,^    ['■ 


T'V.'i'    K!      Vm!. 

' >•' I'"'  -    Ml-:  :';•  ' 


.  \> 


1  '..  '^    ■  -^ 

1. ... 


i.<     .  •.;.  Ur,  .til 


1    , 


h 


f|;' 


i 

■^jf 

■l  jj 

4|; 

! 

Sj'> 

^'f 

' 

m 

■  tm^^:-^.rd.'- -J*.*  . 


^fr-^^:.%^ 


•*W 


:  I 


t  h 


^tf.  ■.JrUrHf^'i.iHi;-^ 


I' '         ; ' 


1 

i 

1^! 

CHAPTER  X. 


Expf>dition  noainst  the  Mohawk  Valley  from  Oswego — Despondency  of  the  people 
in  Tryon  County — Letter  of  John  Jay — Arrest  of  several  of  the  disaffected — 
Fliij'it  of  others  to  Canada — Schuyler's  complaints  of  the  cowardice  of  the  people 
— Great  discouragements — Proclamation  of  General  Herkimer — Letter  from 
Thomas  Spencer — St.  Leger's  approach— Caution  and  plan  of  his  march — Diary 
of  Lieut.  Bird — Fort  Stanwix  invested — Colonel  Gansevoort  takes  command — Its 
deplorable  condition — Gan.sevoort  joined  by  Willett — Story  of  Captain  Grejg — 
Situation  of  the  garri.^on — Arrival  of  St.  Leger — His  proclamation — Burgoyne's 
affairs  becoming  critical—  Affair  of  Bennington — General  Herkimer,  with  the 
Tryon  County  militia,  advances  to  the  relief  of  Gansnvoort — Battle  of  Oriskany — 
Bloody  upon  both  sides — Unexampled  bravery  of  Captain  Gardenier — Major 
Walts — Dissatisfaction  of  the  Indians — Sortie  and  success  of  Colonel  Willett — 
Doath  and  character  of  General  Herkimer. 

Contemporaneously  with  the  descent  of  Burgoyne  upon 
Northern  New- York,  Colonel  Barry  St.  Leger  had  been  des- 
patched from  Montreal,  by  the  way  of  the  St.  Lawrence  and 
Lake  Ontario,  to  Oswego,  there  to  form  a  jn;  .lion  wi'L  the  ii- 
dians  and  loyalists  under  Sir  John  Johnson  and  CaDt'i .  Brant. 
From  Oswego,  St.  Leger  was  to  penetrate  by  the  way  of  Oneida 
Lake  and  Wood  Creek  to  the  Mohawk  r'rc",  with  a  view  a" 
forming  a  junction  from  that  direction  witJ  Bb:'goync,  on  his 
arrival  in  Albany.  The  alarm  everywhere  felt  on  the  approach 
of  Burgoyne  from  the  North,  was  greatly  increased  in  Tryon 
County,  on  receiving  intelligence  of  the  contemplated  invasion 
by  the  Indians  and  loyalists  from  the  West.  The  news  of  this 
movement  was  first  brought  to  the  inhabitants  by  an  Oneida 
half-breed  sachem  named  Thomas  Spencer,  who  came  there- 
with direct  from  Canada,  whither  he  had  gone  as  a  secret 
emissary  to  obtain  information.  Spencer  stated  that  he  had 
been  present  at  a  council  held  at  the  Indian  castle  of  Cassassen- 
ny,  at  which  Colonel  Clans  pre  dod.*  According  to  Thomas's 
relation,  Colonel  Claus  strongly  ;uged  the  Indians  to  join  in 
the  expedition  into  the  Mohawk  Valley  by  the  Western  ap- 
proach ;  boasting  of  the  strength  of  the  army  under  Burgoyne, 
which  had  gone  against  Ticonderoga,  and  the  number  of  In- 
dians with  them,  and  before  whom  he  assured  them  Ticonde- 
roga  would  full.     "  Yes,"  said  Colonel  Claus,  "  Ticonderoga  is 

♦  Colonel  Daniel  Claus,  a  brother-in-law  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  had  either  supersed- 
ed  Guy  Johnson  as  Indian  Superintendent  in  Canada,  or  been  appointed  a  Deputy. 


!i; 


¥ 


Ly^ 


210 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1777. 


ii'  .f 


lii 


"  mine.  This  is  true  :  you  may  depend  on  it,  and  not  one  gun 
«'  shall  be  fired."  Singularly  enough,  thongh  improbable  at 
the  time,  the  prediction,  as  we  have  seen,  was  literally  fulfilled. 
"  The  same,"  added  the  superintendent, "  is  true  of  Fort  Schuy- 
"  ler.  I  am  sure  that  when  I  come  before  that  fort,  and  the 
"  commanding  officer  shall  see  me,  he  also  will  not  firo  a  shot, 
'•'  but  will  surrender  the  fort  to  me."  The  Oneida  sachem 
farther  informed  the  people  that  Sir  John  Johnson  and  Colonel 
Clans  were  then  at  Oswego  with  their  families,  with  seven 
hundred  Indians  and  four  hundred  regular  troop.s.  There 
were  also  six  hundred  Tories  on  one  of  the  islands  above  Os- 
wcgatchic  preparing  to  join  them  ;  and  Colonel  Butler  was  to 
arrive  at  Oswego  on  the  i4th  of  July  from  Niagara,  to  hold  a 
council  with  the  Six  Nations,  to  all  of  whom  he  would  olFer 
the  hatchet  to  join  them  and  strike  the  Americans.*  Thomas 
thereupon  concluded  his  communication  in  the  following 
speech  : — ■ 

"  BuoTiiERs  :  Now  is  your  time  to  awake,  and  not  to  slee]» 
longer  ;  or,  on  the  contrary,  it  shall  go  with  Fort  Schuyler  as 
it  went  already  with  Ticonderoga. 

"  UiioTiiKiis  :  I  therefore  desire  you  to  be  spirited,  and  to 
cncouritgo  one  another  to  march  on  to  the  assistance  of  Fort 
Schuyler.  Come  up,  r.nd  show  yourselves  as  men,  to  defend 
and  save  your  country  before  it  is  too  late.  Despatch  your- 
selves to  clear  the  brush  about  the  fort,  and  send  a  party  to  cut 
trees  in  the  Wood  Creek  to  stop  up  the  same. 

"  lliioTiiKRH  :  If  you  don't  come  soon,  without  delay,  to  as- 
sist this  place,  we  cannot  stay  much  longer  on  your  side ;  for 
if  you  leave  this  fort  without  succor,  and  the  enemy  shall  get 
possession  thereof,  we  sliall  snfl'er  like  you  in  yonr  settlements, 
and  shall  be  destroyed  with  you.  We  are  suspicious  that  your 
enemies  have  eng.ig(Hl  the  Indians,  and  endeavor  daily  yet  to 
strike  and  fight  against  yon  ;  and  (Jeneral  Schuyler  refuses  al- 
ways that  we  shall  take  up  arms  in  the  country's  behalf. 

"  HuoriiiMis  :  I  can  assure  you,  that  as  soon  as  Butler's 
speech  at  Oswego  shall  be  over,  they  int<Mid  to  nu»reh  down  tho 
country  imujodiately  to  Albany.     You  may  judge  yourselves 


♦  Hofi  riiiii;,  (loulillcBK,  to  the  Grand  Comicil,  of  which  an  account  la  tivon  in 
chnptir  VIII. 


tf ■  f 


1777.] 


FALTKRING    IN    TUYON   COUNTY. 


211 


t  to 
al- 
ly's 
tlio 
vcs 

cit  in 


that  if  you  don't  try  to  resist,  we  shall  he  obliged  to  join  them 
or  fly  from  our  Castles,  as  we  cannot  hinder  them  alone.  We, 
the  good  friends  of  the  country,  are  of  opinion,  that  if  more 
force  appears  at  Fort  Schuyler,  the  enemy  will  not  move  from 
Oswego  to  invade  these  frontiers.  You  may  depend  on  it  we 
are  williug  to  help  you  if  you  will  do  some  elForts  too." 

The  counsel  of  the  faithful  Oneida  was  neither  early  enough, 
nor  was  it  seconded  with  sufficient  promptitude  on  the  part  of 
the  inhabitants.  Indeed,  it  must  be  confessed,  that,  as  the  storm 
of  war  rolled  onward,  gathering  at  once  from  dilforcnt  direc- 
tions, and  threatening  daily  to  break  upon  them  with  increas- 
ing fury,  many  of  the  yeomen  who  had  hitherto  borne  them- 
selves nobly,  began  to  falter.  A  spirit  of  disaffection  had  al^o 
been  more  widely  diffused  among  the  settlements  than  could 
have  been  supposed  from  the  previous  patriotic  conduct  of  the 
people,  while  treason  lurked  in  many  places  where  least  sus- 
pected. Upon  this  subject,  and  with  special  reference  to  the 
jjopular  feeling  and  conduct  in  Tryou  County,  John  Jay,  then 
sitting  in  the  Stiite  Convention  at  Kingston,  addressed  the  fol- 
lowing I'Uter  to  Gouverneur  IMorris,  a  member  of  the  Council 
of  Safety,  who  was  at  that  time  with  General  Schuyler  in  tho 
North  :  — 

John  Jay  to  GouvKUNrtni  Morris. 

"  Kingslon,  July  2\st,  ^777. 
"  Dkar  Mo r ins, 

"  The  situation  of  Tryon  (^lunty  is  both  shani'^ful  and 
alarming.  Such  abji'ct  dejection  and  despondenry,  ns  mark 
the  letters  we  have  received  from  thenc",  disgrace  human  na- 
tiu'e.  God  knows  what  to  do  with,  or  for  thenj.  Were  they 
alone  interested  in  their  fate,  I  should  be  for  leaving  their  carl 
in  tho  slough  till  they  would  put  their  shoulders  to  the  wheel. 

"Schuyler  has  his  enemies  here,  and  they  use  these  things 
to  his  disadvantage.  Susi)icions  of  his  having  been  privy  to 
tho  evacuation  of  Ticonderoga  spread  wide  ;  atid  twenty  little 
circumstiuices,  which  |)erhaps  an?  false,  nxo.  trMin|)('(l  up  to  give 
color  to  the  conjecture.*     We  could  wish  that  your  letters  tnight 

•  llrfi-roncn  liai  nlronily  Ifon  innilo,  in  llm  lost,  to  tho  iniimliio  dimn  tnwnni  fJcnP* 
rn'  Srlniylcr  ilimiiK  tlii*  nirriionililu  year.  Tlirro  wan  proliulily  lui  ollicor  in  tho 
■urvivc,  Uio  Cumiuandur-itt-vluur  ttluii*  (!Xcc|)lo(l,  wlw  wu  coiiiidfroil  by  Uia  •noiiiy 


212 


LIFK    or    UUA NT. 


[I' 


t  t . 


contain  paragraphs  for  the  public.  Wo  are  silent  because  we 
have  nothing  to  say  ;  and  the  people  suspect  the  worst  because 
we  say  nothing.  Their  curiosity  must  be  constantly  jTratifictl, 
or  they  will  be  uneasy.  Indeed,  I  do  not  wonder  at  their  im- 
patience, the  late  North(nn  events  having  been  such  as  to  have 
occasioned  alarm  and  suspicion.  I  have  not  leisure  to  add 
any  thing  more,  than  that  I  am,  very  sincerely,  yours,  A:c. 

"  John  Jay." 

As  early  as  the  lOlh  of  April,  Colonel  Robert  Van  Rensselaer 
wrote  to  a  friend,  that  the  Chairman  of  the  County  Committee 
had  applied  to  him  for  the  assistance  of  his  militia,  to  quell  an 
insurrection  of  the  loyalists  in  Bullston  ;  but  such  was  the  con- 
dition of  his  own  regiment,  that  he  w'as  obliged  to  decline  the 
request.  The  spirit  of  disaffection  had  become  so  prevalent 
among  his  men,  that  numbers  of  them  had  taken  the  oath  of 
secrecy  and  allegiance  to  Great  Britain.  However,  he  added 
that  seventeen  of  the  villains  had  been  arrested  by  the  vigilance 
of  the  officers,  and  were  then  in  confinement;  and  a  hope  was 
induljied  of  being  able  to  detect  the  whole.*  Early  in  the  fol- 
lowing month  the  residue  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Scotch  set- 
tlers in  the  neighborhood  of  Johnstown  ran  off  to  Canada,  to- 
gether with  some  of  the  loyalist  Germans — all  headed  by  two 
men  named  M'Donald,  who  had  been  permitted  by  General 
Sciuiyler  to  visit  their  families.     The  fact  that  the  wives  and 


[,'■    i 


I      H 


BO  prrnl  an  obstoclo  to  Iho  success  of  llitir  nim!».  A  narrow  scctionnl  prrjiidice  rx- 
intcd  agninst  him  in  New  lMi<;hin(l.  Tim  fiiiliirc  (if  llu;  Cunadinn  eninpniyn  hud 
lii'i'i)  inoHl  wron^ruliy  altriiiiitrd  to  iiiin  in  177(t,  nnd  with  iqnul  iiijustico  ilic  full 
of  Tiroiider()<»ii  wii«  now  ciinrni'd  to  hi«  remissneng  by  liiii  own  rountninen.  Tlio 
enemy  were  not  slow  to  nvnil  tlicniHt'lves  of  these  prejudices  nnd  Kronn<lles«  impu- 
lotions,  and  throu^ii  the  n<:eiiey  of  the  Toriivs,  thn  most  nrtfui  and  insidious  ineniiM 
were  employed  to  drstroy  tlio  piihlio  confidence  in  liis  inln<;rily  and  cnpacily.  Tho 
flume  of  Huspicion  was  fiinni'd  i>y  tlienj  until  it  heenm<'  generni,  nnd  wns  openly 
avowed.  Commiltees,  towns,  nnd  di^triet*,  assembled,  omi  passed  resolves  r;(pres*- 
ing  their  distrust  in  him,  and  Imlh  f'oni»ri'ss  and  tho  Provmeiul  Lri;i«liitureof  New- 
Yoik  were  addressed  upon  tho  subjeet.  (Jeneiul  Schuyler,  than  whom  there  wns 
not  n  truer  pi  mt,  nor  a  more  earne-t  or  netivn  in  the  pul)lie  soiviee,  was  well 
awnre  of  ihese  movement').  'I'o  a  (.'ommilh-e  of  the  I'rnvim'ial  f'onj»rrss,  who  hnd 
formally  communicated  the  eharjes  to  him,  h«  returned  nn  answer  worthy  of  a  bravo 
and  magnanimous  aoldier.  Tho  chura<-lcr  of  this  answer  will  bo  understood  from 
this  single  sentence  :  — "  Wo  nuist  boar  with  thu  copricf,  jealousy,  and  onvy  of  our 
nns^uided  friends,  nnd  pity  them." 
*  MH.  documonti  in  tlio  Ucparttnent  of  State,  Albany. 


1777.] 


FALTERING    IN    TRYON   COUNTY. 


213 


idiro  PX- 
i^ii  \\nf\ 
ll)C  full 
>.  TliO 
-I  impit> 

.     Tl.o 

o|iriily 

xpriPi- 

if  Nrw- 

licro  wn« 

R<«     Mill 

lin  lm<l 

n  ItrnvH 

|o<l  from 

of  our 


families  of  the  absconding  loyalists  were  holding  communica- 
tion with  them,  and  administering  to  their  subsistence  on  the  out- 
skirts of  the  settlements,  had  suggested  their  arrest,  and  removal 
to  a  place  of  safety,  to  the  number  of  four  hundred— a  measure 
that  was  approved  by  General  Herkimer  and  his  officers.* 
Alarming  reports  of  various  descriptions  were  continually  in 
circulation,  and  the  inhabitants  were  liarassed  beyond  mea- 
sure by  the  necessity  of  performing  frequent  tours  of  military 
duty — acting  as  scouls  and  reconnoitring  parlies ;  and  stand- 
ing, some  of  them,  as  sentinels  around  their  fields,  while  others 
did  the  labor.  No  neighborhood  felt  secure,  and  all  were  ap- 
prehensive that  the  whole  country  would  be  ravaged  by  the 
Indians  ;  while  parties  of  the  disaffected  were  continually  steal- 
ing away  to  augment  the  ranks  of  the  enemy.  Thus  circum- 
stanced, and  at  the  very  moment  when  they  were  called  upon  to 
reinforce  Fort  Schuyler,  the  Committees  both  of  Palatine  and 
Schoharie,  feeling  that  they  were  not  strong  enough  even  for 
self  defence,  were  calling  upon  the  Council  of  Safety  at  Albany 
to  send  additional  forces  for  their  protection.  Mr.  Paris  wrote 
repeatedly  upon  the  subject.  The  Schoharie  Comuiitteo,  on  the 
17tl'.  of  Juh',  wrote  very  frankly,  that  "the  late  advantages 
"  gained  by  the  enemy  had  such  nn  etfect,  that  many  who  had 
"  been  counted  as  friends  of  the  State  were  drawing  bock. 
"Our  situation,"  ho  added,  "is  deplorable— excepting  those 
"  who  have  sought  protection  from  the  enemy.  We  are  en- 
"  tirely  open  to  the  Indians  and  Tories,  whom  wo  expect  every 
"  hour  to  come  upon  us.  Part  of  our  militia  are  at  Fort  Ed- 
"  ward  ;  and  of  the  few  that  ore  here,  umny  arc  unwilling  to 
"take  up  arms  to  defend  themselves,  as  they  are  unable  to 
"stand  against  so  many  enemies.  Therefore  if  your  honors 
"do  not  grant  us  immediate  relief  to  the  auiount  of  about  livo 
"  hundred  men,  we  must  either  fall  a  prey  to  tlio  enemy,  or  take 
"protection  also."!'  On  the  18th  of  .luly,  General  Schuyler 
wrote  to  the  lion.  Pierre  Van  Courtlandt,  from  Saratoga,  and 
again  on  tin?  '.i\sl  from  l'\>rt  IMward,  to  the  same  oH'crt.  "  I  am 
"exceedingly  chagrined,"  he  suys,  "at  the  pusillanimous  spirit 
"  which  prevails  in  the  Comity  of  Tryon.  I  apprehend  much 
"  i»f  it  is  to  be  attribnted  ti>  the  infidelity  of  the  leading  persons 

♦   MM.  (locnnu'iit*  ill  till'  D 'itnttnicul  of  Sinic,  Allmny — Liltcr  of  !■<««(•  !'rtri». 
j  .\i.S,  corrtK|"iiiiliMici)  of  (111-  I'rovinciiil  Coii{(rai«s — Seriet.iry'n  oflicc,  All>any. 


214 


LIFE    OP   BIIAKT. 


[1777. 


■  it 


}    ' 


"  of  that  quarter."  "  If  I  had  one  thousand  regular  troops,  in  ad- 
"dition  to  those  now  above  and  on  the  inarch,  I  should  ven- 
•'  ture  to  keep  only  every  third  man  of  the  militia,  and  would 
"  send  them  down."  "  The  substance  of  Colonel  Harper's  in- 
"  formation  had  been  transmitted  about  a  month  ago.  In  con- 
"  sequence  whereof,  I  sent  Colonel  Van  Schaick  into  Tryori 
"  County  with  as  many  troops  as  I  could  collect.  After  the 
"  improper  agreement  made  by  CScneral  Herkimer,*  these  troops 
•'were  marched  back;  but  as  soon  as  I  was  informed  of  the 
"  march,  I  ordered  them  to  remain  in  Tryon  County,  where 
"  they  are  still,  and  I  have  sent  up  Colonel  Wesson's  regiment 
"to  reinforce  them.  But  if  I  may  be  allowed  to  judge  c'  the 
"  temper  of  General  Herkimer  and  the  Committee  of  Tryon 
*•  County,  from  their  letters  to  me,  nothing  will  satisfy  them  un- 
"  less  I  march  the  whole  army  into  that  quarter.  With  defer- 
»'  ence  to  the  better  judgment  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  I  cannot 
"by  any  means  think  it  prudent  to  bring  on  an  open  rupture 
"  with  the  savages  at  the  present  time.  The  inhabitants  of 
"  Tryon  County  are  already  too  much  inclined  to  lay  dowai  their 
"  arms,  and  take  whatever  terms  the  enemy  may  please  to  at- 
"  ford  them.  Half  the  militia  from  this  (Tryon)  County, 
"  and  the  neighboring  State  of  JMassachusctts,  we  liave  been 
"under  the  necesity  of  dismissing  ;  but  the  whole  should  go." 
"I  enclose  you  tlio  proceedings  of  a  council  of  General  officers, 
"  lieid  at  this  pluce  on  the  2()th  instant.  You  will  perceive 
<'  that  we  have  been  driven  to  the  necessity  of  allowing  some 
"of  the  militia  to  return  to  their  plnntiitions.  The  remainder 
"  have  promised  to  remain  three  weeks  longer  —that  is  to  siiy, 
"unless  they  choose  to  return  soone"  which  will  doubtless  bo 
"  the  case,  and  for  which  they  have  many  reasons."  t 

The  complaints  of  General  Schuyler  were  not  without  just 
foundation,  as  tin;  read(>r  has  already  seen.  Indeed,  both  regu- 
lars  (uid  militia  in  Tryon  Comity,  see\ned  for  the  moment  to 
liave  lost  all  the  high  (jualities  of  soldiers  or  citizens.  Of  two 
liundred  militiamen  ordered  to  nuister  and  join  the  garrison  of 
Fort  Schuyler,  only  a  part  obeyed  ;  while  two  companies  o( 
regular  troop.s,  receiving  tli(!  like  orders,  entered  ujjon  the  ser- 
vice with  great  reluctance,  and  not  without  urging  various  cx- 

♦  I'rohiihly  rpfrriina  fo  the  intrrvirw  l)rtwrrr»  Ilrrkiinrr  nnd  Uruiil  nt  t^iiadilNi. 
\  Aia.  Cor.  Council  ol  Sil'oly— Sctrclury'i)  ollico,  Albuiiy. 


If 


1777.] 


HERKIMERa    PROCLAMATION. 


215 


rcgu- 
Mit  to 

two 
;on  of 
ics  ot 

sor- 
ts ex- 


cuses — complaining  that  service  in  scouting  parties  had  unfitted 
them  for  garrison  duty.*  Under  circumstances  of  such  dis- 
couragement, it  was  a  time  of  peculiar  trial  to  the  officers  and 
Committees  of  Safety.  Tryon  County  had  early  espoused  the 
cause  of  freedom,  and  apparently  with  greater  unanimity  than 
any  other  county  in  the  State  ;  and  the  extensive  defection,  or 
criminal  apathy,  which  we  have  just  been  contemplating,  was 
altogether  unexpected.  But  a  crisis  was  approaching,  which 
necessity  soon  obliged  them  to  meet.  Accordingly,  on  the  17th 
of  July,  General  Herkimer  issued  a  patriotic  proclamation  to 
the  inhabitants  of  the  county,  announcing  the  gathering  of 
the  enemy  at  Oswegc,  "  Christians  and  Savages,"  to  the  mmi- 
ber  of  two  thousand  strong,  with  the  intention  of  invading  the 
frontier,  and  calling  upon  the  pcoplc'e/i  7nnsse,  to  be  ready  at  a 
moment's  warning  to  repair  to  the  field,  with  arms  and  accou- 
trements, on  the  approach  of  the  enemy.  Those  in  health,  from 
16  to  60  years  of  age,  were  designated  for  actual  service ;  while 
those  above  60  years  of  ago,  or  invalids,  were  directed  to  arm 
for  the  defence  of  the  women  and  children  at  whatever  place 
they  might  be  gathered  in  for  safety.  Concerning  the  disaffected, 
and  those  who  might  refuse  to  obey  the  orders,  it  was  directed 
in  the  proclamation  that  they  should  be  arrested,  their  arms  se- 
cured, and  themselves  placed  under  guard  to  join  the  main 
body.  All  the  members  of  the  Committee,  and  all  those  who, 
by  reason  of  having  formerly  held  commissions,  had  become  ex- 
empts from  service,  were  invited  to  repair  to  the  rendezvous, 
nnd  aid  in  repulsing  the  foe  :  "  not  doubting  that  the  Almighty 
"  Power,  upon  our  humble  prayers,  and  sincere  trust  in  Him, 
"  will  then  graciously  succour  our  arms  in  battle  for  our  just 
"  cause,  and  victory  cannot  fail  on  our  side." 

The  Oneida  ludi.uis,  who  were  since  rely  disposed  to  favor 
the  cause  of  the  United  Slates,  but  who,  pursuant  to  tlie  hu- 
mane policy  of  Congress  and  the  advice  of  (General  Schuyler, 
liad  determined  to  preserve  their  neutrality,  beheld  the  ap- 
proaching invasion  from  Oswego  with  no  small  degree  of  ap- 
prehension. The  course  they  had  marked  out  for  themselves, 
ns  they  were  well  aware,  was  viewed  with  (lispleasnr(?  by  their 
iMohawk  brethren,  while  the  other  menibers  of  their  con federa- 

♦  Anrmli"  of  Tryon  T'oimtv, 


216 


LIFE    OF    BRAXT. 


[1777. 


I       II 


■  I 


!J    !, 


cy  were  obviously  inclined  to  side  with  their  "  Uncle."*  Liv- 
ing, moreover,  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  Fort  Schuy- 
ler, where  St.  Leger's  first  blow  must  be  struck,  they  were  not 
a  little  troubled  in  the  prospect  of  what  might  happen  to  them- 
selves. The  watchful  Thomas  Spencer,  therefore,  despatched 
the  following  letter  to  the  Committee  on  the  29th  of  July, 
which  was  received  on  the  30th  : — 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  chiefs,  they  tell  me  that  there  is  but 
four  days  remaining  of  the  time  set  for  the  king's  troops  to 
come  to  Fort  Schuyler,  and  they  think  it  likely  they  will  be 
here  sooner. 

"  The  chiefs  desire  the  commanding  officers  at  Fort  Schuy- 
ler not  to  make  a  Ticonderoga  of  it ;  but  they  hope  you  will  be 
courageous. 

"  They  desire  General  Schuyler  may  have  this  with  speed, 
and  send  a  good  anuy  here ;  there  is  nothing  to  do  at  New- 
York  ;  we  think  there  is  men  to  be  spared — we  expect  the  road 
is  stopped  to  the  inhabitants  by  a  party  through  the  woods ; 
we  shall  bo  surrounded  as  soon  as  they  come.  ^Miis  may  be 
our  last  advice,  as  these  soldiers  arc  part  of  those  that  are  to 
hold  a  treaty.  Send  this  to  the  Conmiittee — as  soon  as  they 
receive  it,  let  the  militia  rise  up  and  come  to  Fort  Schuyler. 

"  To-morrow  wo  are  a-going  to  the  Three  Rivers  t  to  the 
treaty.  We  expect  to  meet  the  warriors,  and  when  we  come 
there  and  declare  we  are  for  peace,  we  expect  to  be  used  with 
indifference  and  sent  away. 

"  Let  all  the  troops  that  come  to  Fort  Sclinyler  take  care  on 
thoir  march,  as  there  is  a  party  of  Indians  to  stoj)  the  rond  be- 
low the  fort,  about  80  or  100.  Wo  hear  they  are  to  bring  tlv'w 
cannon  up  Fish  Creek.  We  hear  there  is  1000  going  to  meet 
the  enemy.  Wo  advise  not— the  army  is  too  large  for  so  few 
men  to  defend  the  Fort — wo  send  a  belt  of  8  rows  to  confirm  the 
truth  of  what  wo  say. 

"  It  looks  likely  to  mo  the  troops  are  near— hope  all  friends 
to  liberty,  and  that  love  thoir  families,  will  not  be  backward, 
but  oxert  themselves ;  as  one  resolute  blow  would  secure  tha 

♦  In  tln!  Six  NnlioiiB,  the  Molinukii — llu'  liomJ  tribe — wore  chIIuU  "Uncle,"  The 
Oncidns  worn  "  tlw  <'l(l»'r  bmihci,"  &.e 

t  Tli«  junction  of  the  OnHiila,  Sonccit,  nnil  (>«wp){o  rivorw— not  "  Tlireo  Ilivor§' 
in  rjaiiuda. 


'    )y 


;.  I    'IV 


1777.] 


THE    ENEMY    AT    OSWEOO. 


217 


friendship  of  the  Six  Nations,  and  almost  free  this  part  of  tho 
country  from  the  incursions  of  the  enemy."* 

The  certainty  that  the  invaders  were  thus  approaching,  the 
earnestness  of  the  appeals  of  the  Committee  to  the  patriotism  of 
the  people,  the  influence  of  the  proclamation  of  the  German 
General,  who  was  a  much  better  man  than  officer,  save  only  in 
the  single  attribute  of  courage ;  and,  above  all,  the  positive 
existence  of  a  common  danger  from  which  there  was  no  es- 
cape ;  were  circumstances,  together,  not  without  their  effect. 
And  although  the  eleventh  hour  had  arrived,  yet  the  militia, 
and  all  upon  whom  the  call  to  arms  had  been  made,  now  began 
to  move  with  a  degree  of  alacrity  and  an  exhibition  of  spirit 
that  went  far  to  atone  for  the  unpatriotic,  if  not  craven,  symp- 
toms already  noticed. 

Meantime,  having  completed  his  organization  at  Oswego, 
General  St.  Leger  commenced  his  march  upon  Fort  Schuyler, 
moving  by  the  route  already  indicated,  though  with  great  cir- 
cumspection. The  name  of  this  place  of  rendezvous  has  al- 
ready recurred  more  than  once,  or  twice,  in  the  preceding 
pages.  Its  position  was  important,  and  it  had  been  a  place  of  * 
renown  in  the  earlier  wars  of  the  Colony.  The  river  bearing 
the  same  name,  which  here  pours  Northwardly  into  Lake  On- 
tario, is  the  outlet  both  of  the  Oneida  and  Seneca  rivers,  through 
which,  and  their  tributary  streams,  it  is  connected  with  the 
chain  of  small  lakes  bearing  the  names  of  Oneida,  Cazcnovia, 
Skaneateles,  Owasco,  Cayuga,  Seneca,  and  Canandaigua.  Its 
estuary,  of  course,  forms  the  natural  opening  into  the  rich 
district  of  country  surrounding  those  lakes,  which,  down 
to  the  period  of  the  present  history,  contained  the  principal 
towns  of  four  of  tho  Five  Nations  of  Indians.  During  the 
wars  between  the  French  and  Five  Nations,  Oswego  was  re- 
peatedly occupied  by  tho  armies  of  the  former.  It  was  here 
that  Count  Frontenac  landed,  on  his  invasion  of  the  Onondaga 
country  in  1092,  at  which  time,  or  subsequently,  a  considera- 
ble military  work  was  erected  on  the  western  side  of  the  river. 
During  tho  war  with  France,  which  was  closed  in  America  by 
the  conquest  of  Canada,  it  was  in  the  occupancy  of  the  Provin- 


♦  MS.  letter  amons;  tho  popori  of  Qcnero!  Qaniovoort.    TliomiiB  Spencer  wm  »  ; 
blacksmith,  who  had  rcsidud  among  tho  o'ayugas,  and  waa  greatly  beloved  by  the 
Indiana.— L(((«r /rom  Otntral  Sckuy'trto  Colontl  Dayton — Oanitvoort  pupirs. 


t^ 


H 


218 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1777. 


ifi'  i  1 


I? 


!    ■    'IJ 


F 
I* 


cials  and  English.  The  expedition  destined  to  descend  the 
St.  Lawrence  upon  Montreal,  was  assembled  at  this  point  in 
1759,  after  the  fall  of  Niagara,  under  General  Shirley  and  Sir 
William  Johnson.  The  army  was  encamped  here  several 
weeks,  and  finally  broke  up  without  attempting  its  main  object 
— owing,  as  Sir  William  Johnson  intimates  in  his  private 
diary,  to  a  want  of  energy  on  the  part  of  Shirley.  After  the 
fall  of  Quebec  and  Montreal  into  the  hands  of  the  English,  a 
battalion  of  the  55th  regiment  was  stationed  at  Oswego,  under 
Major  Duncan,  a  brother  of  the  naval  hero  of  Camperdown. 
A  new  and  far  more  formidable  work  was  constructed  upon  the 
Eastern  or  North-eastern  promontory,  formed  by  the  '•  bouchure 
of  the  river  into  the  lake.  The  new  position  wa^  far  better 
chosen  for  a  fortress  tliaii  the  old  ;  and,  ultimately,  before  the 
Britons  were  dispossessed  of  it  by  the  Americans,  it  became  a 
work  of  somewhat  formidable  strength  and  dimensions.  The 
situation  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  that  can  be  imagined ; 
and  during  the  two  or  three  years  in  which  Major  Duncan  was 
in  command,  by  the  cultivation  of  a  large  garden,  the  laying 
out  and  improving  of  a  bowling-green  and  other  pleasure- 
grounds,  it  was  rendered  a  little  paradise  in  the  wilderness.* 

All  told,  the  army  of  St.  Leger  consisted  of  seventeen  hun- 
dred men — Indians  included.  These  latter  were  led  by  Thay- 
endanogea.  The  order  of  their  march,  as  beautifully  drawn 
and  colored,  was  subsequently  taken,  with  the  escritoire  of  the 
commanding  General,  and  will  be  found  on  the  subsequent 
page,  accurately  copied  and  engraved.  The  advance  of  the 
main  body,  it  will  be  seen,  was  formed  of  Indians,  marching  in 
five  Indian  columns  ;  that  is,  in  single  files,  at  large  distances 
from  each  oiher,  and  four  hundred  and  sixty  paces  in  front  of  the 
line.  From  these  columns  of  Indians,  files  were  stretched  at  a 
distance  often  paces  from  each  other,  forming  a  line  of  com- 
munication with  the  advanced  guard  of  the  line,  which  was 
one  hundred  paces  in  front  of  the  column.  The  right  and  left 
flanks  were  covered  by  Indians  at  one  hundred  paces,  forming 
likewise  lines  of  communication  with  the  main  body.  The 
King's  regiment  moved  from  the  left  by  Indian  file,  while  the 
34th  moved  in  the  same  order  from  the  right.     The  rear-guard 

•  Seo  Mrfl.  Qrant'a  ddightrul  book—"  Memoiri  of  an  American  Lady,"  chap- 
ters xliv.  to  xlvii.  inclusive, 


f 


1777.] 


ST.  leger's  order  of  march. 


219 


•] 


i 


Chiard, 


220 


LIFE    OF    BH.VXT. 


[1777. 


m  is 


nu 


It'     ^'i!^ 

■I 


I'^ti 


I' 


was  formed  of  regular  troops;  while  the  advance  guard,  com 
posed  of  sixty  marksmen,  detached  from  Sir  John  Johnson's 
regiment  of  Royal  Greens,  was  led  by  Sir  John's  brother-in-law. 
Captain  Watts.  Elach  corps  was  likewise  directed  to  have  ten 
chosen  marksmen  in  different  parts  of  its  line,  in  case  of  at- 
tack, to  be  pushed  forward  to  any  given  point  as  circumstances 
might  require.* 

From  these  extraordinary  precautions,  it  may  well  be  inferred 
that  General  St.  Leger,  who  probably  acted  much  under  the 
advice  of  Sir  John  Johnson  and  the  refugee  Provincials,  who 
must  have  been  best  acquainted  with  the  country  and  the  cha- 
racter of  the  enemy  they  were  going  to  encounter,  was  not  a 
little  apprehensive  of  an  attack  by  surprise  while  on  his  march. 

In  addition  to  the  arrangements  already  indicated,  a  detach- 
ment from  the  8th  regiment,  with  a  few  Indians,  was  sent  a 
day  or  more  in  tidvance,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant 
Bird.  This  officer  pushed  forward  with  spirit,  but  vvt\s  some- 
what annoyed  by  the  insubordination  and  independent  action 
of  his  allies.  The  following  extracts  from  his  private  diary  t 
•  will  not  only  disclose  his  own  embarrassments,  but  illustrate 
the  character  of  Indian  warriors  acting  in  concert  with  regular 
troops  : — • 

"  Tuesday,  28lh  July,  1777. — After  going  two  miles,  and  no 
savages  coming  up,  waited  two  hours  for  them.  Sixteen  Sene- 
cas  arriving,  proceeded  to  the  Three  Rivers  * — waited  there 
two  hours — seventy  or  eighty  Messesauffues  coming  up,  I  pro- 
posed moving  forward.  They  had  stolen  two  oxen  from  the 
drove  of  the  army,  and  would  not  advance,  but  stayed  to  feast. 
I  advanced  without  Indians  seven  miles  farther — in  all  nine- 
teen miles.  Posted  four  sentinels  all  night  from  a  sergeant's 
guard  of  twelve  men — relieved  every  hour — visited  every  half 
hour.     All  fires  put  out  at  9  o'clock. 

"  Wednesday S^ii  off  next  morning  at  six,  having  waited 
for  the  savages  till  that  time,  though  none  arrived.  Ordered 
the  boats  to  keep  seventy  rods  behind  each  other — half  the  men 
keeping  their  arms  in  their  hands,  while  the  other  half  rowed. 
Ordered,  on  any  of  the  boats  being  fired  upon,  that  the  men 

•  MS.  (lirccliona  found  iimong  tho  captiirrtl  papers  of  St.  Leger. 

\  MS.  Diary  of  Lt.  Henry  Bird,  captured  from  Gen.  St.  Logor  by  Col.  Qanaovooitt 

t  The  junction  of  tho  Oneida,  Senuua,  and  Oswego  riven. 


1777.] 


DIAIIY   OF   LIEUT.    BIRD. 


221 


should  jump  ashore.     The  rest  to  support  them  with  all  expe- 
dition.    Rowed  all  night.     Encamped  at  Nine  Mile  Point. 

"  Thursday,  July  30. — With  twenty-seven  Senecas  and 
nine  Messesaugues  joined  Mr.  Hair's  party.*  Many  savages  be- 
ing with  us,  proceeded  to  Wood  Creek,  a  march  of  fifteen 
miles.         *         *         *##«»## 

"  Friday. — The  savages  hinted  an  intention  to  send  parties 
to  Fort  Stanwix,  but  to  proceed  in  a  body  no  farther.  I  called 
a  council  of  the  chiefs — told  them  I  had  orders  to  approach 
near  the  fort— that  if  they  would  accompany  me,  1  should  be 
content ;  but  if  they  would  not  go,  I  should  take  the  white  peo- 
ple under  my  command,  and  pro^-'^ed  myself.  The  Messesau- 
gues said  they  would  go  with  me.  The  Senecas  said  I  had 
promised  to  be  advised  by  their  chiefs — that  it  was  their  u'ay 
to  proceed  with  caution.  I  answered,  that  I  meant  only  as  to 
fighting  in  the  bush,  but  that  I  had  communicated  my  inten- 
tions to  them  in  the  former  camp,  of  preventing  them  [the 
Americans  meaning]  from  stopping  the  creek.t  and  investing 
their  fort.  But  since  I  had  promised  to  be  advised  by  them, 
I  would  take  it  so  far  as  to  wait  till  next  morning — and  would 
then  certainly  march  by  daybreak.  After  some  counselling, 
they  seemed  pleased  with  what  I  had  said,  and  said  they  would 
send  out  large  scouts  to  prepare  the  way.  Accordingly  eight- 
teen  or  twenty  set  off  this  evening." 

On  the  2d  of  August,  however.  Bird  wrote  back  to  his  Gene- 
ral that  no  savages  would  advance  with  him  except  Henriques, 
a  Mohawk,  and  one  other  of  the  Six  Nations,  an  old  acquaint- 
ance of  his.  The  letter  continues ; — "  Those  two,  Sir,  I  hope 
"  to  have  the  honor  to  present  to  you.  A  savage,  who  goes  by 
*'  the  name  of  Commodore  Br.idley,  was  the  chief  cause  of  their 
"  not  advancing  to-day.  Twelve  Messesaugues  came  up  two 
"  or  three  hours  after  my  departure.  Those,  with  the  scout  of 
"  fifteen  I  had  the  honor  to  mention  to  you  in  my  last,  are  suf- 
"  ficient  to  invest  Fort  Stanwix,  if  you  favor  me  so  far  as  not 
"  to  order  to  the  conlruy.t 

St.  Leger  received  this  letter  on  the  same  day,  at  Nine 

♦  Limit.  Iloir— iiftiTwanl  killed. 

t  tSoiicrnI  Sdmylor  liml  diroclod  llic  t  .immanding  ofTicpr  of  Fort  Stiuiwi,x  to  ob« 
•trvict  the  nnvi>^ntioii  of  W(»od  Creek  l>y  ft'lluig  trees  lluireiii. 

t  MS.  of  the  original  letter,  iiiiiotig  the  <  iunsuvoort  papers.  * 


.1  n, 


222 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1777. 


!   -i 


\^t 


Mile  Point,  whence  he  immediately  despatched  the  following 
reply : — 

General  St.  Leger  to  Lieut.  L'.iti> 

«  Nine  Mile  Point,  Aug.  2,  1777. 
'•Sir, 
"I  this  instant  received  your  letter  containing  the  account 
of  your  operations  since  you  were  detached,  which  I  with  great 
pleasure  tell  you  have  been  sensible  and  spirited  ;  your  resolu- 
tion of  investing  Fort  Stanwix  is  perfectly  right ;  and  to  ena- 
ble you  to  do  it  with  greater  effect,  I  have  detached  Joseph 
[Thayendanegea]  and  his  corps  of  Indians  to  reinforce  you. 
You  will  observe  that  I  will  have  nothing  but  an  investiture 
made ;  and  in  case  the  enemy,  observing  the  discretion  and 
judgment  with  which  it  is  made,  should  offer  to  capitulate,  you 
are  to  tell  them  that  you  are  sure  I  am  well  disposed  to  listen 
to  them  :  this  is  not  to  take  any  honor  out  of  a  young  soldier's 
hands,  but  by  the  presence  of  the  troops  to  prevent  the  barba- 
rity and  carnage  wliich  will  ever  obtain  where  Indians  make 
so  superior  a  part  of  a  detachment ;  I  shall  move  from  hence 
at  eleven  o'clock,  and  be  early  in  the  afternoon  at  the  entrance 
of  the  creek. 

•'  I  am.  Sir,  your  most  obt.  and  humble  ser't. 

"Barry  St.  Leger." 
«  Lieut.  Bird,  8t/i  rcg't."" 

The  investment  of  the  fort  was  made  by  Lieut.  Bird  forth- 
with— Brant  arriving  to  his  assistance  at  the  same  time. 
But  the  result  of  the  siege  that  followed  proved  that  the  British 
commander  had  grievously  miscalculated  the  spirit  of  the  garri- 
son of  Fort  Stanwix,  in  his  anticipations  of  a  speedy  capitulation. 
Still,  his  prudential  order,  the  object  of  which  was  to  prevent 
an  unnecessary  sacrifice  of  life  at  the  hands  of  his  Indian  allies, 
calculating,  of  course,  upon  an  easy  victory,  was  not  the  less 
commendable  on  that  account. 

The  situation  of  Fort  Stanwix  itself— or  rather  Fort  Schuy- 
ler, as  it  must  now  be  called — next  demands  attention.  At  the 
beginning  of  the  year,  as  we  have  already  seen,  the  post  was 


♦  MS.  of  the  original  letter,  among  tlie  Gansovoort  papers. — Vide,  »l80,  Camp- 
bcU'ii  Annals. 


1777.] 


eiTUATIOX    OF    FORT    SCHUYLER. 


223 


\i 


\ 


les, 
ess 


luy- 
tlie 


imp- 


commanded  by  Colonel  Elmore  of  the  State  service.  The 
term  of  that  officer  expirinor  in  April,  Colonel  Peter  Gansevoort, 
also  of  the  State  troops,  was  designated  as  Colonel  Elmore's 
successor,  by  an  order  from  General  Gates,  dated  the  26th  ot 
that  month.  Notwithstanding  the  labors  of  Colonel  Drayton, 
in  repairing  the  works,  the  preceding  year.  Colonel  Gansevoort 
found  them  in  such  a  state  of  dilapidation,  that  they  were  not 
only  indefensible,  but  untenable.  A  brisk  correspondence 
ensued  between  that  officer  and  General  Schuyler  upon  the 
subject,  from  which  it  is  manifest  that,  to  say  nothing  of  the 
miserable  condition  of  his  defences,  with  the  prospect  of  an  in- 
vasion from  the  West  before  him,  his  situation  was  in  other 
respects  sufficiently  deplorable.  He  had  but  a  small  number 
of  men,  and  many  of  those  were  sick  by  reason  of  destitution.* 
Added  to  all  which  was  the  responsibility  of  the  Indian  relations 
confided  to  him  by  special  order  of  General  Schuyler  on  the 
OthofJunc.t 

Colonel  Marinus  Willett  was  soon  afterward  directed  to  join 
the  garrison  at  Fort  Schuyler  with  his  regiment,  and  most 
fortunate  was  the  selection  of  such  an  officer  as  Willett  to  co- 
operate with  such  another  as  Gansevoort ;  since  all  the  skill, 
and  energy,  and  courage  of  both  were  necessary  for  the  situa- 
tion. The  work  itself  was  originally  a  square  fort,  with  four 
bastions,  surrounded  by  a  ditch  of  considerable  width  and 
depth,  with  a  covert  way  and  glacis  around  three  of  its  angles  ; 
the  other  being  sufficiently  secured  by  low,  marshy  ground. 
In  front  of  the  gate  there  had  been  a  drawbridge,  covered 
by  a  salient  angle  raised  in  front  of  it  on  the  glacis.  In  the  cen- 
tre of  the  ditch  a  row  of  perpendicular  pickets  had  been  erected, 
with  rows  of  horizontal  pickets  fixed  around  the  ramparts  un- 
der the  embrasures.  But  since  the  conclusion  of  the  French 
war,  the  fort  had  fallen  into  decay  ;  the  ditch  was  filled  up,  and 

*  Letters  among  the  Gansevoort  papers. 

t  "  You  will  keep  up  a  friendly  intercourse  with  the  Indians,  and  Buffer  no 
speeches  to  be  made  to  them  by  any  person  not  employed  in  the  Indian  Depart- 
ment ;  and  when  you  have  occasion  to  speak  to  them,  let  your  speech  be  written, 
and  a  copy  transmiltcd  to  mn,  that  the  Commisaionors  may  be  informed  of  every 
transaction  with  those  people." — Schuyler's  Ifltrv  to  Cohnfl  Gansevoort.  Colonel 
G.  lost  no  time  in  holding  a  council  with  such  of  tlic  ciiiefs  and  warriors  as  yet  re- 
mained friendly,  and  ho  socms  to  have  fully  acquired  their  confidence.  He  delivered 
a  sensible  speech  on  the  occasion,  but  it  contains  nothing  requiring  farther  note. 


n 


#.• 


.1 


224 


LIFE   OF    BRANT. 


[1777. 


(♦ 


ll    "If 


l!! 


the  pickets  had  rotted  nnd  fallen  down  ;*  nor  had  any  suitable 
progress  been  made  in  its  reparation.  Immediate  exertions, 
energetic  and  unremitting,  were  necessary  to  repair,  or  rather 
to  renew  and  reconstruct,  the  works,  and  place  them  in  a  pos- 
ture of  defy. nee,  should  the  long  anticipated  invasion  ensue 
from  that  quarter,  i  more  correct  ideaof  l».e  wretched  condi- 
tion of  the  post,  even  down  to  the  beginning  of  July,  may  bo 
found  from  the  annexed  letter  : — I 

Colonel  Gansevookt  to  Gfneral  Schuyler. 

"  Fori  Schtajler,  July  Uh,  1777. 
''Sir, 
"  Having  taken  an  accurate  review  of  the  state  of  the  garri- 
son, I  think  it  is  incumbent  on  me  to  inform  your  Excellency 
by  express  of  our  present  circumstances.  Every  possible  as- 
sistance is  given  to  Captain  Marquizec,  to  enable  him  to  carry 
on  such  works  as  are  deemed  absolutely  necessary  for  the  de- 
fence of  the  garrison.  The  soldiers  are  constantly  at  work — 
even  such  of  them  as  come  off  guard  are  immediately  turned 
out  to  fatigue.  But  I  cannot  conceal  from  your  Excellency 
the  impossibility  of  attending  fully  to  all  the  great  objects 
pointed  out  in  the  orders  issued  to  the  commanding  officer  on 
the  station,  without  iarther  assistance.  Sending  oui  sufficient 
parties  of  observation,  felling  the  timber  into  Wood  Creek, 
clearing  the  road  from  Fort  Dayton,  which  is  so  embarrassed, 
in  many  parts,  as  to  bo  impassable,  and  prosecuting,  at  the 
same  time,  the  internal  business  of  the  garrison,  are  objects  of 
the  greatest  importance,  which  should,  if  possible,  bo  imme- 
diately considered.  But  while  no  exertions  compatible  with 
the  circumstances  wo  arc  in,  and  necessary  to  give  your  Ex- 
cellency satisfaction  with  respect  to  all  these  interesting  matters, 
shall  bo  omitted,  I  am  very  sensible  it  is  not  in  our  power  to 
get  over  .som(3  ci»|iital  obstructions  without  a  reinforcement. 
The  enclosed  return,  and  the  difficnllies  arising  from  the  in- 
creasing number  of  hostile  Indians,  will  show  to  your  Excel- 
lency the  grounds  of  my  opinion.  One  hundred  and  fifty  men 
would  bo  needed  spocdily  and  etfectually  to  obstruct  Wood 
I -reck  ;  an  ecpml  number  will  be  necessary  to  guard  the  men  at, 

•  Willctl'ii  Narrulive. 

\  .MiS.  I'oj))',  pronorvod  among  tionorol  Clamtvjort'i  papora. 


1^1 


1777.] 


SETUATION    OF    FOIIT    SCHUYLER. 


225 


5  of 


work  in  felling  and  hanling  of  timber.  Such  a  deduction 
from  our  number,  together  with  smaller  deductions  for  scouting 
parties,  would  scarcely  leave  a  man  in  the  garrison,  which 
might  therefore  be  easily  surprised  by  a  contemptible  party  of 
the  enemy.  The  number  of  inimical  Indians  increases.  On 
the  affair  of  last  week  only  two  made  their  appearance.  Yes- 
terday a  party  of  at  least  forty,  supposed  to  be  Butler's  emissa- 
ries, attacked  Ensign  Sporr  with  sixteen  privates,  who  were  out 
on  fatigue,  cutting  turf  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  from  the 
fort.  One  soldier  was  brouglit  in  dead  and  inhumanly  man- 
gled ;  two  were  brought  in  wounded — one  of  them  slightly 
and  the  other  mortally.  Six  privates  and  Mr.  Sporr  are 
missing.  Two  parties  were  imuiediatoly  sent  to  pursue  the 
enemy,  but  they  returned  without  being  able  to  come  up  with 
them.  Tbis  success  will,  no  du  ibt,  encourage  tbem  to  send 
out  a  greater  number  ;  and  the  intelligence  they  may  possibly 
acquire,  will  probably  hasten  the  main  body  destined  to  act 
against  us  in  these  parts.  Our  provision  is  greatly  diminished 
by  reason  of  the  spoiling  of  the  beef,  and  the  quantities  that 
must  bo  given  from  time  to  time  to  the  Indians.  It  will  not 
hold  out  above  six  weeks.  Your  Excellency  will  perceive,  in 
looking  over  Captain  Savage's  return  of  the  state  of  the  artillery, 
that  some  essential  articles  are  very  scarce.  As  a  great  num- 
ber of  the  gun-bullets  do  not  suit  the  firc-locks,  some  bullet- 
moulds  of  dilferent  sizes  for  casting  others,  would  be  of  great 
advantage  to  us.  Our  stock  of  powder  is  absolutely  too  httlo  ;  a 
ton,  in  addition  to  what  we  have,  is  wanted  as  the  lowest  propor- 
tion for  the  shot  we  have  on  hand.  Wo  will,  notwithstanding 
every  diniculty,  exert  ourselves  to  the  .!*'»»ost  of  our  power  ;  and 
if  your  Excellency  will  be  pleased  to  order  a  speedy  reinforce- 
ment, with  a  sullicient  supply  of  provision  and  anmiuniiion  to 
enable  us  to  hold  o\U  a  siege,  we  will,  I  hope,  by  the  blessing 
of  Ciod,  be  able  to  give  a  good  account  of  any  force  that  will 
probably  come  against  us." 

The  picture  is  gloomy  cnoiigh  ;  and  was  rendered  the  more 
so  from  the  mistakes  of  the  engineer,  a  Frenchman,  who  had 
been  employed  by  Oeneral  Schuyler,  and  whom  it  was  ulti- 
mately found  necessary  to  arrest  and  send  back  to  headquarters.* 


♦  Willcll'n  Narrotivo. 


226 


LIFK    OK    BFtAXT. 


[1777. 


n 


i 


Colonel  Willett  had  from  the  first  doubted  the  capacity  of 
Marquizee,  and  after  his  dismissal  the  work  proceeded  for  the 
most  part  under  iiis  own  immediate  direction. 

The  jrarrison  had  likewise  other  difficulties  to  encounter. 
With  the  gatherinty  of  St.  Leo'er's  motley  forces  at  Osv/ej^o,  pre- 
paratory to  his  descent  upon  the  Mohawk,  the  Indians,  ns  has 
already  been  seen  by  Gansevoort's  letter,  began  to  appear  in 
scouting  parties  in  tlic  circumjacent  forests.  'Die  utmost  cau- 
tion was  therefore  necessary  on  leaving  the  fort,  even  for  a  short 
distance.  It  was  during  this  critical  period  that  the  familiar 
incident  of  Captain  Gregg  and  his  faithful  dog  occurred, 
of  which  the  following  brief  account  was  given  by  Colonel 
Gansevoort : — 


i  . 


CoL.  Gansevoort  to  Gen,  Scmiuvler,  (Extract.) 

"  Fort  Schuyler,  June  20,  1777. 
"  I  am  sorry  to  inform  your  Honor  that  Captain  Gregg  and 
Corporal  Madisoti,  of  my  regiment,  went  out  a  gunning  yester- 
day morning,  contrary  to  orders.  It  seems  they  went  out  just 
after  l)reakf;ist,  and  at  about  10  o'clock  Corporal  Madison  was 
killed  and  scalped.  Captain  Gregg  was  shot  through  his  back, 
tomahawked  and  scalped,  and  ii<  still  alive.  1I(!  informs  mo 
that  the  misfortune  happened  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning. 
He  looked  at  his  watch  after  he  was  scalped.  He  saw  but  two 
Indians.  He  was  al)out  one  mile  and  a  half  from  the  fort, 
and  was  not  discovered  initil  two  o'clock  in  tln^  afternoon.  I 
nnmediately  sent  out  a  p.-uty  and  had  him  brought  into  the 
fort,  just  after  thrt!eo'clock  ;  also  tluM'orjjse  of  Madison.  <'regg 
is  perlectly  in  his  senses,  and  speaks  strong  and  hearty,  not- 
withstanding that  his  recovery  is  doubtful."'* 

There  was  little  of  roinanro  in  Colonel  Gansevoort,  and  ho 
related  the  in<'idenl  with  military  brevity.  The  story,  how- 
ever, lias  often  been  told,  with  a  variety  of  ainplilicatic-ns,  par- 
ticularly in  regard  to  the  woimded  soldier's  faithful  dog.  to 
whose  allectionato  sagacity  ho  is  said  to  have  been  indebted  for 
his  discovery,  if  not  his  life.  According  to  the  narrative  of 
President  nwighl,  it  appears  that  Gregg  and  his  compnnion 
had  been  sediKM^I  into  a  fatal  disobedience  of  orders,  by  the 

•  MS.  ol'li.*,  onj;inol  ilrniiglit,  ainon;;  Col.  Ganncvoorl'n  pnpcri". 


f 


if' 

IT    I!' 


1777.] 


STORY    OP    CAPTAIN    GRnOG. 


227 


'trrr 


llU 
|)\V- 

ar- 
to 

lor 
of 

(on 
ho 


I 


clouds  of  pigeons  appearing  in  tlic  adjoining  woods.  Imme 
diately  upon  their  full,  the  Indians  rushed  upon  tliem  for  their 
scalps,  which  they  took — giving  each  a  simultaneous  cut  upon 
the  head  with  their  tomahawks.  The  corporal  had  been  killed 
by  the  shot,  but  Captain  Gregg  was  only  wounded.*  Feign- 
ing death,  however,  he  had  the  presence  of  mind,  and  the  for- 
titude, to  submit  to  the  subsequent  torture  without  betraying 
liimself  by  a  groan  or  the  quivering  of  a  muscle.  The  Indians 
departing  immediately.  Captain  Gregg  ci-nvlod  to  his  lifeless 
companion,  and  pillowed  his  head  upon  his  body ;  while  iiis 
faithful  dog  ran  to  a  place  at  no  great  distance  thence,  where 
two  men  were  engaged  in  fishing,  and  by  his  imploring  looks 
and  significant  actions,  induced  them  to  follow  him  to  the  spot 
where  lay  his  wounded  master.  Hastening  to  the  fort,  tho  fish, 
ermcn  reported  what  they  had  seen,  and  a  party  of  soldiers  be- 
ing forthwith  despatched  to  the  place,  the  bodies  of  the  wounded 
and  the  dead  were  speedily  brought  into  the  garrison,  as  wo 
have  seen  from  the  Colonel's  ofiicial  accoimt.  ('aptain  Gregg 
was  severely  wounded,  independently  of  the  scalping;  and  his 
case  wos  for  n  long  time  critical. 

The  friendly  Indians,  then  cliicdy,  if  not  exclusively,  Onci- 
das,  though  still  acting  and  spetdving  in  the  name  of  the  Six 
Nations,  presented  an  addn.'ss  of  condolence  to  Colonel  fJanse- 
voort  on  this  oc<Mision,  to  which  the  latter  made  a  suitable  reply, 
which  alone  has  hmm  pieserveil,  and  reads  as  Ibllows:  — 

"  BuoTiii'.ii  Waiuiious  01-'  THE  ISix  N  vTiuNs  :  I  ihunk  you 
for  your  good  talk. 

"  HiioriiKKs;  Yon  tell  us  you  are  soiry  for  the  cruel  uau^Q 
of  ('aptain  (Jregg,  and  the  murder  of  onv  i-** our  warriors  ;  that 
you  woulil  have  immediately  pu.' ui.id  t'l'  murdtM'ers,  had  not 
(Jeneral  tSchuyler,  (Jeni'ral  (Jates,  and  I!i0  i-'reuch  (Jeneral,  de- 
sired you  not  to  lake  iuiy  pint  in  th'<''  wj«r ;  and  that  you  have 
obeyed  their  orders,  luid  are  re.«i  i,  d.  to  do  so.  I  conunend 
yotir  good  inclmation  and  inteuliin. 

"  UiioTiiKiis:  You  say  you  have  sent  a  runner  to  tho  Six 

♦  It  lm«  bpon  imrrtrd  in  lii«lory,  timl  Si.  r.t'jjor  pnconrogrd  tli(<»p  iRolatt'd  niiir- 
(JtTN  by  Inritd  Imunticn  for  f^rnlpn.  'I'wi-nty  ilollurs  i*  hind  to  liuvn  Immmi  thu  prico  ho 
paid  ;  but  liix  di'tpiiti-li  ii.  Linit.  Uird,  hiTnri'  cilrd,  Hotw  not  rorroli  >rato  tlin  cimrgn 
ol'«»."h  iiiliiimunily.  Tlml  dcupiitch  wax  u  privntc  diMMinit'iit,  morrov'"-,  not  written 
fur  till!  light,  or  for  I'fl'iTt,  nnd  iniiHt  tlicriforo  bu  rci-civod  ai  true.  It  wan  fonntl 
uiiioogCol.  OanHovoort'ii  piipcro. 


1 


IP 


i   f 


228 


LIFE  OF  nnAXT. 


[1777. 


Nations,  to  inform  them  of  what  has  happened,  and  that  you 
expect  some  of  your  cliiefs  will  look  into  the  afl'air,  and  try  to 
find  out  the  murderers.  You  have  done  well.  I  shall  be  glad 
to  smoke  a  pipe  with  your  chiefs,  and  liope  they  will  do  as  they 
speak. 

"  Brothers  :  I  hope  the  mischief  has  been  done,  not  by  any 
of  our  good  friends  of  the  Oneida  nation,  but  by  the  Tories, 
who  are  enemies  to  you  as  well  as  to  us,  and  who  are  ready  to 
murder  yourselves,  your  wives,  and  children,  if  you  will  not  be 
as  wicked  as  themselves. 

"  Brothers  :  When  your  chiefs  shall  convince  me  that  In- 
dians of  the  Six  Nations  have  had  no  hand  in  this  wicked  thitig, 
and  shall  use  means  to  find  out  the  murderers  and  bring  them 
to  justice,  you  may  be  assured  that  we  will  strengthen  the 
chain  of  friendship,  and  embrace  you  as  our  good  brothers.  I 
will  not  suffer  any  of  our  warriors  to  hurt  you." 

The  address  contained  two  or  three  additional  paragraphs 
in  reference  to  other  subjects.  Captain  Clrcgg  recovered, 
and  resumed  his  duties;  and  having  served  to  the  end  of  the 
war,  lived  many  years  afterward. 

Another  tragic  incident  occurred  at  nearly  the  same  time. 
About  noon,  on  the  3d  of  .Tuly,  the  day  being  perfectly  clear. 
Colonel  Willet  was  startled  from  his  siesta  by  the  report  of 
musketry.  Ilasfcning  to  the  parapet  of  the  glacis,  lie  saw  a 
little  girl  running  with  a  biusket  in  her  hand,  while  the  blood 
was  trickling  down  her  bosom.  On  investigating  the  facts,  it 
appeared  that  th<!girl,  wuh  two  otIitM's,  was  picking  berries,  not 
two  hundred  yarils  from  the  fort,  when  tluy  were  tired  upon 
by  a  parly  of  Indians,  and  two  of  the  number  killed,  Happily, 
she  who  only  was  left  to  tell  the  tale,  was  but  slightly  wounded. 
One  of  the  girls  killed,  was  the  daughter  of  an  invalid,  who  had 
served  many  years  in  tli(^  British  nrlillery.  He  was  entitled  to 
a  situation  in  Clielsca  Hospital,  but  had  preferred  rather  to  re- 
main ill  the  cultivation  ofa  small  piece  of  ground  at  Fori  Stan- 
wix,  than  again  to  cross  the  ocean.* 

By  the  middlf  of  .luly,  the  Indians  lioveriug  about  the  fort 
bocaujo  so  niunerous,  luul  so  bold,  as  to  occasion  great  annoy 
ance.     Largo  parties  of  soldiers  could  only  venture  abroad  on 
the  most  pressing  emergencies  ;  and  even  one  of  these  was  at- 


i^     1 


♦  WilluU'*  Nurrulivo. 


1777.] 


COMMENCEMENT    OF    THE    STEGE. 


229 


not 
ipoii 

lily, 
idod. 

1 1  ml 

il  to 
o  re- 
ll;ui- 

fort 
iioy 
il  on 
s  at- 


tacked, several  of  its  numbers  killed  and  woun  ed,  and  the 
officer  in  command  taken  prisoner.  The  force  of  the  garrison, 
at  this  time,  consisted  of  about  five  hundred  and  fifty  men— ill- 
supplied,  as  we  have  already  seen,  both  with  provisions  and 
munitions  of  war.  Fortunately,  however,  on  the  2d  of  August, 
the  very  day  of  the  investiture  of  the  fort  by  the  advance  of  St. 
Leger's  army  under  Thaycndancgea  and  Bird,  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Mellon,  of  Colonel  Weston's  regiment,  arrived  with 
two  hundred  men,  and  two  batteaux  of  provisions  and  military 
stores.  Not  a  ~nomont  was  lost  in  conveying  these  opportune 
supplies  into  the  fort.  Delay  would,  indeed,  have  been  danger- 
ous ;  for  at  the  instant  the  last  loads  arrived  at  the  fort,  the  ene- 
my appeared  on  the  skirt  of  the  forest,  so  near  to  the  boats,  that 
the  captain  who  commanded  them  became  their  prisoner.* 

The  command  of  Colonel  Gansevoort  now  consisted  of  seven 
hundred  and  fift/  men,  oil  told ;  and  upon  examination  it  was 
ascertained  that  they  had  provisions  for  six  weeks— with  fixed 
ammunition  enough  for  the  small  arms.  But  for  the  cannon 
they  were  lamentably  deficient — having  barely  enough  for  nine 
rounds  per  diem  dining  the  period  specified.  A  besieging 
army  was  before  the  fovt,  and  its  garrison  was  without  a  flag ! 
But  as  necessity  is  the  njother  of  invention,  they  were  not  long 
thus  destitute.  Stripes  of  white  were  cit  from  ammunition 
shirts;  blue  from  a  camblot  cloak  captured  from  the  enemy  j 
while  the  red  was  supplied  from  such  odds  and  ends  of  clotiics 
of  that  hue  as  wore  at  hand.t  Aiwl,  tlius  furnished,  commenced 
the  celebrated  defence  of  Fort  Schuyler. 

Such  wius  the  condition  of  Fort  Schuyler  at  the  commence- 
ment of  ti\e  uKMnorable  siege  of  1777 — an  event,  with  its  attend- 
ing circuinst;inces,  forming  an  ini[)ortant  feature  in  the  Northern 
1-^ider  warfare  of  the  Revoint'ou.  Colonel  St.  Legert  himself 
arrived  before  the  fort  on  the  3d  of  August,  with  his  whole 
force — a  motley  collection  of  British  regulars,  Hessian  auxilia- 

•  Willftt'o  N.irrntivr.  f  Mrm. 

I  It  m  (limriiU,  fioMi  tlv^  liuok*,  to  ttitrnnino  wliiit  was  iit  timt  tiino  tlio  pr«ciR« 
rnnk  of  St,  Ijt»'»i'r.  Fit'  lin»  usimlly  Ihmmi  cnlloil  ft  Ui-igadirr  (irntrnl.  By  fiome 
coiilom|(trnry  wntrrs  lie  \v.ii«  nillcil  Cnlonet  St.  l.cjror.  Uiit  in  (iriicrul  nur<»oyiU''i 
(1t'!»|>nl('lirs  to  I.onl  (icorgo  f ifriiiiiiiiP,  of  AiigUHt  "it),  1777,  lio  in  ri-prali'dly  drtio- 
iiiiniitiMl  i.'fi(/fiin(i/-ri)/oiif/  St.  iiognr.  lit-  in  niso  rnllroJ  Colonel  St.  I.ogor  by  Ilia. 
Hcit,  Hill  lie,  ni'vi  r'ltrlt»<:«,  ni^mtl  Iiik  iiaiiiua:iii  nri;;Hilior-(ier)erHl  iii  n  letter  loCol. 
QHniovoort,  uii  tliu  Uth  of  August. 


I  if 


III 


I 


230 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1777. 


lies,  New- York  loyalists,  usually  denominated  ''Johnson's 
Greens,"  together  with  numbers  of  the  Canadians,  and  the  In- 
dians under  Thuycndanesjea.  Sir  John  Johnson,  and  Colonels 
Claus  and  Butler,*  were  also  engaged  with  him  in  the  expe- 
dition. A  flag  was  sent  into  the  fort  on  the  morning  of  that 
day,  with  a  copy  of  a  rather  pompous  proclamation  from  St. 
Leger,  which,  it  was  probably  supposed,  from  its  vaunting 
threats  and  lavish  promises,  might  produce  a  strong  impression 
upon  tiie  garrison.  "  The  forces  intrusted  to  my  command 
"  are  designed  to  act  in  concert,  and  upon  a  common  principle, 
"with  the  numerous  armies  and  fleets  which  already  display, 
"  in  every  quarter  of  America,  the  power,  the  justice,  and,  when 
*'  properly  sought,  the  mercy  of  the  King."  So  commenced  the 
proclamation.  After  denouncing  "the  unnatural  rebellion" 
as  liaving  already  been  made  the  "foundation  lor  the  com- 
"  pletest  system  ol  tyranny  that  ever  God  in  his  displeasure  suf- 
"  fered  for  a  time  to  be  exercised  over  a  iVoward  and  stubborn 
"generation,"  and  charguig  that  '-arbitrary  imprisonment, 
"  confiscation  of  property,  perseciuion  and  lortuic,  unprece- 
"dented  in  the  inquisitions  of  the  Roman  churc':,  were  among 
"  the  palpable  enormities  that  verified  the  alfirmation  " — and 
ui'iv.r  denouncing  "  ilie  i)rolanation  of  religion,"  ard  other 
"shocking  proceedings"  of  the  civil  authorities  and  conunit- 
tees  in  rebellion,  the  prockunati«)n  pvocecdud — "  animated  by 
"  these  consi<ierations;  at  the  head  of  troops  in  the  lull  powers 
"  of  health,  discipline,  and  valor  ;  determined  to  strike  where 
"  necessary,  and  anxious  to  spare  when  possible,  I,  by  these 
"  presents,  invite  and  exhort  all  persons  in  all  places  where  tlio 
"  progress  of  this  army  may  point,  and  by  the  blessing  of  God 
"  1  will  extend  it  far,  to  maintain  such  a  conduct  as  may  justify 
"  me  in  protecting  their  lands,  habitations,  and  families."  The 
object  of  his  address  was  to  hold  forth  security,  and  not  depre- 
rUition  ;  he  offered  employment  to  those  who  would  join  hi.** 
standard;  security  to  th(!  infninand  industrious;  and  payment 
in  cohi  for  all  the  s  inplies  the  people  would  bring  to  his  camp. 
In  concliisiot^  ..e  Suil — "If,  notwithstanding  the.se  endeavors, 


i!    ., 


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JeiluM  Fonda  tho  Mnjut .  Sir  Julin  liad  hocit  cuiniiUHHioned  a  Otiuoral  itft^'r  tho  dtf« 
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1777.] 


PROGRKSS    OF    THE    RTEOE. 


231 


"  and  sincere  inclinations  to  effect  them,  the  frenzy  of  hostility 
*•  should  remain,  I  trust  I  shall  stand  acquitted  in  the  eyes  of 
"  God  and  men,  in  denouncing  and  executing  the  vengeance 
"  of  the  State  against  the  wilful  outcasts.  The  messengers  of 
"justice  and  of  wrath  await  them  in  the  field ;  and  devastation, 
"  famine,  and  every  concomitant  horror  that  a  reluctant,  but 
"  indispensable  prosecution  of  military  duty  must  occasion, 
"  will  bar  the  way  to  their  return."* 

This  manifesto,  however,  produced  no  effect,  then  or  after- 
ward. The  siege  had  been  anticipated,  and  the  brave  garrison, 
officers  and  men,  had  counted  the  cost  and  determined  to  defend 
the  fortress  to  the  last.  Accordingly,  hostilities  commenced 
actively  on  the  morning  of  the  following  day.  The  Indians, 
concealing  themselves  behind  clmr;ps  of  shrubbery  and  stumps 
of  trees,  annoyed  the  men  who  -  rf.  employed  in  raising  the 
parapets  not  a  little  with  their  ri  Several  were  wounded ; 

and  it  was  found  necessory  iniuiediatcly  to  station  sharp- 
shooters at  suitable  points,  to  watch  opportunities,  and  lire  in  re- 
turn. The  5tli  was  spent  in  much  the  same  manner,  with  the 
addition  of  the  throwing  of  a  few  shells  by  the  enemy — several  of 
which  fell  within  the  fort,  and  some  in  the  barracks.  "  On  the 
"  evening  of  this  day,  soon  after  it  was  dark,  the  Indians,  wlio 
"  were  at  least  one  thousand  in  number,  spread  themselves 
"  tlirough  the  woods,  completely  encircling  the  fort,  and  com- 
"  menccd  a  terrible  yelling,  which  was  continued  at  intervals 
"  the  greater  part  of  the  night.'"t 

Having  thus  commenced  his  operations,  Colonel  St.  Lcgor 
found  means  of  conveying  the  intelligence  to  General  Bur- 
goync — not  for  a  moment  anticipating  the  distressing  circum- 
stances in  which  the  Northern  Commander-in-chief  already 
found  himself  involved,  though  but  mid-way  in  the  career  of 
victory.  Harassed  incessantly  by  the  foes  he  had  vanquished; 
unable  to  obtain  supplies,  except  by  sending  back  for  them  to 
Fort  George,  in  which  service  his  troops  were  already  greatly 
fatigued  ;  not  one  third  of  his  horses  arrived  from  Cana- 
da; the  roads  excessively  bad,  and  rendered  all  but  impassa- 


'■;l| 


♦  For  tlie  proclfiinatioi),  ontiro,  sec  Appendix  No.  III.  It  is  ii  ropy,  or  nearly  so, 
of  tho  proclamation  almost  simiiltanfouslv  issutid  by  Cicneial  Biirgoyne,  announcing 
his  approaci)  from  Luku  (^imtnplain. 

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232 


LIFE    OF    BUANT. 


[1777. 


'i 


ble  by  a  deluge  of  rain  ;  with  only  four  days  of  provisions  on 
Imnd ;  the  vaunting  General,  who  had  boasted  in  the  British 
capital  that,  with  ten  thousand  men,  he  could  march  through 
the  whole  rebel  country  at  pleasure,  already  found  himself  in 
an  unenviable  situation.  But  on  learning  the  advance  of  Ge- 
neral St.  Leger,  he  instantly  and  justly  considered  that  a  rapid 
movement  forward,  at  this  critical  juncture,  would  be  of  the 
utmost  importance.  If  the  retreating  Americans  should  pro- 
ceed up  the  Mohawk  with  a  view  of  relieving  Fort  Schuyler, 
in  the  event  of  St.  Lcger's  success  against  that  place  they 
would  place  themselves  between  two  fires ;  or  perhaps  Bur- 
goyne  supposed  that  were  such  a  movement  to  be  made  on  the 
part  of  the  Americans,  he  might  yet  throw  his  army  between 
them  and  Albany,  and  thus  compel  them  either  to  stand  a  ge- 
neral engagement  or  to  strike  off  to  the  right,  and  by  recrossing 
the  Hudson  higher  up,  secure  a  retreat  into  New  England.  If, 
on  the  other  hand,  the  Americans  should  abandon  Fort  Schuyler 
to  its  fate,  and  themselves  fall  back  upon  Albany,  he  argued 
that  the  Mohawk  country  would  of  course  be  entirely  laid  open 
to  him  ;  his  junction  with  St.  Leger  established,  and  the  com- 
bined army  be  at  liberty  to  select  its  future  line  of  operation.* 
But  his  supplies  were  inadequate  to  such  an  extensive  opera- 
tion, and  liis  army  was  too  weak  to  allow  him  to  keep  up  such 
a  chain  of  posts  as  would  enable  him  to  bring  them  up  daily 
from  the  depot  at  Lake  George.  With  a  view,  therefore,  of 
obtaining  immediate  relief,  and  of  opening  a  new  source  of  sup- 
ply, especially  of  cattle,  from  the  upper  settlements  of  New 
England,  the  expedition  to  Bennington,  the  placoof  dcposite  of 
provisions  for  the  Provincial  forces,  was  planned,  and  committed 
to  a  detachment  of  the  Hessian  troops,  under  Colonel  Baum,  for 
execution.  The  signal  fuilure  of  this  expedition  was  calculated 
still  farther  both  to  embarrass  and  depress  the  invaders ;  while 
the  brilliant  success  of  the  militia  under  General  Starke  on 
that  occasion,  proving,  as  it  had  done,  thnt  neither  English 
nor  German  troops  were  invincible,  revived  the  drooping  spirits 
of  the  disheartened  ;  re-inspired  the  people  with  confidence  of 
ultimate  success  ;  and  was  the  source  of  universal  (^xulinfion. 
The  progress  of  events  brings  us  back  to  the  lower  Valley  of 


1 


•  London  Ui>ivcr(<ul  Mngaxine. 


1 


mmi 


irrr.i 


AnVANCK    OP    GEXEUAL    IIKKKIMER. 


233 


the  Mohawk.  No  sooner  was  the  advance  of  St.  Leger  upon 
Fort  Schuyler  known  to  the  Committee  and  ofRcers  of  Tryon 
County,  than  General  Herkimer,  in  conformity  with  the  pro- 
clamation heretofore  cited,  summoned  the  militia  of  his  com- 
mand to  the  field,  for  the  purpose  of  marching  to  the  succor  of 
the  garrison.  Notwithstanding  the  despondency  that  had  pre- 
vailed in  the  early  part  of  the  Summer,  the  call  was  nobly  re- 
sponded to,  not  only  by  the  militia,  but  by  the  gentlemen  ot 
the  County,  and  most  of  the  members  of  the  Committee,  who 
entered  the  field  either  as  oflicers  or  private  volunteers.  The 
fears  so  generally  and  so  recently  indulged  seemed  all  to  have 
vanished  with  the  arrival  of  tlic  invader,  and  the  General  soon 
found  himself  at  the  head  of  between  eight  hundred  and  a 
thousand  men,  all  eager  for  action  and  impatient  of  delay. 
Their  place  of  rendezvous  was  at  Fort  Dayton,  (German  Flatts,) 
in  the  upper  section  of  the  Mohawk  Valley — and  the  most 
beaut" ful.  The  regiments  were  those  of  Colonels  Klock, 
Visscher,  Cox,  and  one  or  two  others,  augmented  by  volunteers 
and  vohinteer  oflicers,  who  were  pushing  forward  as  though  de- 
termined at  all  hazards  to  redeem  the  character  of  tlie  county. 
Indeed,  their  proceedings  were  by  far  too  impetuous,  since  they 
hurried  forward  in  their  march  without  order  or  precaution, 
without  adequate  flanking  parties,  and  without  reconnoitring 
the  ground  over  \v.iich  they  were  to  pass.  They  moved  from 
Fort  Dayton  on  the  4th,  and  on  the  5th  reached  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Oriskany,*  where  they  encamped.  From  this  point 
an  express  t  was  sent  forward  by  General  Herkimer  to  apprise 
Colonel  Gansevoort  of  his  approach,  and  to  concert  measures  of 
co-operation.  The  arrival  of  the  express  at  the  fort  was  to  be 
nnnoiuiced  by  three  successive  discharges  of  cannon,  the  re- 
port of  which,  it  was  supposed,  would  be  distinctly  hoard  at 
Oriskany — only  eight  miles  distant.  Delays,  however,  inter- 
vened, so  that  the  messengers  did  not  reach  the  fort  until  ten  or 
eleven  o'clock  on  the  following  morning ;  previous  to  which 
the  camp  of  the  enemy  being  uncommonly  silent,  a  portion  of 
their  troops  had  been  observed  by  the  garrison  to  bo  moving 
along  the  edge  of  the  woods  down  the  river,  in  the  direction  of 

•  Piolmhly  tlio  site  of  \  'Mfontown.     One  of  tlio  MS.  norrntives  in  the  author'* 
po»Bo»«ion  (inyd  tlioy  cronncd  tlio  river  at  old  Fort  Schuyler  (now  Ulica. ) 
f  Adain  Uchnur  uccoiinionicd  by  two  ollior  men. 


234 


I.IFE    OP    BUANT, 


[1777, 


I 


iv 


tlic  Oriskany  Creek.*  The  concerted  sig-nals  were  immediate- 
ly fired  ;t  and  as  the  proposition  of  Herkimer  was  to  force  a 
passage  to  the  fort,  arrangements  were  immediately  made  by 
Colonel  Gansevoort  to  effect  a  diversion  of  the  enemy's  atten- 
tion, by  making  a  sally  from  the  fort  upon  the  hostile  camp, 
for  which  purpose  two  hundred  men  were  detailed,  consisting 
one  half  of  Gansevoort's,  and  one  half  of  the  Massachusetts 
troops,  and  one  field-piece — an  iron  three  pounder.  The  exe- 
cution of  the  enterprise  was  entrusted  to  Colonel  Willett.J 

It  appears  that  on  the  morning  of  that  day,  \vhich  was  the 
6tlijof  August,  General  Herkimer  had  misgivings  as  to  the  pro- 
priety of  advancing  any  farther  without  first  receiving  reinforce- 
ments. His  officers,  however,  were  eager  to  press  forward.  A 
consultation  was  held,  in  which  some  of  the  officers  manifested 
much  impatience  at  any  delay,  while  the  General  still  urged 
them  to  remain  where  they  were  until  reinforcements  could 
come  up,  or  at  least  until  the  signal  of  a  sortie  should  be  re- 
ceived from  the  fort.  High  words  ensued,  during  which 
Colonels  Cox  and  Paris,  and  many  others,  denounced  their 
commander  tc  his  face  as  a  Tory  and  coward.  The  brave  old 
man  calmly  replied  that  ho  considered  himself  placed  over 
them  as  a  father,  and  that  it  was  not  his  wish  to  lead  them  into 
any  difficulty  from  which  he  could  noi  extricate  them.  Burn- 
ing, as  they  now  seemed,  to  meet  the  enamy,  he  told  them 
roundly  that  they  would  run  at  his  first  appearance.^  But  his 
remonstrances  were  unavailing.  Their  clamor  increased,  and 
their  reproaches  were  repeated,  until,  stung  by  imputations  of 
cowardice  and  a  want  of  fidelity  to  the  cause,||  and  somewhat 
irritated  withal,  the  General  immediately  gave  the  order-- 


I 


♦  Lottor  of  Colcnrl  Willott  to  Clovrrnor  Tninibull  of  Connorticiit. 
t  MS.  of  Captain  Ilonry  Scebcr,  in  tho  author's  poasossion.     Sec,  alio,  Willett's 
Narrative. 

I  Willctl's  letter  to  aovrmor  Trumlmll.  Tho  olTiccrB  serving  in  tiiis  dclach- 
mcnt  were  Captain  Van  ncnsciiolcn  aiul  Licutriiant  Stockwcll,  who  led  tho  ad- 
vnnco  guard  ;  Captains  Allen,  (of  Massac  huse(t<»,)  Hleecker,  Johnson,  and  Swart- 
wout;  I.ieutenonts  Diefendorf,  (>onyne,  Bogardus,  M'Clonner,  and  Hall;  Ensigns 
Clmse,  Hailey,  Lewis,  Denniston,  Magce,  and  Arncnt.  Tho  rear-guard  was  com- 
manded hy  Mojor  llndlam. 

§  Travels  of  Presidi-nt  nwitht,  vol.  iii.  p.  108. 

II  MS.  stolcmont  ofClcorgc  Walter,  in  possession  of  the  author;  olso  of  Henry 
Seohnr, 


1777.] 


BATTLE    OF    ORISKANY, 


235 


"  March  on  !"*  The  words  were  no  sooner  heard  than  the 
troops  gave  a  shout,  and  moved,  or  rather  rushed  forward. 
They  marched  in  files  of  two  deep,  preceded  by  an  advanced 
guard  and  keeping  flanks  upon  each  side.t 

Having,  by  10  o'clock,  proceeded  rapidly  forward  to  the  dis- 
tance of  only  two  or  three  miles,t  the  guards,  both  front  and 
flaiiks,  were  suddenly  shot  down,  the  forest  rang  with  the  war- 
whoops  of  a  savage  foe,  and  in  an  instant  the  greater  part  of 
the  division  found  itself  in  the  midst  of  a  fjrmidable  ambuscade. 
Colonel  St.  Leger,  it  appeared,  having  heard  of  the  advance  of 
General  Herkimer,  in  order  to  prevent  ar  attack  in  his  intrench- 
ments,  had  detached  a  division  of  Sir  John  Johnson's  regiment 
of  Greens,  under  Sir  John's  brother-in-law.  Major  Watts,  Colo- 
nel Butler  with  his  Rangers,  and  Joseph  Brant  with  a  strong 
body  of  Indians,  to  intercept  his  approach.^  With  true  Indian 
sagacity,  Thayendanegca  had  selected  a  position  admirably  fit- 
ted for  his  purpose,  which  was,  to  draw  the  Americans,  whom 
he  well  knew  to  be  approaching  in  no  very  good  military  array, 
into  an  ambuscade.  The  locality  favored  his  design.  There 
was  a  deep  ravine  crossing  the  path  which  Herkimer  with  his 
undisciplined  array  was  traversing,  "  sweeping  toward  the 
"  East  in  a  semicircular  form,  and  bearing  a  Northern  and 
"  Southern  direction.  The  bottom  of  this  ravine  was  marshy, 
"  and  the  road  crossed  it  by  means  of  a  causeway.  The  ground, 
"  thus  partly  enclosed  by  the  ravine,  was  elevated  and  level. 
"  The  ambuscade  was  laid  upon  the  high  ground  west  of  the 
"  ravino."ll 

The  enemy  had  disposed  liimself  adroitly,  in  a  circle,  leav- 
ing only  a  narrow  segment  open  for  the  admission  of  the  ill- 
starred  Provincials  on  their  approach.     The  stratagem  was 


'f^P 


•  Rtfttcmont  of  Adam  Miller,  in  possession  of  tlie  author. 

t  It  Ims  buftn  clmrgcd  by  most  writers  tiint  even  tlioso  ordinary  precautions  wcro 
not  ohservod.     Miller  and  Walter,  liowovor,  both  assert  tho  fact. 

I  Tlio  battle  ground  is  about  two  miles  west  of  Oriskany,  and  six  from  Wiiites- 
borougli. 

§  In  every  aeconnt  of  this  battle  wliieh  has  fallen  under  the  author's  observation, 
cxecpting  that  of  (-olonel  VVillett,  Sir  .Fohn  .Tohnson  is  made  tho  British  commander 
at  this  battle.  1  lo  was  not  in  it  at  all,  as  will  appear  a  few  pages  forward.  Even  tho 
cautious  and  inquisitive  President  Dwight  fulls  into  tho  error,  and  carries  it  through 
luH  whole  ai'('o\int. 

II  CunipbcH's  Annals, 


/\\ 


236 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1777. 


M 


successful.  Unconscious  of  the  presence  of  the  foe,  Herkimer, 
with  his  whole  army  excepting  the  rcar-aruard,  composed  of 
Colonel  Visscher's  recriment,  found  himself  encompassed  at 
the  first  fire— the  enemy  closing  up  the  gap  at  the  instant  of 
making  himself  known.  By  thus  early  completing  the  circle,  the 
baggage  and  ammunition  w^^ggons,  which  had  just  descended 
into  the  ravine,  were  cut  off  and  separated  from  the  main  body, 
as  also  was  the  regiment  of  Colonel  Visscher,  yet  on  the  Eastern 
side  of  the  ravine ;  which,  as  their  general  had  predicted, 
instantly  and  ingloriously  fled,  leaving  their  companions  to 
their  fate.  They  were  pursued,  however,  by  a  portion  of  the 
Indians,  and  suffered  more  severely,  probably,  than  they  would 
have  done,  had  they  stood  by  their  fellows  in  the  hour  of  need, 
either  to  conquer  or  to  fall. 

Being  thrown  into  irretrievable  disorder  by  the  suddenness  of 
the  surprise  and  the  dcstructiveness  of  the  fire,  which  was 
close  and  brisk  from  every  side,  the  division  was  for  a  time 
threatened  with  annihilation.  At  every  opportunity  the  sa- 
vages, concealed  behind  the  trunks  of  trees,  darted  forward 
with  knife  and  tomahawk  to  ensure  the  destruction  of  those 
who  fell ;  and  many  and  fierce  were  the  conflicts  that  ensued 
hand  to  hand.  The  veteran  Herkimer  fell,  wounded,  in  the 
early  part  of  the  action — a  musket  ball  having  passed  through 
and  killed  his  horse,  and  shattered  liis  own  leg  just  below  tho 
knee.*  The  General  was  placed  upon  his  saddle,  however, 
against  the  trunk  of  a  tree  for  his  support,  and  thus  continued 
to  order  the  battle.  Colonel  Cox,  and  Captains  Davis  and  Van 
Sluyck,  were  severally  killed  near  the  commencement  of  tho 
engagement ;  and  the  slaughter  of  their  broken  ranks,  from  tho 
rifles  of  the  Tories  and  ihc  spears  and  tomahawks  of  tho  Indians, 
was  dreadful.  But  even  in  this  doi)Iorable  situation  tho 
wounded  Genenil,  his  men  dropping  like  leaves  around  him, 
Dnd  the  forest  rcsouniling  with  tho  horrid  yells  of  the  savages, 
ringing  high  and  wild  over  the  din  of  battle,  behaved  with  tho 
mcnt  perfect  firmness  and  composure.  The  action  had  lasted 
about  forty-five  minutes  in  groat  disorder,  before  the  Provincials 
formed  themselves  into  circles  in  orJor  to  repel  the  attacks  ot 
the  enemy,  wlio  were  concentrating,  and  closing  in  upon  them 


I 


Wulton'a  Mi"!,  account. 


1777.] 


DATTLi:    OF    OUISKA^V. 


237 


from  all  sides.*  From  this  moment  the  resistance  of  the  Pro- 
vincials was  more  effective,  and  the  enemy  attempted  to  charge 
with  the  bayonet.  The  firing  ceased  for  a  time,  excepting  the 
scattering  discharges  of  musquetry  from  the  Indians  ;  and  as 
the  bayonets  crossed,  the  contest  became  a  death  struggle,  hand 
to  hand  and  foot  to  foot.  Never,  however,  did  brave  men  stand 
a  charge  with  uwve  dauntless  courage,  and  the  enemy  for  the 
moment  seemed  to  recoil — just  at  the  instant  when  the  work 
of  death  was  arrested  by  a  heavy  shower  of  rain,  which  sud- 
denly broke  upon  the  combatants  with  great  fury.  The  storm 
raged  for  upward  of  an  hour,  during  which  time  the  enemy 
sought  such  shelter  as  might  be  found  among  the  trees  at  a 
respectful  distance ;  for  they  had  already  suffered  severely,  not- 
withstanding the  advantages  in  their  favor. 

During  this  suspension  of  the  battle,  both  parties  had  time  to 
look  about,  and  make  such  new  dispositions  as  they  pleased 
for  attack  and  defence,  on  renewing  the  murderous  conflict. 
The  Provincials,  under  the  direction  of  their  General,  were  so 
fortunate  as  to  take  possession  of  an  advantageous  piece  of 
ground,  upon  which  his  men  formed  themselves  into  a  circle, 
and  as  the  shower  broke  away,  awaited  the  movements  of  the 
enemy.  In  the  early  part  of  the  battle,  the  Indians,  whenever 
they  saw  a  gun  fired  by  a  militia-man  from  behind  a  tree,  rushed 
upon  and  tomahawked  him  before  he  could  re-load.  In  order 
to  counteract  this  mode  of  warfare,  two  men  were  stationed 
behind  a  single  tree,  one  only  to  fire  at  a  time — the  other  re- 
serving his  fire  until  the  Indians  ran  up  as  beforc.t  The  fight 
was  presently  renewed,  and  by  the  new  arrangement,  atid  the 
cool  execution  done  by  the  fire  of  the  militia  forming  the  main 
circle,  the  Indians  were  made  to  sufter  severely ;  so  much  so, 
that  they  began  to  give  way,  when  Major  Watts  t  came  up  with 
a  reinforcement,  consisting  of  another  detachment  of  Johnson's 
Oreens.i     Those  men  were  mostly  loyalists,  who  had  fled  from 


r  ■. 


*  Thn  drfl  movement  ofllii.^  kind  was  iiiado  by  Jucob  Sceber,  witliout  ordcri,  ac- 
cording to  llio  niirrutive  of  tienry  Seubcr. 

f  Cnnipbdl'w  Annnh. 

J  Brother  oftho  Into  venerable  John  Watts,  of  Ncw-Yoik. 

§  Cainpbi.H.  Tl>o  oncmy,  as  on  tlio  marult  from  Oswego,  had  posted  a  line  of 
ieutinoia  at  slioit  dislnncrs  from  each  other,  extending  from  St.  Loger's  intrench- 
ntents  to  tlio  seeiiii  of  action ;  eo  that  communiuationa  could  be  interchanged  rapidly, 
and  at  pleasure. 


i 


238 


LIFE    OF    RRANT. 


[1777. 


i 


Tryon  County,  now  returned  in  arms  against  their  former 
neighbors.  As  no  quarrels  are  so  bitter  as  those  of  famihes,  so 
no  wars  are  so  cruel  and  passionate  as  those  called  civil.  Many 
of  the  Provincials  and  Greens  were  known  to  each  other ;  and 
as  they  advanced  so  near  as  to  afford  opportunities  of  mutual 
recognition,  the  contest  became,  if  possible,  more  of  a  death 
struggle  than  before.  Mutual  resentments,  and  feelings  of  hate 
and  revenge,  raged  in  their  bosoms.  The  Provincials  fired 
upon  them  as  they  advanced,  and  then  springing  like  chafed 
tigers  from  their  covers,  attacked  them  with  their  bayonets  and 
the  butts  of  their  muskets,  or  both  parties  in  closer  contact 
throttled  each  other  and  drew  their  knives ;  stabbing,  and 
sometimes  literally  dying  in  one  another's  embrace. 

At  length  a  firing  was  heard  in  the  distance  from  the  fort,  a 
sound  as  welcome  to  the  Provincials  as  it  was  astounding  to 
the  enemy.  Availing  themselves  of  the  hint,  however,  a  rusc^ 
de-gtierre  was  attempted  by  Colonel  Butler,  which  had  well- 
nigh  proved  fatal.  It  was  the  sending,  suddenly,  from  the  di- 
rection of  the  fort,  a  detachment  of  the  Greens  disguised  as 
American  troops,  in  the  expectation  that  they  might  be  received 
as  a  timely  reinforcement  from  the  garrison.  Lieutenant  Jacob 
Sammons  was  the  first  to  descry  their  approach,  in  the  direction 
of  a  body  of  men  commanded  by  Captain  Jacob  Gardenier — an 
oflicer  who,  during  that  memorable  day,  performed  prodigies 
of  valor.  Perceiving  that  their  hats  were  American,  Sammons 
informed  Captain  Gardenier  that  succors  from  the  fort  were 
coming  up.  The  quick  eye  of  the  Captain  detected  the  ruse, 
and  he  replied — "  Not  so :  they  are  enemies  :  don't  you  see 
their  green  coats  !"*  They  continued  to  advance  until  hailed 
by  Gardenier,  at  which  moment  one  of  his  OAvn  soldiers,  ob- 
serving an  acquaintance,  and  supposing  him  a  friend,  ran  to 
meet  him,  and  presented  his  hand.  It  was  grasped,  but  with  no 
friendly  gripe,  as  the  credulous  fellow  was  dragged  into  the 
opposing  line,  and  informed  that  he  was  a  prisoner.  He  did  not 
yield  without  a  struggle ;  during  which  Gardenier,  watching 
the  action  and  the  result,  sprang  forward,  and  with  a  blow  from 
his  spear  levelled  the  captor  to  the  dust  and  liberated  his  man.t 
Others  of  the  Ibe  instantly  set  upon  him,  of  whom  he  slew  the 

*  Manuscript  narrative  of  William  Qardenier,  in  the  pofieisioit  of  the  author, 
t  Idem, 


1777.] 


BATTLE    OF   ORISHANY. 


239 


second  and  wounded  a  third.  Three  of  the  dis^nised  Greens 
now  sprang  upon  him,  and  one  of  his  spurs  becoming  en- 
tangled in  their  clothes,  he  was  thrown  to  the  ground.  Still 
contending,  however,  with  almost  super-human  strength,  both 
of  his  thighs  were  transfixed  to  the  earth  by  the  bayonets  of 
two  of  his  assailants,  while  the  third  presented  a  bayonet  to 
his  breast,  as  if  to  thrust  him  through.  Seizing  th.is  bayonet 
with  his  left  hand,  by  a  sudden  wrench  he  brought  its  owner 
down  upon  himself,  where  he  held  him  as  a  shield  against  the 
arms  of  the  others,  until  one  of  his  own  men,  Adam  Miller,* 
ob  rving  the  struggle,  flew  to  his  rescue.  As  tbe  assailants 
t  ,ned  upon  their  new  adversary.  Garden icr  rose  upon  his  seat ; 
,  ad  although  his  hand  was  severely  lacerated  by  grasping  the 
Dayonet  which  had  been  drawn  through  it,  he  seized  his  spear 
lying  by  his  side,  and  quick  as  lightning  planted  it  to  the  barb 
in  the  side  of  the  assailant  with  whom  he  had  been  clenched. 
The  man  foil  and  expired — proving  to  be  Lieutenant  M-Don- 
ald,  one  of  the  loyalist  officers  from  Tryon  County.  All  this 
transpired  in  far  less  time  than  is  necessarily  occupied  by  the  re- 
lation. While  engaged  in  the  struggle,  some  of  his  own  men 
called  out  to  Gardenier — "  for  God's  sake,  Captain,  you  are 
killing  your  own  men  !"  He  replied — "  they  are  not  our  men — 
they  are  the  enemy — fire  away !"  A  deadly  fire  from  the  Pro- 
vincials ensued,  during  which  about  thirty  of  the  Greens  fell 
slain,  and  many  Indian  warriors.  The  parties  once  more 
rushed  upon  each  other  with  bayonet  and  spear,  grappling  and 
fighting  with  terrible  fury ;  while  the  shattering  of  shafts  and 
the  clashing  of  steel  mingled  with  every  dread  sound  of  war  and 
death,  and  the  savage  yells,  more  hideous  than  all,  presented  a 
scene  which  can  be  more  easily  imagined  than  d'  .ribed.f 
The  Unparalleled  fortitude  and  bravery  of  Captain  Garde»  ier  in- 
fused fresh  spirits  into  hi^  men,  some  of  whom  enacted  won- 
ders of  valor  likewise.      It  hapixined  during  the  melee,  in 


*  The  samo  whose  private  narrative  lias  already  been  cited. 

t  MS.  of  William  Gardenier.  It  was  in  reference  to  these  individual  deeds  o( 
prowess,  that  the  eloquent  Qouverncur  Morris  thus  spoke  in  his  address  bcforo 
the  New- York  Ilistoricat  Society: — "Let  mo  recall,  •gentlemen,  to  ymir  recollec- 
tion, that  bloody  field  in  which  Iterkiiner  fell.  There  waH  found  the  Indian  and 
the  white  man  born  on  the  banks  of  the  Mohawk,  their  left  hand  clenched  in  each 
other's  hair,  the  right  grasping  in  a  gripe  of  death,  the  knii'e  plunged  in  each  other'* 
bOBom;  thus  they  lay  frowning." 

H5 


240 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1777. 


I'    I 


f«! 


which  the  contending  parties  were  mingled  in  great  confusion, 
that  three  of  Johnson's  Greens  rushed  within  the  circle  of  the 
Provincials,  and  attempted  to  make  prisoner  of  a  Captain  Dii- 
lenback.  This  officer  had  declared  he  would  never  be  taken 
alive,  and  he  wps  not.  One  of  his  three  assailants  seized  his 
gun,  but  he  suddenly  wrenched  it  from  him,  and  felled  him 
with  the  butt.  He  shot  the  second  dead,  and  thrust  the  third 
through  with  his  bayonet.*  But  in  the  moment  of  his  triumph 
at  an  exploit  of  which  even  the  mighty  Hector,  or  either  of  the 
sons  of  Zeruiah  might  have  been  proud,  a  ball  laid  this  brave 
man  low  in  thp.  dust. 

Such  a  conffict  as  this  could  not  be  continued  long  ;  and  the 
Indians,  perceiving  with  what  ardor  the  Provincials  maintained 
the  fight,  and  finding  their  own  numbers  sadly  diminished,  now 
raised  the  retreating  cry  of  "  Oonah  .'"  and  fled  in  every  direc- 
tion, under  the  shouts  and  hurrahs  of  the  surviving  Provincials 
and,  a  shower  of  bullets.  Finding,  moreover,  from  the  firing  at 
the  fort,  that,  their  presence  was  necessary  elsewhere,  the 
Greens  and  Rangers  now  retreated  precipitately,  leaving  the 
victorious  militia  of  Tryon  County  masters  of  the  field.f 

Thus  ended  one  of  the  severest,  and,  for  the  numbers  en- 
gaged, one  of  the  most  bloody  battles  of  the  Revolutionary 
war.  Though  victorious,  the  loss  of  the  Provincials  was  very 
heavy  ;  and  Tryon  County  long  had  reason  to  mourn  that  day. 
Colonel  Paris  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  enemy,  and  afterward 
murdered  by  the  Indians.  Several  other  prisoners  were  also 
killed  by  the  savages,  after  they  had  been  brought  into  Colonel 
Butler's  quarters ;  and,  as  it  was  said,  by  the  Colonel's  own 
tacit  consent,  if  not  permission  in  terms.  But  the  general  cha- 
racter of  that  officer  forbids  the  imputation.*  Major  John  Frey, 
of  Colonel  Klock's  regiment,  was  likewise  wounded  and  taken  ; 

*  Georgo  Walter  relates  this  incident,  in  his  narrntive,  in  the  possession  of  the 
author.  Walter  was  himself  a  witness  of  the  fact,  while  lying  wounded  with  two 
bails,  by  the  side  of  General  Herkimer. 

t  It  is  an  extraordinary  fact,  that  every  historian  who  has  written  of  the  battle  of 
Oriskany,  has  recorded  it  as  a  defeat  of  the  Provincials,  from  Marshall  and  Ramsay 
down,  to  say  nothing  of  the  British  chroniclers.  Such  was  also  the  author's  im- 
pression until  he  undertook  the  present  investigation.  Captain  Brant  himself,  in 
conversation  with  Samuel  Woodruff,  Esq.  admitted  that  they  were  the  victors;  and 
all  the  written  statements  which  the  author  has  been  able  to  procure  from  the  surviv- 
ors of  that  hatlie,  bear  the  same  testimony. 

I  Tlie  lute  Doctor  Mosos  Younglove,  of  Hudson,  Columbia  County,  was  the 


\777.] 


BiTTLE    OF    ORISKANY. 


241 


; 


and  to  show  the  more  tha.;  savage  fury  burning  in  the  bosoms 
of  the  men  brousfht  into  conflict  on  this  occasion,  the  disgrace- 
ful  fact  may  be  added,  that  his  own  brother,  wlio  was  in  the 
British  service,  attempted  to  take  his  hfe  after  he  had  arrived  in 
Bntler's  camp.  The  Major  saw  his  brother  approaching  in  a 
menacing  manner,  and  called  out — "  Brother,  do  not  kill  me  ! 
Do  you  not  know  me  ?"  But  tlie  infuriated  brother  rushed 
forward,  and  the  Major  was  only  saved  by  the  interposition  of 
others.*  The  whole  number  of  the  Provincial  militia  killed 
was  two  hundred,  exclusive  of  wounded  and  lost  as  prisoners. 
Such,  at  least,  was  the  American  report.  The  British  state- 
ments claimed  that  four  hundred  of  the  Americans  were  killed, 
and  two  hundred  taken  prisoners.! 

Retaining  possession  of  the  field,  the  survivors  immediately 
set  themselves  at  work  in  constructing  rude  litters,  upon  which 
to  bear  off  the  wounded.  Between  forty  and  fifty  of  these, 
among  whom  was  the  commanding  General,  were  remove  '  in 
this  manner.  The  brave  old  man,  notwithstanding  the  impru- 
dence of  the  morning — imprudence  in  allowing  a  premature 
movement  at  the  dictation  of  his  subordinates — had  nobly  vin- 
dicated his  character  for  courage  during  the  day.  Though 
wounded,  as  we  have  seen,  in  tlie  onset,  he  had  borne  himself 
during  the  six  hours  of  conflict,  under  the  most  trying  circum- 
stances, with  a  degree  of  fortitude  and  composure  worthy  of  all 
admiration.  Nor  was  his  example  without  eflect  in  sustaining 
Ills  troops  amid  the  perils  by  which  they  were  environed.  At 
one  time  during  the  battle,  while  sitting  upon  his  saddle  raised 


If. 


surgeon  of  General  Herkimer's  brigade.  ITe  was  taken  prisonnr  in  this  battle  by  a 
sergeant  of  Sir  John  Jobnson'd  regiment.  After  his  release  he  made  a  deposition 
setting  forth  many  grievous  barbarities  committed,  both  l»y  the  Indians  and  Tories, 
upon  the  prisoners  who  fell  into  their  hands  that  day.  Tliey  were  cruelly  tortured, 
several  of  them  murdered  ;  and,  as  the  Doctor  had  reason  to  believe,  some  of  them 
were  subsequently  taken  to  an  island  in  Lake  Ontario,  and  eaten.  Tiiis  is  scarcely 
to  be  believed.     See  Deposition  of  Dr.  Younglove,  Appendix  No.  IV. 

•  MS.  statement  of  Jacob  Timmerman,  in  the  autiior's  possession. 

t  "  On  the  5lh  I  learned,  from  discovering  parties  on  tlie  Mohawk  river,  that  a  body 
of  one  thousand  militia  were  on  their  march  to  raise  the  siege.  On  the  confirmation 
of  this  news,  I  movod  a  largo  body  of  Indians,  with  some  troops,  tiie  same  night,  to 
lay  in  ambuscade  for  them  on  their  march.  They  fell  into  it.  The  completest  vic- 
tory was  obtained.  Above  four  liundrcd  lay  dead  on  the  field,  amongxt  the  number 
of  whom  were  almost  all  the  principal  movers  of  rebellion  in  thut  country." — Letter 
of  Colonel  St.  Leger  to  General  Burgoyne,  dug.  11,  1777. 


242 


LIFE    OF    BRAXT. 


[1777. 


upon  a  little  hillock,  beino:  advised  to  select  a  less  exposed  situa- 
tioiij  he  replied — "  I  will  face  the  enemy."  Thus,  "  surrounded 
"  by  a  few  men,  he  continued  to  issue  his  orders  with  firmness. 
"  In  this  situation,  and  in  the  heat  of  the  onslaught,  he  delibe- 
"  rately  took  his  tinder-box  from  his  pocket,  lit  his  pipe,  and 
"  smoked  with  great  composure."*  At  the  moment  the  soldiers 
were  placing  him  on  the  litter,  while  adjusting  the  blankets  to 
the  poles,  three  Indians  approached,  and  were  instantly  shot 
down  bv  the  unerring  rifles  of  three  of  the  militia.  These 
were  the  last  shots  fired  in  that  battle.f 

The  loss  of  the  enemy  in  this  engagement  was  equally,  if 
not  more  severe,  than  that  of  the  Americans.  The  Greens  and 
Rangers  of  Sir  John  Johnson  and  Colonel  Butler  must  have 
suffered  badly,  although  no  returns  were  given  in  the  contem- 
poraneous accounts.  Major  Watts  was  severely  wounded  and 
left  on  the  field,  as  was  supposed,  among  the  slain.  His  death 
was  reported  by  Colonel  Willett,  in  liis  letter  to  Governor 
Trumbull,  and  by  other  authorities.  But  such  was  not  the 
fact.  Reviving  from  faintness  produced  by  loss  of  blood,  some 
hours  after  the  action,  he  succeeded  in  crawling  to  a  brook, 
where,  by  slaking  his  thirst,  he  was  preserved  from  speedy 
death,  and  in  the  covirse  of  two  or  throe  days  was  found  by 

♦  Campbell.  An  ofiicer,  who  was  in  the  general  staff  at  the  battle  of  Leipzig,  haa 
related  to  the  author  a  very  similar  incident  in  the  conduct  of  old  Blucher.  He  was 
not  wounded  ;  but  he  sat  upon  a  hillock,  issuing  his  orders  and  smoking  his  pipe, 
while  the  cannon  balls  were  ploughing  up  the  earth  about  him. 

t  Narrative  of  Jacob  Sammons,  MS.  The  officers  of  the  Tryon  County  militia 
killed  or  wounded  in  this  battle  were  as  follows  : — In  Colonel  Frederick  Visscher'3 
regiment,  Captains  John  Davis  and  Samuel  Pettingill,  killed ;  Major  Blauvelt  and 
Lieut.  Groat  taken  prisoners  and  never  heard  of  afterward  ;  Captain  Jacob  Garde- 
nier  and  Lieut.  Samuel  Gardenicr  wounded.  In  Colonel  Jacob  Klock's  regiment, 
Major  John  Eiseiilord,  and  Major  Van  Sluyck,  and  Captain  Andrew  Dillenback, 
killed ;  Captains  Christopher  Fox  and  John  Breadbeg,  wounded ;  Brigade  Major 
John  Frey,  wounded  and  taken  prisoner.  In  Colonel  Peter  Bellinger's  regiment, 
Major  Enos  Klepsatllc,  Captain  Frederick  Hclmer,  and  Lieut.  Petrie,  were  killed. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Frederick  Bellinger  and  Henry  Walradt'  were  taken  prisoners. 
In  Colonel  Ebenezcr  Cox's  regiment,  Colonel  Cox  and  Lieut.  Col.  Plunt  wero 
killed  ;  Captains  Henry  Dicfendorf,  and  Robert  Grouse,  and  Jacob  Bowman,  kill- 
ed. Captain  Jacob  Seeber  and  Lieut.  William  Seeber  mortally  wounded.  The 
surgeon,  Moses  Younglovc,  was  taken  prisoner.  Among  the  volunteers  not  be- 
longing to  the  militia,  who  were  killed,  were  Isaac  Paris,  (then  a  member  of  the 
Legislature,)  Samuel  Billington,  John  Dygert,  and  Jacob  Snell,  members  of  tho 
Committee  of  Safety.  There  was  likewise  a  Captain  Graves  who  fell,  but  to  which 
regiment  he  belonged  tho  author  has  not  ascertained. 


1777.] 


BATTLE    OF    ORISKANY. 


243 


some  Indian  scouts,  and  brougfit  into  St.  Legcr's  cami  .*  But 
the  Indians  were  the  most  roughly  handled,  they  having  lost 
nearly  one  hundred  warriors,  several  of  whom  were  sachems  in 
great  favor.  Frederick  Sammons,  who  had  been  dstached  up- 
on a  distant  scout  previous  to  the  battle,  returning  some  days 
afterward,  crossed  the  battle-field,  where,  he  says — "I  beheld 
"  the  most  shocking  sight  I  had  ever  witnessed.  The  Indians 
"  and  white  men  were  mingled  with  one  another,  just  as  they 
*'  had  been  left  when  death  had  first  completed  his  work. 
"  Many  bodies  had  also  been  torn  to  pieces  by  wild  beasts."! 

It  has  been  affirmed  that  the  Indians  were  persuaded  to  join 
in  this  battle  only  with  great  difficulty,  and  not  until  they  had 
been  induced  to  sacrifice  their  reason  to  their  appetites.  It  was 
very  manifest  that  during  the  action  many  of  them  were  intox- 
icated. The  consequence  was,  that  they  suffered  more  severely 
tlian  ever  before. +  According  to  the  narrative  of  Mary  Jtmison, 
the  Indians,  (at  least  the  Senecas,)  were  deceived  into  the  cam- 
paign. "  Tliey  were  sent  for  to  see  the  British  whip  the  rebels. 
"  They  were  told  that  they  were  not  wanted  to  fight,  but  merely 
"  to  sit  down,  smoke  their  pipes,  and  look  on.  The  Senecas 
"  went  to  a  man  ;  but,  contrary  to  their  expectation,  instead  of 
"  smoking  and  looking  on,  they  were  obliged  to  fight  for  theii 
*  lives  ;  and  in  the  end  of  the  battle  were  completely  beaten, 
**  with  a  great  loss  of  killed  and  wounded."! 

The  whole  Indian   force   was  led  by  Thayendanegea   in 

•  This  statement  respecting  Major  Watts  was  derived  from  the  late  Mr.  John 
Watts,  of  New-York,  his  brother.  As  mentioned  in  the  text,  St.  Leger,  in  his  offi- 
cial report,  did  not  state  the  number  of  his  own  killed  and  wounded.  Colonel  But- 
ler, however,  wrote  to  Sir  Guy  Carleton-^"  Of  the  New-Yorkers,  Captain  M'Donald 
was  killed,  Captain  Watts  dangerously  wounded,  and  one  subaltern.  Of  the  Ran- 
gers, Captains  Wilson  and  Hare  killed,  and  one  private  wounded.  The  Indians 
suffered  much,  having  thirty-three  killed  and  twenty-nine  wounded ;  the  Senecas  lost 
seventeen,  among  whom  were  several  of  their  chief  warrior.^,  and  had  sixteen 
wounded.  During  the  whole  action  the  Indians  showed  the  greatest  zeal  for  his 
Majesty's  cause;  and  had  they  not  been  a  little  too  precipitate,  scarcely  a  rebel  of 
the  party  would  have  escaped.  Most  of  the  leading  rebels  arc  cut  off  in  the  action, 
so  that  any  farther  attempts  from  that  quarter  are  not  to  be  expected.  Captain 
Watts,  of  the  Royal  New-Yorkers,  whose  many  amiable  qualities  deserved  a  better 
fate,  lay  wounded  in  three  places  upon  the  field  two  days  before  he  was  found."— 
Parliamentary  Register. 

f  MS.  narrative  of  Frcdorick  Sammons,  in  the  author's  possession. 

\  Jo  1  niil  of  General  Lincoln. 

§  Life  of  Mary  Jemison. 


244 


LIKE    OF    nUANT. 


[1 


i  t  i . 


lit 


/if ' 

3' 


person — "the  great  Captain  of  the  Six  Nations,"  as  he  was 
then  called — and  as  tlie  Cayugas  had  now  likewise  joined  the 
Mohawks  in  alliance  with  the  arms  of  England — the  Onondu- 
gas  adopting  a  doubtful  policy,  but  always,  in  fact,  acting 
against  the  Provincials — he  must  have  had  a  large  force  in  the 
field.  Of  the  Senecas  alone  thirty-six  were  killed  and  a  great 
number  wounded.  Captain  Brant  was  accustomed,  long  years 
afterward,  to  speak  of  the  sufferings  of  his  "  poor  Mohawks"  in 
that  battle.  Indeed,  the  severity  with  which  they  were  handled 
on  that  occasion,  rendered  them  morose  and  intractable  during 
the  remainder  of  the  campaign  ;  and  the  unhappy  prisoners 
were  the  first  to  minister  with  their  blood  to  their  resentment,* 
"  Our  town,"  says  Mary  Jemison,  "  exhibited  a  scene  of  real 
"  sorrow  and  distress  when  our  warriors  returned  and  recount- 
"  ed  their  misfortunes,  and  stated  the  real  loss  they  had  sus- 
"  tained  in  the  engagement.  The  mourning  was  excessive, 
"  and  was  expressed  by  the  most  doleful  yells,  shrieks,  and 
"  bowlings,  and  by  inimitable  gesticulations." 

It  was  unfortunate  that  General  Herkimer  formed  his  line  of 
march  with  so  little  judgment  that,  when  attacked,  his  men 
were  in  no  situation  to  support  each  other;  and  more  unfortu- 
nate still,  that  he  marched  at  all,  so  long  before  he  could  expect 
to  hear  the  concerted  signal  for  the  diversion  to  be  made  in 
}m  favor  by  the  sortie  of  Colonel  Willett.  The  heavy  rain 
storm,  moreover,  which  caused  a  suspension  of  the  battle,  had 
likewise  the  ell'ect  of  delaying  the  sally  for  nearly  an  hour.  It 
was  made,  however,  as  soon  as  it  was  practicable,  and  was  not 
only  completely  successful,  but  was  conducted  with  such  abili- 
ty and  spirit  by  the  gallant  ollicer  to  whom  it  was  confided,  as 


♦  In  Mr.  Snmiinl  Woo(lrii(T'«  memoranda  of  his  convcrsotiono  witli  Drant,  rofir. 
red  to  in  tlio  introduction,  it  in  noted  as  iho  ndinisnion  of  the  latter,  tliat  "  ho  and  hin 
Aloiiawks  wcro  conipellud  to  fl(!u  in  a  dispersed  condition  through  the  woodn,  nil 
lufTuring  from  fatisijiio  and  hniigor  heforo  they  arrived  at  a  filaco  of  safety.  Their 
relreut  began  at  ni^ilitfall.  They  were  purHued  by  a  body  of  Oncidas,  who  fmififit 
with  General  Herkimer.  Tliu  ni^lit  was  dark  and  lowury.  Kxhauittctl  by  the  la- 
tors  of  tho  day,  and  fearful  bo  mij;ht  bo  ovurlaken  by  thn  purflning  Oneidan,  Drant 
ascended  a  branching  tree,  and  planting  himnelf  in  the  crotch  of  it,  waited  somewhat 
impatiently  for  daylis(ht."  There  is  evidontly  somewhat  of  error  in  tiiis  atatement 
Tho  field  of  battle  was  not  more  than  fivu  miles  from  St.  Leber's  entrenchment!*, 
and  tiu)  battle  was  ended  at  "i  oVioek  P.  M,  Jiidgo  W.  probably  confuundvd  Uiit 
battle  with  anoUiur — perhapH  Uiut  of  tho  Chemung. 


1777.] 


SORTIE  OP  COLONEL  WILLETT. 


246 


to  win  for  him  the  applause  of  the  foe  himself.*  In  addition 
to  the  two  hundred  men  detailed  for  this  service,  under  Colo- 
nel Willctt's  comn.and,  as  before  stated,  fifty  more  were  added 
to  guard  the  light  iron  three  pounder  already  mentioned.  Witli 
these  troops,  and  this  his  only  piece  of  mounted  ordnance,  Co- 
lonel Willett  lost  not  a  moment,  after  the  cessation  of  the  rain, 
in  making  the  sally.  The  enemy's  sentinels  being  direct'y 
in  sight  of  the  fort,  the  most  rapid  movements  were  necessary. 
The  sentinels  were  driven  in,  and  his  advanced  guard  attacked, 
before  he  had  time  to  form  his  troops.  Sir  John  Johnson,  whose 
regiment  was  not  more  than  two  huudrcd  yards  distant  from 
the  advanced  guard,  it  being  very  warm,  was  in  liis  tent,  di- 
vested of  his  coat  at  the  moment,  and  had  not  time  to  put  it  on 
before  his  camp  was  assailed.  Such,  moreover,  were  the  cele- 
rity of  Willett's  movement  and  the  impetuosity  of  the  attack, 
tliat  Sir  John  could  not  bring  his  troops  into  order,  and  their 
only  resource  was  in  flight.  The  Indian  encampment  was 
next  to  that  of  Sir  John,  and  in  turn  was  carried  with  equal 
rapidity.  The  larger  portion  of  the  Indians,  and  a  distachnient 
from  the  regiment  of  Sir  John,  were,  at  the  very  moment  of  this 
unexpected  assault  upon  their  quarters,  engaged  in  the  battle 
ofOriskany.  Those  who  were  left  behind  now  betook  them- 
selves,— Sir  John  and  his  men  to  the  river, — and  the  Indians 
to  their  natural  shelter,  the  woods — the  troops  of  Colonel  Wil- 
lett firing  briskly  upon  them  in  their  flight.  The  amount  of 
spoil  found  in  the  enemy's  camp  was  so  great,  that  Willett  was 
oliliged  to  send  hastily  to  the  fort  (()r  waggons  to  convey  it 
away.  Seven  of  these  vehicles  were  three  times  loaded  and 
discharged  in  the  fort,  while  the  bravo  little  Provincial  baud 
held  possession  of  the  encampments.  Among  the  spoils  thus 
captured,  coiisistinir  of  camp  equipage,  clolhinu:,  blankets,  stores, 
&c.  wero  five  Hritish  standards,  the  bnggage  of  Sir  John 
Johnson,  with  all  his  papers,  the  biigffMge  of  a  number  of  other 
ofllcers,  with  memoranda,  journals,  luid  orderly  books,  contain- 
ing all  the  informulion  desirable  on  the  part  of  the  besieged.  1 


t' :  I, 


snt. 
his 


♦  London  tJiiivrr^nl  Mnpniino,  1782, 

f  "  Ainonj!  ollirr  Ihingn  token  frooj  tho  ftnfmy,  woro  Bpvrriil  luindle^  of  pnporn, 
and  n  pnrci'l  of  Irtti-rs  luionjiinj;  lo  nnr  j^rh^nn,  w\wh  tln'V  Imd  tiikrn  I'niin  our 
militin,  hut  not  yet  nprnc<l.  Hero  1  found  onn  lottor  for  my  sell' :  there  wcro  liko- 
wist*  pupuri  h('lon<;ing  tu  Sir  Joltn  Johnnon,  and  siworul  otheri  of  the  enemy 'h  of1\' 


246 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1777. 


While  Colonel  Willett  was  returning  to  the  fort,  Colonel  St, 
Leger,  who  was  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  attempted  a 
movement  to  intercept  him.  Willett's  position,  however,  ena- 
bled him  to  form  his  troops  so  as  to  give  the  enemy  a  full  fire 
in  front,  while  at  the  same  time  he  was  enfiladed  by  the  fire  of 
a  small  field-piece.  The  distance  was  not  more  than  sixty 
yards  between  them ;  and  although  St.  Leger  was  not  back- 
ward in  returning  the  fire,  his  aim  was  nevertheless  so  wild  as  to 
be  entirely  without  effect.  The  assailants  returned  into  the  for- 
tress in  triumph,  without  having  lost  a  man — the  British  flags 
were  hoisted  on  the  flag-staff  under  the  American — and  the  men, 
ascending  the  parapets,  gave  tliree  as  hearty  cheers  as  were 
ever  shouted  by  the  same  number  of  voices.  Among  the  pri- 
soners brought  off  by  the  victors,  was  Lieutenant  Singleton, 
of  Sir  John  Johnson's  regiment.  Several  Indians  were  found 
dead  in  their  camp,  and  others  were  killed  in  crossing  tlie 
river.  The  loss  to  the  enemy,  particularly  in  stores  and  bag- 
gage, was  great;  while  the  affair  itself  was  of  still  more  in*- 
portance,  from  the  new  spirit  of  patriotic  enthusiasm  with 
which  it  inspired  the  little  garrison.*  For  this  chivalrous  ex- 
ploit Congress  passed  a  resolution  of  thanks,  and  directed  the 
Commissary  General  of  military  stores  to  procure  an  elegant 
sword,  and  present  the  same  to  Colonel  Willett  in  the  name  of 
the  United  States. 

General  Herkimer  did  not  long  survive  the  battle.  He  was 
conveyed  to  his  own  house  t  near  the  Mohawk  river,  a  few 
miles  below  the  Little  Falls ;  where  his  leg,  which  had  been 
shattered  five  or  six  inches  below  Iho  knee,  was  amputated 
about  ten  days  after  the  battle,  by  a  young  French  surgeon  in 
the  army  of  General  Arnold,  and  contrary  to  the  advice  of  the 
General's  own  medical  adviser,  the  late  Doctor  Petrio.  But 
the  operation  was  unskilfully  performed,!  and  it  was  found  ini- 

cori,  with  Icttori  to  and  from  Qcnrral  St.  Lrgor,  Iho  commnndpr.  Tlieno  lotlers 
have  been  of  Bomo  Hcrvice  to  us." — Colonrl  Wiltttl'n  letler  to  Governor  TruntbuU. 

*  In  thin  acconnt  of  tho  sortio,  tho  niithor  hnn  adopted  almoRt  tho  very  liinj(uaf(0 
of  tho  brave  Colonel  hitniiolf,  in  hi*  Nnrrntivo.  An  ho  led  Iho  afTnir,  and  wan  of 
courie  tho  beat  qualified  to  doncribo  it,  the  author  could  do  no  bettor  than  tako  bin 
own  words.  In  tracinf(  the  progroai  of  tho  liege,  it  will  bo  ofien  ncccsiary  to  draw 
from  tlie  samo  indinpntablo  aourcp. 

t  Yet  standing,  1S37. 

\  Col.  IlufT  a  itatomcnt  — MS.  in  poti«i»ion  of  Iha  author. 


1777.] 


DEATH  OF  GENERAL  HERKIMER. 


247 


Im- 

Iten 

|ag*r 

I  of 
lliii) 


possible  by  liis  attendants  to  stanch  the  blood.     Colonel  Wil- 
lett  called  to  see  the  General  soon  alter  the  operation.     He  was 
sittin<j  up  in  his  bed,  with  a  pipe  in  his  mouth,  smoking,  and 
talking  in  excellent  spirits.      He  died  the  night  following  that 
visit.     His  friend.  Colonel  John  Roft',  was  present  at  the  am- 
putation, and  afiirmed  that  he  bore  the  operation  with   uncom- 
mon Ibrtitude.     He  was  likewise  with  him  at  the  time  of  his 
death.     Tlie  blood  contiiuiing  to  flow — there  being  no  physi- 
cian in  immediate  attendance — and  being  himself  satisfied  that 
the  time  of  his  departure  was  nigh,  the  veteran  directed  the 
Holy  Bible  to  be  brought  to  him.     He  then  opened  it  and  read, 
in  the  presence  of  those  who  surrounded  his  bed,  with  nil  the 
composure  which  it  was  possible  for  any  man  to  exhibit,  the 
thirty-eighth  psalm — applying  it   to  his  own   situation.*     He 
soon  idtorward  expired  ;  and  it  may  well  be  <|u.jstioned  whether 
the  annals  of  man  furnish  a  more  striking  example  of  Christian 
heroism — calm,  delil)erat(^  and  firm  in  the  hour  of  death — than 
is  presented  in  this  remarkable  instance.     Of  the  early  history 
of  General   Herkimer  but  littb    is  known.     It   has   been  al- 
ready stated  that  his  family  was  one  of  the  first  of  the  Ger- 
mans who  planted  themselves  in  the  IMohawk  Valley.     And 
the  massive  stone  mansion,  yet  standing  at  German  b'latts, 
bespeaks  its  early  opulence.     He  was  an  imeducated  man— 
with,  if  possible,  less  skill  in  letters,  even  than  General  Put- 
nam, which   is   saying  much.     IJut    he  was,  nevertheless,  a 
man  of  strong  and  vigorous  understanding — destitute  of  some 
of  the   essential   re([uisites  of  generalship,  but  of  the   most 
cool   and   dauntless    courage.      These   traits  were   all   strik- 
ingly disclosed  in  the  brief  and  bloody  expedition  to  Oriska- 
ny.     Hut  ho  must  have  been  well  accpiainted  with  that  most 
important  of  all    books — TivS  IJiiH.n.     Nor  could   the  most 
learned  biblical  scholar,  lay  or  clerical,  have  selected  a  portion 
of  tile  Sacred  Scriptures  more  exactly  appropriate;  to  the  situa- 
tion of  the  dying  soldier,  than  that  to  which  he  himself  spon- 
taneously turned.     If  Socrates  died   like  a  philosopher,  and 
llousseau  like  an  unbelieving  sentinuMitalist,  (Jenerid  Herkimer 
died  like  a  Chri.stian  Hero.     Congress  passed  a  resohuion 
re(iiiosling  the  Governor  and  Council  of  New- York  to  erect  a 


nl 


*  Htatemont  of  Colonel  Ron;  in  poMsosiion  of  tlio  Author. 

30 


ll 


(■ 


248 


LIFE    OF    BR.VNT. 


[1777. 


monument,  at  the  expense  of  the  United  States,  to  the  memory 
of  this  brave  man,  of  the  vahie  of  five  hundred  dollars.  This 
resokition  was  transmitted  to  the  Governor  of  New- York, 
George  Clinton,  in  a  letter  from  which  the  following  passage 
is  quoted  : — "  Every  mark  of  distinction  sliown  to  the  memory 
"  of  such  illustrious  men  as  offer  up  their  lives  for  the  liberty 
"  and  happiness  of  their  country,  reflects  real  honor  on  those 
"  who  pay  the  tribute  ;  and  by  holding  up  to  others  the  pros- 
"  pect  of  tlime  and  immortality,  will  animate  them  to  tread  in 
"  the  same  path."  Governor  Clinton  thus  wrote  to  the  Com- 
mittee of  Tryon  County  on  the  occasion  : — "  Enclosed  you 
"  have  a  letter  and  resolves  of  Congress,  for  erecting  a  menu 
"  ment  to  the  memory  of  your  lute  gallant  General.  While 
"  with  you  I  lament  the  cause,  I  am  impressed  with  a  due 
"  sense  of  the  great  and  justly  merited  honor  the  Continent  has, 
"  in  this  instance,  paid  to  the  memory  of  that  brave  man." 
Such  were  the  feelings  of  respect  for  the  services  and  memory 
of  the  deceased  entertained  by  the  great  men  of  that  day. 
Sixty  years  have  since  rolled  away,  and  the  journal  of  Con- 
gress is  the  only  monument,  and  the  resolution  itself  the  only 
inscription,  which  as  yet  testify  the  gratitude  of  the  republic  to 
General  Nicholas  Herkimeu. 


Fi  . 


il 


CHAPTER  XI. 


Siege  of  Fort  Schuyler  continued — Forced  letter  from  prisoners  to  Col.  Gansevoort 
— St.  Leger  summons  the  garrison  to  surrender — Ili'insal  of  Gansevoort — Appeal 
of  Sir  John  Johnson  to  the  people  of  Tryon  County — Secrctpxpedition  of  Colonel 
Willett  and  Major  Stockwcll — Sciiuyler  orders  Arnold  to  the  relief  of  Gansevoort 
— Willett  proceeds  to  Albany — Arrest  of  Walter  Buller,  and  others,  at  German 
FIntts — Tried  and  convicted  as  a  spy — Reprieved — Sent  to  Albany — Escapes — 
Arnold's  proclamation — Advance  of  the  besiegers — Uneasiness  of  the  garrison — 
Sudden  flight  of  St.  Leger  and  his  forces — Stratnirem  of  Arnold — Story  of  Ilon- 
Yost  Schuyler — Merriment  and  mischief  of  the  Indians — Arrival  of  Arnold  atthe 
Fort — The  spoils  of  victory — Public  estimation  of  Gansevoorl's  services — Ad- 
dress to  his  soldif'rs — His  promotion — Address  of  his  officers. 

Tfiough  in  fact  defeated  at  Oriskaiiy,  the  enemy  claimed,  as 
we  have  seen,  a  victory.  In  one  sense,  it  is  trno,  the  achieve- 
ment was  theirs.  They  had  prevented  the  advance  of  the 
Americans  to  the  succor  of  the  fort ;  and  on  tiieir  retreat  the 
Americans  were  unable  to  pursue.  Still  the  field  was  won, 
and  retained  by  them.*  Availing  himself  of  his  questionable 
success,  however,  and  well  knowing  that  days  must  probably 
elapse  before  the  garrison  could  become  apprised  of  the  whole 
circumstances  of  the  engagement  and  its  issue,  St.  Legor  lo.st 
no  time  in  endeavoring,  by  false  representations,  to  press  the 
besieged  to  a  capitulation.  On  the  same  night  of  the  battle, 
therefore,  at  9  o'clock,  Colonel  Bellinger  and  Major  Frey,  being 
in  St.  fiCger's  camp  ns  prisoners,  wer^  i-onipelled  to  address  a 
note  to  Colonel  Gansevoort,  greatly  exaggerating  the  disasters 
of  the  day,  and  strongly  urging  a  surrender.  In  this  letter 
they  «!poke  of  the  defeat  at  Oriskany,  of  the  impossibility  of 
receiving  any  farther  succor  from  below— of  the  formidable 
force  of  St.  Leger,  together  with  his  train  of  artillery— an- 
nounced the  probable  fact  that  Burgoync  and  his  army  were 
then  before  Albany,  and  stated  tiiat  longer  resistance  would 
only  result  in  "  inevitable  ruin  and  destruclion."t     Tiic  letter 

•  It  was  nlles?ed,  in  nemo  of  tho  contomporanoous  accoimtd,  that  thn  forcei  en- 
gaged with  Herkimer  wcro  ordered  back  in  conaequonco  of  tho  sortie  of  Willott. 
Tiiat  circumatanco,  howovur,  dues  not  alter  tho  csauntial  facts  of  thu  cue.  The 
victory  was  tho  aamc. 

t  Soo  Appendix,  No.  V.  for  a  copy  of  thii  letter,  written  while  under  dureM- 


,  « 


,1  .  i\ 


iff 


Ii" 


250 


LIFK    01'    liUANT. 


[1777. 


V     r 


i 


was  transmitted  to  Colonel  Gansevoort  by  St.  Legcr's  Adjutant- 
general,  Colonel  Butler,  who,  in  delivering  it,  made  a  verbal 
demand  of  surrender.  Colonel  Gansevoort  replied  that  he 
would  give  no  answer  to  a  verbal  summons,  unless  delivered 
by  Colonel  St.  Lcgcr  himself,  but  at  the  mouth  of  his  cannon. 

On  the  following  day  a  white  flag  approached  the  garrison, 
with  a  request  that  Colonel  Butler,  and  two  other  ofTicers, 
might  be  admitted  into  the  fort  as  bearers  of  a  messa(;e  to  the 
commanding  oflicer.  Permission  being  granted,  those  ofiicers 
were  conducted  blind-folded  into  the  fort,  and  received  by 
Colonel  Gansevoort  in  his  dininof-room.  The  windows  of  the 
room  were  shut,  and  candles  lighted  ;  a  table  was  also  spread, 
upon  which  were  placed  some  slight  refreshments.  Colonels 
Willett  and  Mellen  were  present  at  the  interview,  together  with 
as  many  of  the  American  officers  as  could  be  accommodated  in 
the  quarters  of  their  commander.  After  the  officers  were 
seated  and  the  wine  had  been  passed  around.  Major  Ancrom, 
one  of  the  messengers,  addressed  Colonel  Gansevoort  in  sub- 
stance as  follows  : — 

"  I  am  directed  by  Colonel  St.  Leger,  the  officer  commanding 
the  army  now  investing  this  garrison,  to  inform  the  command- 
ant that  the  Colonel  has,  with  much  difficulty,  prevailed  on  the 
Indians  to  agree,  that  if  the  garrison,  without  farther  resistance, 
shall  be  delivered  up,  with  the  public  stores  belonging  to  it,  to 
the  investing  army,  the  officers  and  soldiers  shall  have  all  their 
baggage  and  private  property  secured  to  them.  And  in  order 
that  the  garrison  may  have  a  sufficient  pledge  to  this  effect, 
Colonel  Butler  accompanies  me  to  assure  them,  that  not  a  hair 
of  the  head  of  any  one  of  them  shall  be  hurt."  (Here  turning 
to  Colonel  Butler,  he  said,  '  Tiiat,  I  think,  was  the  expression 
tliey  made  use  of,  was  it  not  ?' — to  which  the  Colonel  answered, 
'  Yes.')  "  I  am  liUewiso  directed  to  remind  the  commandant, 
that  the  defeat  of  General  Herkimer  must  deprive  the  garrison 
of  al!  hopes  of  relief,  especially  as  General  Burgoyne  is  now  in 
Albany  ;  so  that,  sooner  or  later,  the  fort  must  fall  into  our 
hands.  (\)lonel  St.  I.eger,  from  an  earnest  desire  to  prevent 
farther  bloodshed,  hopes  these  terms  will  not  be  refused  ;  as  in 
this  case  it  will  he  out  of  his  power  to  make  them  again.  It 
was  with  great  difficulty  the  Indians  consented  to  tlie  present 
arrangement,  as  it  will  deprive  them  of  tliat  plunder  which 


;. 


1777.] 


SIEGE    OF    FOEtT    SCHUYLER. 


251 


they  always  calculate  upon  on  similar  occasions.  Should,  then, 
tlie  present  terms  be  rejected,  it  will  be  out  of  the  power  of  the 
Colonel  to  restrain  the  Indians,  who  are  very  numerous  and 
much  exasperated,  not  only  from  plundering  the  property,  but 
destroying  the  lives,  probably,  of  the  greater  part  of  the  garri- 
son. Indeed,  the  Indians  are  so  exceedingly  provoked  and 
mortified  by  the  losses  they  have  sustained  in  the  late  actions, 
having  had  several  of  their  favorite  chiefs  killed,  that  they 
threaten — and  the  Colonel,  if  the  present  arrangements  should 
not  be  entered  into,  will  not  be  able  to  prevent  them  from  exe- 
cuting tlieir  threats — to  march  down  the  country,  and  destroy 
the  settlement,  with  its  inhabitants.  In  this  case,  not  only  men, 
but  women  and  children,  will  experience  the  sad  effects  of 
their  vengeance.  These  considerations,  it  is  ardently  hoped, 
will  produce  a  proper  effect,  and  induce  the  commandant,  by 
complying  with  the  terms  now  offered,  to  save  himself  from  fu- 
ture regret,  when  it  will  bo  too  late." 

This  singular  oration  was  of  course  delivered  extempora- 
neously, as  also  was  the  following  reply  by  Colonel  Willett, 
with  the  approbation  of  Colonel  Ganscvoort ; — 

"  Do  I  iniderstand  you.  Sir  ?  I  think  you  say,  that  you 
come  from  a  British  colonel,  who  is  commander  of  the  army 
that  invests  this  fort ;  and  by  your  uniform,  you  appear  to  be 
an  officer  in  the  Hritish  service.  You  have  made  a  long  speech 
on  the  occasion  of  your  visit,  which,  stripped  of  all  its  superflui- 
ties, amounts  to  this — that  you  come  from  a  British  colonel,  to 
the  commandant  of  this  garrison,  to  tell  him,  that  if  he  does 
not  deliver  up  the  garrison  into  the  hands  of  your  Colonel,  he 
will  send  his  Indians  to  nmrder  our  women  tuid  children. 
You  will  please  to  reflect,  sir,  that  their  blood  will  bo  on  your 
liciid,  not  on  ours.  We  are  doing  our  duty  :  this  garrison  is 
committed  to  our  charge,  and  wc  will  take  care  of  it.  After 
you  get  out  of  it,  you  may  turn  round  and  look  at  its  outside, 
but  never  expect  to  come  in  again,  unless  you  come  a  prisoner. 
I  consider  the  message  you  have  brought,  a  degrading  one  for 
a  British  officer  to  send,  and  by  no  moans  reputable  for  a  Bri- 
tish officer  to  carry.  For  my  own  part,  I  declan;,  before  I 
would  consent  to  deliver  this  garrison  to  such  a  murdering  set 
ns  your  army,  by  your  own  accoiuit,  consists  of,  I  would  suffer 
my  body  to  l)e  filled  with  splinters,  and  set  on  fire,  as  you  know 


.1 , ) 


^i;'; 


252 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1777. 


I, 


iH    I 


i'^A 


I  .,' 


has  at  times  been  practised,  by  such  hordes  of  women  and 
children  killers  as  belong  to  your  army." 

Colonel  Willett  observes  in  his  narrative,  whence  these  facts 
are  drawn,  that  in  the  delivery  he  looked  the  British  major 
full  in  the  face  ;  and  that  he  spoke  with  emphasis  is  not  doubt- 
ed. The  sentiments  contained  in  this  reply  were  received  with 
universal  a))plause  by  the  Provincial  officers,  who,  far  from 
being  intimidated  by  the  threats  of  the  messengers,  were  at 
once  impressed  with  the  idea  that  such  pressing  efforts  to  in- 
duce a  capitulation  could  only  be  the  effect  of  doubt,  on  the 
part  of  the  enemy  himself,  of  his  ability  either  to  sustain  the 
siege  or  carry  the  works  by  assault.  Before  the  interview  was 
closed.  Major  Ancrom  requested  that  an  English  surgeon  who 
was  with  him  m'~ht  be  permitted  to  visit  the  British  wounded 
in  the  garrison,  which  request  was  granted.  Major  Ancrom 
also  proposed  an  armistice  for  three  days,  which  was  likewise 
agreed  to  by  Colonel  Gansevoort — the  more  readily,  probably, 
because  of  his  scanty  supply  of  ammunition. 

On  the  9th  of  August,  Colonel  Gansevoort  having  refused 
to  recognize  any  verbal  messages  from  the  British  commander, 
Colonel  St.  Leger  transmitted  the  substance  of  Major  Ancrom's 
speech  in  the  form  of  a  letter — protesting  that  no  indignity  was 
intended  by  the  delivery  of  such  a  message — a  message  that 
had  been  insisted  upon  categorically  by  tlie  Indians — and  for- 
mally renewing  the  summons  of  a  surrender — adding,  that  the 
Indians  were  becoming  exceedingly  impatient,  and  if  the  pro- 
position should  be  rejected,  the  refusal  would  be  attended  with 
very  fatal  consequences,  not  only  to  the  garrison,  but  to  the 
whole  country  of  the  Mohawk  river.* 

The  reply  of  Colonel  Gansevoort  was  written  with  soldierly 
brevity,  in  the  following  words : — 


N 


•\ 


t 


COL.    GANSEVOORT    TO   COL.    .ST.    LEGER. 

«  Fort  Schuyler,  Aug.  9th,  1777. 
"Sir, 
"  Your  letter  of  this  day's  date  I  have  received,  in  answer  to 
which  I  say,  that  it  is  my  determined  resolution,  with  the  forces 
under  my  command,  to  defend  this  fort  to  the  last  extremity,  in 


♦  See  Appendix,  No.  VI. 


;>..•, 


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j(i  till- 


•rv  !i''  loolvf  (.1  t'ui  I5rii!s!i   mii] 


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il'--'  i.i-  s(Hike  will'  (MViiihasi;-,  irj  per  JnMbt- 


i,t;iii''i--       ,i;  liiuU  111  iliis  r<!|»!v\\'ti<: '■*'!•(' 


VrT,    .Vlli' 


atrn 


jn'MT-^ 


•  iM-  l'ii.»\  iri''Ml   oihccrs    wi!'',  mi   i<oi.' 

tli'..   I'lVt-ats   ;)!.'  Ui"    Mil' >:viiui'i"\  \r<  1 0  at 

the  ilic     '■, 'I  '^iifi!   |M\-sNiiui'  (.'lorlsli   ''i- 


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h';    i'll'rxA 


^'^:\l\l^,  oil  luo: 


•  •      ■.  '     :     '     ••     li,;;-  to    :^'.i'-litill     th^' 

•  •       '1.''  i  ,  .'  •-.'     .'.  ;i: 

i.  i0.s>'(i     'M'  i  ■       ',,              ,       ■          •-  ,       .  :'.;•:    U   w'iO 

WM  ■.   .nth  hiuJ  hjiLili!  I"'  j <(■;■, \i,'tf.-l  ■    ■>'>•..         •   '••        f'  v.i  ^li.d-'d 

Hi     llu:    o:>.!-!-;  .;oit.    A-hlci,     !'.  .{tl;  s!      .-.MS    _;T.Ull  •  ■  .         .AlnJOf    AiK-IOOi 

'aIno  propo.seti  an  antiisiK.''^  lor  thvc  (.l.iys,  v,  j'tiii  was  hkcvj' 
ni:rr(H]  i.>  hy  (.'louel  (.'iaii'-:uvoorl— the  m^ru  fcacliiy.  in-ol.t'  v, 
heciii'se  oihis  scanty  .siipp;;/  oi  aainmnitiou. 

OfiUx'  9t)i  ol'  Ati'^-iist.  t  .'o!()iv;l  (.ianif'voort  havnur   f-:}!'-  ■• 
I'-  -■  ■  '.■'>;■,'.!    .Hiv  voil.i.i  n>i'S:' nif'-'- iVoM 'h'    f}c'"i*.h  ■. 

"  .  ■       •    "   ■       •"■.    ^1  :<  .:;:.(  i  -     ii'i'ltslii  ;/■  iJ'  u  iin'.n''    ■■  ■■     ".-as 
'.     »  VI    ;    '.     ■Hi:  .lOPVT'rv  oi' si.ii  h  a   nv'-v^.t ,'.••'!     ■"•  '  .■ 

'..'id  ht""i  iH'i-t< 'I  !it''-'M   f,'iU'j;(ii  faHi- I)-"-  ih.'   ?i"n,  ....       i,    , 
.."(lily  r-MM'WMUT  thc!  .suiiniiOhs  oi  a  .sunf.'ii'l''i'     •alHui!:'-,  iti;!^  tho 
JudiaMS  weic  horcuiiii!:  cvc'->!in'/!\'  iinn.^Mt  !■!.  on  !  \i  'hv  im'o- 
,.;'-isiiinv,  -ihun]  1    «■•'  fp'-<  f    '.  ;i;    i,-'m.-   woiiki  ho  aitoiu'lerl  with 
I    ly  f'i<;-!  .'.  t  N-'.  ,•■»(  ;•>  •,    !      :■  v  1)  the    gaiTlson,    l-.u!    ''     if*.'; 

wliitic  ■   ...n.',    ifM.r    ,'    ■ii.'i  k  ;ivi;r." 

Thi-:  v-i>ly  of  <'i'l<.t  .  '  liaii'-t". oi'it  '.\  *:••  wrMli-n  u  i'h  .soldi. "^  iV 
f....vi(v.  in  'lie  ior.)\V'n.>  w  M-.';   ... 


COl.-        \  V8RVl.Mf-si      ••^    (■■■" 


i  KUKU 


Pwri.   '    ■  ■;,!^i,  Au;^.  9f.h,  ITTT 


"'.Sru, 


"  }  onr  idler  of  lhi.s  "':,v".s  dn*.  ^  iiiive  V"''  'i^-vdj  iu  .aii.*^M'«  r  fo 
■>•'  if'h  1  sav,  thai  il  is  iiiv  deiciM,;  ned  vsoUiUoii,  willilhe  (Vines 
'  J'tev  mv  <;oauniUid,  to  ■'  (o.Vt  this  for*  u>  Ih  •  last  cxtrcnmy.  It^ 

♦  Hm  -Vitpriviix,  No.  \n. 


^ 


I 


1 


\  . 


I* 


1777.] 


SECRET    KXPKniTlON    OF    WILLIVrX. 


253 


behalf  of  tlic  United  Aiiiericaii  States,  who  have  placed  me 
here  to  defend  it  ao^ainst  all  their  enemies. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Sir, 

"  Your  most  oh't.  humble  serv't., 

"  Peter  Gansevoort, 
"  Col.  commanding  Fort  Schuyler. 
''  Gen.  Barry  St.  LegerT* 

Failing  in  these  attempts  to  induce  a  surrender,  the  besiegers, 
four  days  afterward,  had  recourse  to  another  expedient.  It 
was  the  issuing  of  an  appeal  to  the  inhabitants  of  Tryon 
County,  signed  by  Sir  John  Johnson,  Colonel  Claus,  and  Colo 
nel  John  Butler,  similar  in  its  tenor  to  the  verbal  and  written 
messages  of  St.  Leger  to  Colonel  Gansevoort.  The  appeal 
commenced  with  strong  protestations  of  a  desire  for  the  restora 
tion  of  peace,  with  a  promise  of  pardon,  and  oblivion  for  the 
past,  notwithstanding  the  many  and  great  injuries  the  signers 
had  received,  upon  a  proper  submission  by  the  people.  They, 
too,  were  threatened  with  the  ravages  of  a  victorious  army,  and 
the  resentment  of  the  Indians  for  the  losses  they  had  sustained 
at  Oriskany,  in  the  event  of  rejecting  this  appeal.  In  regard 
to  the  garrison  of  Fort  Schuyler,  its  longer  resistance  was  pro- 
nounced "  mulish  obstinacy,"  and  the  people  of  the  Mohawk 
Valley  were  urged  to  send  up  a  deputation  of  their  principal 
men,  to  oblige  the  garrison  to  do  at  once  what  they  must  be 
forced  to  do  soon — surrender.  If  they  did  not  surrender,  the 
threat  was  again  repeated  that  every  soul  would  be  put  to  death 
by  the  Indians.!  Messengers  were  despatched  with  this  docu- 
ment into  Tryon  County,  but  to  no  good  purpose  ;  while,  as 
will  soon  appear,  some  of  those  messengers  were  involved  in 
serious  difliculty  by  their  errand. 

But  if  Colonel  Willett's  success  in  the  brilliant  execution  of 
the  sortie  on  the  6th,  entitled  hin),  as  it  unquestionably  did,  to 
the  commendations  he  received,  a  still  more  perilous  enterprise, 
undertaken  by  him  a  few  days  afterward,  was  thought,  alike  by 
friends  and  foes,  to  entitle  him  to  still  greater  applause.     The 


■«■■ , 
W-. 


n. 


♦  Copied,  by  the  author,  from  the  original  draft,  found  among  tlie  Gansevoort 
papers. 

t  See  Appendijt,  No.  VII.  I  have  found  this  document  only  in  The  Rtmmr 
traiwer  for  1777,  page  451. 


2oi 


LIFF.    OF    nPAXT. 


i  i  I . 


artillery  of  the  besiegers  was  not  suilirieiitly  heavy  to  nial<c  any 
impression  upon  the  works,  and  there  was  every  probability  that 
the  ffarrisoii  initrjit  hold  out  until  succors  should  be  obtained, 
could  their  situation  be  made  known.  Colonel  Willett  was  not 
only  well  ac(juainted,  but  cxceediufrly  popular,  in  Tryon  Coun- 
ty ;  and  it  was  supposed  that,  should  he  show  himself  personally 
among  the  militia  of  that  district,  notwithstanding  the  extent  of 
their  sutTering  in  the  late  expedition,  he  might  yet  rally  a  force 
sufficient  to  raise  the  siege.  The  bold  project  was  therefore 
conceived  by  him  of  passing  by  night,  in  company  with  ano- 
ther officer,  through  the  enemy's  works,  and,  regardless  of  the 
danger  from  the  prowling  savages,  making  his  way  through 
some  forty  or  fifty  miles  of  sunken  morasses  and  pathless  woods, 
in  order  to  raise  the  Cotuity  and  bring  relief*  Selecting  Major 
Slockwell  for  his  companion.  Colonel  Willett  undertook  the 
expedition  on  the  lOth,  and  left  the  fort  at  ten  o'clock  that 
night,  each  armed  with  nothing  but  a  spear,  and  jirovided  only 
with  a  s;iiall  supply  of  crackers  and  cheese,  a  small  canteen  of 
spirits,  and  in  all  other  respects  unincumbered,  even  by  a 
blank'et.  Having  escaped  from  the  saliy-port,  they  crept  upon 
their  hands  and  knees  along  tlu!  edge  of  a  morass  to  the  river, 
which  they  crossed  by  crawling  over  upon  a  log,  and  succeeded 
in  ffctting  oil'  imperceived  by  the  sentinels  of  the  enemy, 
although  passing  very  near  to  them.  Their  first  advance  was 
into  a  deep-tangled  lorest  in  which,  enveloped  in  thick  darkness, 
they  lost  their  direction,  and  Ibmid  it  imjiossiblo  to  proceed. 
While  in  this  state  of  uncertainty,  the  barking  of  a  dog  added 
little  to  their  comfort,  inasmuch  as  it  ap|)rized  tli(>m  that  f  hey  were 
not  I'ar  from  a  new  Indian  encampment,  formed  snbse(iu(>nt 
to  the  sortie  a  few  days  before.  They  were  tberelbre  compelled 
to  stand  perlectly  still  for  several  hours,  and  until  the  morning 
star  appeared  to  guide  their  way.  SlrikinL''  hrsl  in  a  Northern  di- 
rection for  several  miles,  and  ihen  llastwardiv,  they  traced  a 
zig-zag  course,  occasiouiilly  adopting  the  Indian  method  of  con- 
cealing their  (rail  by  walking  in  the  channels  of  streams,  and 
by  stepping  on  stones  along  the  river's  edge.  In  this  way  they 
travelled  the  whole  of  (he  ensuing  day  without  making  a  single 
halt.     Ou  tho  approach  uf  night  thoy  durud  not  to  strike  n  light, 


k 


Britiih  Uni venal  Magazine. 


1777.] 


EXPEDITION    OP    ARNOLD. 


255 


i' 


Ivor, 

tied 

eniy, 

WilS 

less, 

cpcd. 

tided 

wero 

lent 

lied 

ning 

idi- 

(I  a 

•on- 

nnd 

liey 

n^rjo 

ght, 


but  lay  down  to  sleep,  interlocked  in  each  other's  arms.  Pur- 
suing their  journey  on  the  12th,  their  litde  stock  of  provisions 
being  exhausted,  they  fed  upon  raspberries  and  blackberries,  of 
which  they  found  an  abundance  in  an  opening  occasioned  by  a 
windfall.  Thus  refreshed,  they  pushed  forward  with  renewed 
vigor  and  at  an  accelerated  pace,  and  arrived  at  Fort  Dayton 
at  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.* 

The  Colonel  and  his  friend  received  a  hearty  welcome  from 
Colonel  Weston,  whose  regiment  was  then  in  charge  of  F"'ort 
Dayton,  and  from  whom  he  obtained  the  agreeable  intelligence 
that,  on  learning  the  news  of  General  Herkimer's  disaster,  Ge- 
neral Schuyler  had  ordered  Generals  Arnold  andLarned,  with 
the  Massachusetts  brigade,  to  march  to  the  relief  of  Colonel 
Gansevoort.  Colonel  Willett  thereupon  took  horse  immediately 
for  Albany  to  meet  General  Arnold,  wlio  was  to  command  the 
expedition  ;  and  in  four  days  afterward  accompanied  Arnold 
back  to  Fort  Dayton,  where  the  troops  were  assembling.  The 
first  New-York  regiment  had  been  added  to  the  brigade  of 
General  Larned,  who  was  yet  in  the  rear,  bringing  up  the  heavy 
bnffgajje  and  stores. 

During  Willett's  brief  abseu'.e  to  Albany,  an  incident  occur- 
red in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Dayton,  showing  that  if  he  had 
been  active  in  his  attempts  to  bring  succors  to  the  fort,  the  enemy, 
on  the  other  hand,  had  not  been  idle.  About  two  miles  above 
Fort  Dayton  resided  a  Mr.  Shoemaker,  a  disafTcctod  gentleman, 
who  had  been  in  his  Majesty's  commission  of  the  peace.  Hav- 
insr  heard  of  a  claiidoslinc  meeting  of  Tories  nt  the  house  of 
that  gentleman.  Colonel  Weston  despatched  a  detachment  of 
troops  thither,  which  came  upon  the  assemblage  by  surprise, 
and  took  them  all  prisoners.  Among  them  was  Lieutenant 
Waller  N.  Butler,  from  St.  liCger's  army,  who,  with  fourteen  white 
soldiers  and  the  same  number  of  Indians,!  had  visited  th(!  Gor- 
man Flatts  secretly,  with  the  appeal  of  Sir  John  Johnson, 
Clans,  and  the  older  Hutler,  referred  to  in  a  preceding  page,  for 
the  purpose  of  persuading  the  timid  and  (lisaHected  inliahitnnts 
to  abandon  the  Provincial  cause,  and  enrol  themselves  with  the 

•  "Si»  mK'co(«'<fiil  wii^  Colonfl  Willi'tt  ill  all  hini  movpiiif^ntK,  that  tlio  Iiidmnn,  be- 
liuvitiif  liiiit  to  111!  piiMMCMsud  ul'  Hii|)()i'iiutiii'ul  puvvur,  ^iivu  lu  liiin  tliu  natiM  ofllia 
I)o>il."— ruHi/ifcr//. 

t  The  RoniuiiibraiitTr  for  1777,  nnsr  mn. 

37 


\'k 


1  * 


256 


LIFE    OF    BKANT. 


[1777. 


I| 


King's  array  before  Fort  Schuyler.  Butler  was  in  the  midst 
of  his  harangue  to  the  meeting  at  the  moment  of  the  unwelcome 
surprise.  General  Arnold  ordered  a  court-martial,  and  caused 
him  to  be  tried  as  a  spy.*  Of  this  tribunal  Colonel  Willett 
officiated  as  Judge  Advocate.  The  Lieutenant  was  convicted, 
and  received  sentence  of  death  ;  but  at  the  intercession  of  a 
number  of  officers,  who  had  know::  him  while  a  student  at  law 
in  Albany,  his  life  was  spared  by  a  reprieve.  He  was,  however, 
removed  to  Albany  and  closely  imprisoned  until  the  Spring  of 
the  following  year.  When  General  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette 
assumed  the  command  of  the  Northern  department,  the  friends 
of  the  Butler  family,  in  consequence,  as  it  was  alleged,  of  his 
ill-health,  interceded  for  a  mitigated  form  of  imprisonment. 
He  was  then  removed  to  a  private  house  and  kept  under  guard, 
but  shortly  afterward  effiicted  his  escape — owing,  it  was  report- 
ed, to  treachery — and  was  subsequently  distinguished  as  one 
of  the  severest  scourges  of  the  beautiful  valley  which  had  given 
him  birth. 

The  address  of  Johnson,  Claus,  and  Butler,  having  been 
thus  introduced  among  the  people  of  the  County,  Arnold  issued 
a  proclamation  from  Fort  Dayton  for  the  purpose  of  counter- 
acting its  influence.  It  was  couched  in  severe  language  in  re- 
gard to  St.  Leger  and  his  heterogeneous  army — denounced 
those  of  the  people  who  might  bo  seduced  by  his  arts  to  enrol 
themselves  under  the  banner  of  the  king — but  promised  pardon 
to  all,  whether  Americans.  Savages,  Germans,  or  Britons,  who 
might  return  to  their  duty  to  the  States. t 

Meantime  Colonel  St.  Leger  was  pushing  his  operations  be- 
fore the  fort  with  considerable  vigor.  Every  effort  to  intimi- 
date the  garrison  having  failed,  and  the  commander  exhibiting 
an  imsubmitting  spirit,  St.  Leger  "  commenced  opproaching 
"  by  sap,  and  had  formed  two  parallels,  the  second  of  which 
"  brought  him  near  the  edge  of  the  glacis  ;  but  the  fire  of  nms- 
"  ketry  from  the  covert  way  rendered  his  farther  progress  very 
"  difficult."}  The  fire  of  his  ordnance  producing  no  effect,  his 
only  means  of  annoying  the  garrison  was  by  throwing  shells ; 

•  The  Rcmombriincor  ntntns  tlmt  Ilutirr  cnmo  "on  n  tnicci  to  thn  inhnliitant^  of 
Uio  Cuuiity."  Diit  if  ho  did  beur  u  Hag,  it  could  bo  no  prutectiuii  turiMcA  a  tniiaioa 
—as  it  wuii  not 

f  Sue  Aj.pttidiM,  No.  VIII,  t  Willott'»  Nnrrntivo. 


1777.] 


RAISING    OF    THE    STEUR. 


257 


'lis; 

itK  of 
iitiun 


k 


but  these  proved  of  so  little  consequence  as  to  afford  a  discou- 
raging prospect  of  success.  Having  advanced,  however,  within 
one  liundred  and  fifty  yards,  it  is  not  to  be  denied  that  some 
uneasiness  began  to  be  manifested  within  the  garrison.  Igno- 
rant of  the  fate  of  Colonel  Willett  and  Major  Stock  well,  and 
entirely  cut  off  from  all  communication  from  without,  their 
provisions  daily  exhausting,  and  having  no  certain  prospect  of 
relief,  some  of  the  officers  commenced  speaking  in  whispers  of 
the  expediency  of  saving  the  garrison  from  a  re-enactment  of 
the  Fort  William  Henry  tragedy,  by  acceding  to  St.  Leger's 
proffered  terms  of  capitulation.  Not  so  the  commander.  After 
weighing  well  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  he  came  to  the 
deliberate  resolve,  in  the  event  of  obtaining  no  succor  from  with- 
out, when  his  provisions  were  about  exhausted,  to  make  a  sally 
at  night,  and  cut  liis  way  through  the  encampment  of  the  be- 
siegers, or  perish  in  the  attcnjpt. 

Fortunately,  the  necessity  of  executing  the  bold  determina- 
tion did  not  arrive.  The  siege  had  continued  until  the  22d  of 
August,  when,  suddenly,  without  any  cause  within  the  know- 
ledge of  the  garrison,  the  besiegers  broke  up  their  encampment, 
and  retired  in  such  haste  and  confusion  as  to  leave  their  tents, 
together  with  a  great  part  of  their  artillery,  camp  equipage,  and 
baggage  behind.  What  was  the  motive  for  this  unexpected 
flight  of  a  vaunting  and  all  but  victorious  foe,  was  a  problem 
they  were  unable  to  solve  within  the  garrison,  althotigh  their 
joy  was  not,  on  that  account,  the  less  at  their  deliverance.  It 
subsequently  appeared  that  the  panic  which  produced  this  wel- 
come and  unexpected  change  in  the  situation  of  the  garrison, 
was  caused  by  a  rnsc-dc-i^iirrrc,  practised  upon  the  forces  ot 
St.  Leger  by  General  Arnold,  who  had  been  waiting  at  Fort 
Dayton  several  days  for  the  arrival  of  riMnforceinents  and  sup- 
plies.*    But,  having  heard  that  St.  Leger  had  made  his  ap- 

•  "I  wrofo  yon,  tlio  2l«t  instant,  from  Ciormin  Flutts,  tlmt  from  thobost  intelli- 
gi'iuio  I  could  proiiiro  of  Iho  unoniy's  strongtli,  it  was  riiiicli  superior  to  our'i  j  at 
tlio  aaino  timu  I  iiulo^ud  you  ii  copy  of  tlio  rcfulutiuns  of  a  council  of  war,  and  rn- 
qut'Htrd  yon  to  pcnd  nv?  n  ri'inforct'mpnt  of  onn  tlionsnnd  li^lit  froopn." — Letter  of 
tirnold  to  General  (Satet,  Aug  23,  1777. — "  I  hiivo  bctni  retarded  hy  tlio  badneiiR  of 
tho  roadi*,  waiting  for  aonut  ba^<i(ni;(!  and  ammunition,  and  for  tho  militia,  who  did 
not  turn  out  witli  liiol  spirit  wliicli  I  rxpiMtod.  'I'lu-y  aro  now  jdining  me  in  Rtoat 
nnmliera.     A  few  dnyM  will  rolicvo  you," — JWcS.  letter  from  ^niold  to  Colontt  Gantt' 


258 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1777. 


M 


I 


proaches  to  within  a  short  distance  of  the  fort,  Arnold,  on  the 
22d  of  August,  determined  at  all  events  to  push  forward  and 
hazard  a  battle,  rather  than  see  the  garrison  fall  a  sacrifice.* 
With  this  view,  on  the  morning  of  the  23d,  he  resumed  his 
march  for  Fort  Schuyler,  and  had  proceeded  ten  miles  of  the 
distance  from.  Fort  Dayton  when  he  was  met  by  an  express 
from  Colonel  Gansevoort,  with  the  gratifying  intelligence  that 
the  sicgfe  had  been  raised.  The  cause  of  this  sudden  movement 
was  yet  as  great  a  mystery  to  the  Colonel  and  his  garrison,  as 
was  the  flight  of  the  host  of  Ben-hadad  from  before  Samaria  to 
the  king  of  Israel,  when  the  Syrian  monarch  heard  the  super- 
natural sound  of  chariots,  and  the  noise  of  horses,  in  the  days 
of  Elisha  the  prophet.  Arnold  was,  of  course,  less  in  the  dark. 
The  circumstances  were  these  : — 

Among  the  party  of  Tories  and  Indians  captured  at  Shoe- 
maker's under  Lieutenant  Butler,  was  a  singular  being  named 
Hon- Yost  Schuyler.  His  place  of  residence  was  near  the 
Little  Falls,  where  his  mother  and  a  brother  named  Nicholas, 
were  then  residing.  Hon-Yost  Schuyler  was  one  of  the 
coarsest  and  most  ignorant  men  in  the  valley,  appearing  scarce 
half  removed  from  idiocy  ;  and  yet  there  was  no  small  sliare  of 
shrewdness  in  his  character.  Living  upon  the  extreme  border 
of  civilization,  his  associations  had  been  more  with  the  Indians 
tlian  the  whites  ;  and  tradition  avers  that  they  regarded  him 
with  that  mysterious  reverence  and  awe  with  which  they  are 
inspired  by  fools  and  lunatics.  Thus  situated  and  thus  con- 
stituted, Hon-Yost  had  partially  attached  himself  to  the  Royalist 
cause,  though  probably,  like  the  Cow-boys  of  West  Chester,  he 
really  cared  little  which  party  he  served  or  pkuidered ;  and 
had  he  been  the  captor  of  the  unfortunate  Andre,  would  have 
balanced  probabilities  as  to  the  best  way  of  turning  the  prize  to 
account.  He  these  things,  however,  as  they  may,  Hon-Yost 
was  captured,  with  Walter  Hutler,  and,  like  him,  was  tried  for 
his  life,  adjudged  gnilly,  and  condemned  to  death.  His  mother 
and  brother,  hearing  of  his  sittuition,  hastened  to  Fort  Dayton, 
ond  implored  General  Arnold  to  spare  his  life.  The  old  wo- 
man strongly  resembled  the  gipsey  in  lior  character,  and  the 
eloquence  and  pathos  with  which  she  pleaded  for  the  life  of  her 

•  Loiter  above  cited  from  Aritold  to  Qonoral  Oaten.    Vido  Remembrancer,  1777, 
pngc  441. 


H 


1777.] 


STORY    OF    IIOX-YO.ST    SCITUVLnU. 


259 


'ost 
for 
licr 
on, 
,vo- 
tlio 

?77, 


son,  were  long  remembered  in  the  unwritten  history  of  the 
Mohawic  VuUey.  Arnold  was  for  a  time  inexorable,  and  the 
woman  became  almost  frantic  with  grief  and  passion  on  account 
of  her  wayward  son.  Nicholas,  likewise,  exerted  himself  to  the 
utmost  in  belialf  of  his  brother.  At  length  General  Arnold 
proposed  terms  upon  which  his  life  should  be  spared.  The 
conditions  were,  that  Hon- Yost  should  hasten  to  Fort  Schuyler, 
and  so  alarm  the  camp  of  St.  Leger  as  to  induce  him  to  raise 
the  siege  and  fly.  The  convict-traitor  gladly  accepted  the 
proposition,  and  his  mother  offered  herself  as  a  hostage  for  the 
faithful  performance  of  his  commission.  Arnold,  however, 
declined  receiving  the  woman  as  a  hostage,  preferring  and  in- 
sisting that  Nicholas  should  be  retained  for  that  purpose.  To 
this  the  latter  readily  assented,  declaring  that  he  was  perfectly 
willing  to  pledge  his  life  that  IIon-Yost  would  fulfil  his  engage- 
ments to  the  utmost.  Nicholas  was,  therefore,  placed  in  con- 
finement, while  Hon-Yost  departed  for  the  camp  of  Colonel  St. 
Leger — having  made  an  arrangement  with  one  of  the  Oneida 
Indians,  friendly  to  the  Americans,  to  aid  him  in  the  enterprise. 
Before  his  departure  several  shots  were  fired  through  Schuyler's 
clothes,  that  ho  might  appear  to  have  had  a  narrow  escape  ;  and 
the  Oneida  Indian,  by  taking  a  circuitous  route  to  Fort  Schuy- 
ler, was  to  fall  into  the  enemy's  camp  from  another  direction, 
and  aid  IIon-Yost  in  creating  the  panic  desired.  The  emissary 
first  presented  himself  among  the  Indians,  who  were  in  a  very 
suitable  state  of  mind  to  be  wrought  upon  by  exactly  such  a 
personage.  They  had  been  moody  and  dissatisfied  ever  since 
the  buttle  of  Oriskany — neither  the  success  nor  the  plunder 
promised  them  had  been  won,  and  thoy  had  previously  received 
some  vague  and  ind(;fmite  intelligence  respecting  the  approach 
of  Arnold.  Tlicy  had  likewise  just  been  holding  a  pow-wow, 
or  were  actually  convened  in  one,  for  the  purpose  of  consulting 
the  Manitto  touching  the  dubious  enterprise  in  which  they 
were  engaged,  when  IIon-Yost  arrived.  Knowing  their  cha- 
racter well,  he  coinununcat(ul  his  intelligence  to  them  in  the 
most  mysterious  and  inijiosing  maimer.  Pointing  to  his  riddled 
garments,  he  pruved  to  them  how  narrow  had  been  liis  escape 
from  the  approaching  army  of  the  rebels.  When  asked  the 
number  of  the  troops  that  A  "Mold  was  leading  against  them, 
ho  shook  his  head  mysteriously,  and  pointed  upward  to  the 


i  i 


i  Jl 


!«        .< 


260 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1777. 


leaves  of  the  trees.  The  reports  spread  rapidly  through  the 
camps,  and  reaching  the  ears  of  the  commander,  Hon-Yost  was 
sent  for  to  the  tent  of  St.  Leger  himself.  Here  he  was  inter- 
rogated, and  gave  information  that  General  Arnold,  with  two 
thousand  men,  was  so  near  that  he  would  be  upon  them  within 
twenty-four  hours.  He  gave  St.  Leger  a  pitiable  narrative  of 
his  captivity,  trial,  and  condemnation  to  the  gallows.  It  was 
while  on  his  way  to  execution,  as  he  alleged,  that,  finding  him- 
self not  very  closely  guarded,  he  took  an  opportunity  to  effect 
his  escape — thinking,  at  the  worst,  that  he  could  only  die,  and 
it  would  be  as  well  to  be  shot  as  hanged.  A  shower  of  bullets 
had  indeed  been  let  fly  at  him,  but  fortunately  had  only  wound- 
ed his  clothes,  as    the  General 


might 


see. 


Meantime  the 

Oneida  messenger  arrived  with  a  belt,  and  confirmed  to  the  In- 
dians all  that  Schuyler  had  said  ;  adding,  that  the  Americans 
had  no  desire  to  injure  the  Indians,  and  were  intent  only  upon 
attacking  the  British  troops  and  rangers.  While  making  his 
way  to  the  camp  of  the  besiegers,  the  ingenious  Oneida  had 
fallen  in  with  some  two  or  three  straggling  Indians  of  his  ac- 
quaintance, to  whom  he  communicated  his  business,  and  whose 
assistance  in  furthering  the  design  he  engaged.  These  saga- 
cious fellows  dropped  into  the  Indian  camp  at  difl!brent  points, 
and  threw  out  alarming  suggestions — shaking  their  heads 
niysterionsly,  and  insinuating  that  a  bird  had  brought  them  in- 
telligence of  great  moment.f  They  spoke  of  warriors  in  great 
numbers  advancing  rapidly  upon  them,  and  used  every  indirect 
method  of  infusing  a  panic  into  the  minds  of  the  listeners  who 
gathered  around  them.  The  Indians  presently  began  to  give 
signs  of  decamping,  and  St.  Leger  assayed  in  vain  to  reassure 
them.  He  convened  a  council  of  their  chiefs,  hoping  that  by 
the  influence  of  Sir  John  Johnson,  and  Colonels  Clans  and 
Butler,  he  should  still  be  able  to  retain  them.  Other  re- 
ports, of  a  yet  more  terrifying  tendency,  getting  afloat,  not  only 
among  the  India.is  but  in  the  other  camp,  the  former  declared 
that  "  the  pow-wow  said  they  nnist  go  ;"  and  a  portion  of  them 
took  their  departure  before  the  conncil  broke  up.  The  result 
was  a  general  and  precipitate  flight.     It  has  been  stated,  that  in 


♦  Rmnonihrnnror,  for  1777 — p.  417-413. 

t  Travels  of  President  Dwialiti  vol.  iii.  p.  1D5-107. 


1777.] 


MERRIMENT    OF    THE    INDIANS. 


2G1 


the  commencement  of  the  retreat  the  Indians  made  tliemselves 
merry  at  the  expense  of  their  white  allies,  by  raising  a  shout 
that  the  Americans  were  upon  them,  and  then  laughing  at  the 
groundless  terror  thus  created.*  According  to  the  account  de- 
rived by  Gordon  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kirkland,  an  altercation 
took  place  between  Colonel  St.  Leger  and  Sir  John  Johnson,  the 
forr  ^er  reproaching  the  latter  with  the  defection  of  the  Indians, 
while  the  Baronet  charged  his  commander  with  but  an  indif- 
ferent prosecution  of  the  siege.  It  was  in  the  gray  of  twilight, 
when  a  couple  of  sachems,  standing  upon  a  little  eminence  not 
far  in  the  rear,  and  overhearing  the  interchange  of  sharp  words 
between  them,  put  an  end  to  the  unpleasant  colloquy  by  raising 
the  shout — ^^  they  are  coming! — they  are  coming  T  Both 
St.  Leger  and  Sir  John  recommenced  their  retreat  with  all 
possible  expedition  upon  hearing  such  an  alarm.  Their  troops 
were  equally  nimble  of  foot  on  the  occasion,  throwing  away 
their  knapsacks  and  arms,  and  disc»  mbering  themselves  of 
every  hindrance  to  the  quick-step  ;  while  the  Indians,  enjoying 
the  panic  and  confusion,  repeated  the  joke  by  the  way  \mtil 
they  arrived  at  the  Oneida  Lake.  It  is  believed,  however,  that 
it  was  not  the  Americans  alone  of  whom  St.  Leger  began  to 
stand  in  fear,  being  quite  as  apprehensive  of  danger  from  his 
ow;i  dusky  allies  as  he  was  of  the  approaching  army  of  Arnold. 
There  is  British  authority  for  stating  that  the  Indians  actually 
plundered  several  of  the  boats  belonging  to  their  own  army, 
robbing  the  officers  of  whatsoever  they  liked.  Within  a  few 
miles  of  the  camp,  they  first  stripped  off  the  arms,  and  afterward 
murdered,  with  their  own  bayonets,  all  those  British,  German, 
and  American  soldiers  who  were  separated  from  the  main 
body.t  Thus  were  the  threats  of  savage  vengeance  sent  by 
Colonel  St.  Leger  to  the  garrison,  in  some  degree  wreaked 


♦  Travels  of  President  Dwiglit,  vol.  iii,  p.  195-197. 

t  British  Universftl  Mngaiino.  Indeed,  St.  Legcr's  report  of  this  disastrous  re- 
treat, addressed  to  fienernl  Burgoyne  from  Oswego,  on  the  27th  of  August,  cor- 
responds very  closely  with  the  American  accounts  whence  the  present  narrotive  has 
been  drawn.  He  ntutes  that  the  Indians  fell  treaclicrously  upon  their  friends,  and 
became  more  formidable  than  the  enemy  they  had  to  expect.  He  leaves  no  room, 
however,  to  suppose  that  there  was  any  difficulty  between  Sir  Joiin  Jnhnson  nx\>\ 
himself— colling  him  "  his  galiont  coadjutor,"  &c.  and  commending  his  exertions  to 
induce  the  Indians  again  to  meet  the  enemy,  as  also  t!ioso  of  Colonels  Glaus  and 
Butler. 


262 


LIFE    OK    BRANT. 


[1777. 


I'    '         I 


upon  his  own  army.  Hon-Yost  Schuyler  accompanied  the 
flying  host  to  the  estuary  of  Wood  Creek,  where  he  deserted, 
threading  his  way  back  to  Fort  Schuyler  the  same  evening — 
imparting  to  Colonel  Gansevoort  his  first  information  of  the 
advance  of  Arnold.*  From  Fort  Schuyler,  Hon-Yost  proceeded 
back  to  the  German  Flatts.  On  presenting  himself  at  Fort 
Dayton,  his  brother  was  discharged,  to  the  inexpressible  joy  of 
his  mother  and  their  relatives.  But  he  proved  a  Tory  in  grain, 
and  embraced  the  first  opportunity  subsequently  presented, 
which  was  in  October,  of  running  away  to  the  enemy,  with 
several  of  his  neighbors,  and  attaching  himself  to  the  forces  of 
Sir  John  Johnson,  t 

Immediately  on  the  receipt  of  Colonel  Gansevoort's  despatch 
announcing  St.  Leger's  retreat,  General  Arnold  pushed  for- 
ward a  detachment  of  nine  hundred  men,  with  directions,  if 
possible,  to  overtake  the  fugitives,  and  render  their  flight  still 
more  disastrous.  On  the  day  following,  Arnold  himself  arrived 
at  the  fort,  where  he  was  received  with  a  salute  of  artillery  and 
the  cheers  of  the  brave  garrison.  He,  of  course,  found  that 
Gansevoort  had  anticipated  his  design  of  harassing  the  rear  of 
the  flying  enemy,  and  had  brought  in  several  prisoners,  together 
with  large  quantities  of  spoil.!  So  great  was  their  panic,  and 
such  the  precipitancy  of  their  flight,  that  they  left  their  tents 
standing,  their  provisions,  artillery,  ammunition,  their  entire 
camp  equipage,  and  large  quantities  of  other  articles  enhancing 
the  value  of  the  booty.§ 

Thus  ended  the  siege  of  Fort  Schuyler,  or  Fort  Stanwix,  as 
the  public  have  always  preferred  calling  it.  St.  Leger  hastened 
with  his  scattered  forces  back  to  Oswego,  and  thence  to  Mon- 
treal. From  that  post  he  proceeded  to  Lake  Champlain,  pass- 
ing up  the  same  to  Ticonderoga,  for  the  purpose  of  joining  the 
army  of  Burgoyne.  Finding  that  the  enemy  had  evacuated  the 
country  between  the  fort  and  Lake  Ontario,  and  that  the  post 
could  be  in  no  immediate  danger  from  that  direction,  Colonel 

•  Letter  of  Colonel  Gansevoort  to  General  Arnold. 

t  After  the  close  of  the  cont»st,  Hon-Yost  returned  to  the  Mohawk  Valley,  and 
resided  there  until  his  death — which  event  occurred  ahout  twenty  years  since. 

I  Letter  of  Arnold  to  General  Gates,  Aug.  24,  1777. 

§  Among  other  articles  was  the  escritoire  of  St  Leger  himself,  containing  his  pri- 
Tnte  papers,  several  of  which  have  been  used  by  the  author  in  writing  this  and  the 
preceding  chapters. 


1777.] 


PHO:,IOTIOX    OK    ti.VNSi;V001lT. 


2G3 


and 


Gansevoort  took  tlie  opportunity  of  visiting  liis  friends  at  Alba- 
ny, and  at  the  seat  of  the  State  government,  then  just  organised 
at  Kingston.  His  reception  was  most  cordial,  as  appears  not 
only  from  contemporaneous  accounts,  but  from  the  following 
modest  address  to  his  fellow-soldiers  of  the  garrison,  his  re- 
turn to  resume  his  command : — 

"  I  should  be  wanting  in  justice  to  you,  if  I  did  not  give  some 
testimony  of  your  good  conduct  during  the  time  you  have  been 
in  this  garrison,  and  especially  while  we  were  besieged  by  the 
onemy.  Believe  me,  that  I  am  impressed  with  a  proper  sense 
of  the  behavior  by  which  you  have  done  essential  service  to 
your  country,  and  acquired  immortal  lionor  to  yourselves. 
Nothing  can  equal  the  pleasure  I  have  experienced  since  my 
absence,  in  hearing  and  receiving  the  public  approbation  of  our 
country  for  our  services,  which  is,  and  must  be,  to  every  sol- 
dier, a  full  and  ample  compensation  for  the  same.  Permit  me 
to  congratulate  you  upon  the  success  of  the  American  arms, 
both  to  the  Southward  and  Northward.  Every  day  terminates 
with  victory  to  America  ;  and  I  make  not  the  least  doubt,  but 
in  this  campaign  we  shall  eftectually  establish  the  Indepen- 
dence of  the  United  States,  and  thereby  secure  to  ourselves  the 
rights  and  liberties  for  which  we  liave  so  nobly  stood  forth."* 

As  an  evidence  of  the  value  placed  upon  the  services  of  the 
Colonel  in  the  defence  of  Fort  Schuyler,  he  was  shortly  after- 
ward promoted  in  the  State  line  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier  Gene- 
ral, while  his  gallantry  was  farther  rewarded  by  a  Colonel's 
commission  from  Congress  in  the  army  of  the  United  States.! 


♦  Copied  by  the  author  from  the  original  manuscript.  It  was  filed  away  among 
tlio  Colonel's  papers,  with  the  following  inscription  : — "  A  laconic  address  to  my  fel- 
low officers  and  soldiers  after  our  success  at  Fort  Stanwix." 

t  There  seems  to  have  been  something  peculiar  and  special  in  this  commission. 
In  a  U'tler  which  Colonel  Gansevoort  wrote  jointly  to  William  Dncr  and  Gouver- 
ncur  Morris,  a  copy  of  which  is  preserved  amon^  his  papers,  ho  oliservcs: — "Con- 
gress have  done  metlie  honor  of  appointing  me  Colonel  Commandant  of  Fort  Schuy- 
ler. 1  should  esteem  it  os  a  favor  if  you  would  inform  me  whether  I  am  to  receive 
any  pay  for  that  commission,  other  than  as  Colont  1  of  the  third  regiment  of  New- 
Yorkers  ;  and  if  not,  I  should  be  glad  if  you  would  endeavor  to  get  something  al- 
lowed me,  as  my  present  pay  will  not  reimburse  my  table  lifpmrs,  which  you  mny 
well  conceive  to  be  someihing  considerable  as  commanding  ollicer.  I  am  not  solici- 
tous to  make  money  by  my  commi-tsion  ;  but  I  co\dd  wish  not  to  sink  by  it,  as  I  am 
rblii;ed  to  do  now.  The  conmiission  which  Congress  bus  sent  mo  a.t  commandant 
of  Fort  Hclutyltr,  subjects  mo  as  much  to  the  command  of  my  superior  officers,  as 

38 


J'f 


if'!^ 


264 


LIFE    OF    BKANT. 


[1777. 


On  leaving  his  regiment,  its  officers  presented  him  with  an  af- 
fectionate letter  of  congratulation  on  his  promotion,  mingled 
with  an  expression  of  their  regret  at  the  loss  to  the  regiment  of 
"  so  worthy  a  patron."  To  which  the  Colonel  returned  an 
appropriate  letter  of  thanks.*  The  people  of  Tryon  County 
were  of  course  rejoiced,  that  the  blow,  directed,  as  the  enemy 
supposed,  with  unerring  certainty  against  them,  had  been  avert- 
ed. They  had  suffered  severely  in  the  campaign ;  but  there 
were  enough  of  her  sons  yet  left  to  swell  the  ranks  of  General 
Gates  not  a  little ;  and  they  pressed  ardently  to  join  his  standard, 
although  circumstances  did  not  then  require  them  long  to  re- 
main in  the  field. 

In  October  following,  when  Sir  Henry  Clinton  was  ascending 
the  Hudson  for  the  purpose  either  of  succoring,  or  of  co-ope- 
rating with,  Burgoyne,  Colonel  Gansevoort  was  ordered  to 
Albany  by  General  Gates,  to  take  command  of  the  large  force 
then  concentrating  at  that  place.  Happily,  as  will  appear  in 
the  succeeding  chapters,  there  was  no  occasion  to  test  his 
prowess  in  his  new  and  temporary  command. 

any  former  one.    If  that  was  the  intention  of  Congress,  the  appointment  is  nugatory. 
If  not,  I  wish  Congress  to  alter  the  commission." 

*  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  address  referred  to  in  the  text : — "Honored  Sir . 
From  a  just  sense  of  that  conduct  wiiich  lias  hitherto  been  so  conspicuously  shown 
to  advance  the  third  New- York  regiment  to  honor  and  nuljjic  notice,  we  congratu- 
late you  that  those  characteristics  which  so  eminently  pciiii  out  the  gentleman  and 
soldier,  have  by  your  personal  bravery  been  deservedly  noticed  by  our  bleeding  coun- 
try. Although  we  rejoice  at  your  promotion,  yet  we  cannot  but  regret  the  loss  of  so 
M'orlhy  a  patron.  That  the  prosperity  which  has  crowned  your  conduct  with  victory 
may  still  be  continued,  is  the  sincere  wish  and  prayer  of,  honored  Sir,  your  most 
obedient  and  very  humble  servants."  It  was  signed  by  twenty-six  officers.  Colonel 
Gansevoort  replied  as  follows: — "Gentlemen:  Your  polite  address  on  my  promo- 
tion merits  my  sincerest  thanks.  Gratitude,  I  hope,  shall  never  be  wanting  in  n)e 
to  the  third  N.  Y.  regiment,  who  have,  by  their  firmness  and  discipline,  been  the 
chief  authors  of  my  promotion.  Therefore,  Gentlemen,  please  to  accept  my  warmest 
wishes  for  the  prosperity  of  the  corps,  that  all  their  virtuous  endeavors  in  the  defence 
of  their  bleeding  country  may  be  crowned  with  honor  and  success,  which  will  always 
be  the  earnest  prayer  of,  Gentlemen,  your  must  obliged,  humble  servant." 


r  f 


CHAPTER  XII. 


1 


Recurrence  to  the  invasion  of  Burgoync — General  Schuyler  again  superseded  by 
Gates — Causes  of  tliis  injustice — Battle  of  Sliliwater — Both  armies  entrench — 
Battle  and  victory  of  Buhinus's  Heights — Funeral  of  Genenil  Frnzur — Retreat  of 
Burgoyne — Difficulties  increasing  upon  him — His  capitulation — Meeting  of  Bur- 
goync and  Gates — Deportment  of  Gates  toward  Gen.  Washington — Noble  con- 
duct of  General  Schuyler. 

TnK  temporary  pacification  of  tho  Western  part  of  the 
State,  resulting  from  the  events  of  which  we  liave  just  closed 
the  narrative,  affords  an  opportunity  for  recurring  to  tlie  inva- 
sion of  Burgoyne,  who  was  left  in  the  mid  career  of  victory, 
checked,  it  is  true,  by  unexiiectcd  and  increasing  difliculties, 
until  brought  to  a  stand  by  the  serious  affair  of  Bennington, 
heretofore  incidentally  disposed  of.  On  shifting  the  scene, 
Iiowever,  from  tlie  head  waters  of  the  Mohawk  to  the  upper 
districts  of  the  Hudson,  General  Gates  is  again  found  in  com- 
mand of  the  Northern  Department — General  Schuyler,  to 
whose  wise  measures  and  indefatigable  exertions  the  country 
was  mainly  indebted  for  arresting  tho  progress  of  Burgoyne, 
and  during  whose  command  the  victory  of  Bennington  had 
been  won  by  General  Stark — having  been  most  unjustly  su- 
perseded by  express  resolution  of  Congress.  There  had,  during 
the  present  year,  been  a  very  imwise,  unworthy,  and  capricious 
interference,  on  the  part  of  Congress,  with  the  command  of  this 
department.  On  the  25th  of  March,  witiiout  a  reason  assigned, 
General  Gates  had  superseded  (Jeneral  Schuyler,  his  superior 
officer,  by  order  of  Congress  ;  and  on  tlic  22d  of  May,  without 
any  expressed  motive.  General  Scln^ylcr  was  restored  to  the 
command  of  that  departmont.*  Again,  on  the  1st  of  August,  it 
was  resolved  by  Congress  that  General  Schuyler  should  repair 
to  head-quarters,  while  tlic  Commander-in-chief  wrs,  by  the 
same  resolution,  directed  to  order  such  general  officer  as  he 
should  think  proper,  to  assume  the  conmiand  in  Schuyler's 
place.  T'he  day  after  the  passage  of  tliat  resolution,  General 
Washington  received  a  letter  from  the  New  England  delegation 
in  Congress,  suggesting  the  name  of  General  Gates,  as  the  oiH- 


•  Memoirs  of  General  Wilkinson,  vol.  i.  p.  IGS. 


fl      ll         r7Ji^~--^=- 


266 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1  — ^« 
U  t  t 


m 


ii  . 


I  1 


r    1 


eer  who  would  be  most  likely  to  restore  harmony,  order,  and 
discipline,  and  to  relieve  our  allairs  in  that  qnarter.*  We  have, 
in  a  former  chapter,  referred  to  the  prejudices  existing  against 
General  Schuyler,  and  the  causes  of  them.  These  had  now 
become  so  strong,  and  the  Eastern  States,  in  particular,  were 
so  hostile  to  his  longer  continuance  in  the  command,  that  even 
his  friends  acquiesced  in  the  expediency,  though  not  in  the 
justice,  of  his  removal. t  General  Schuyler  himself,  however,  felt 
acutely  the  discredit  of  being  recalled  at  the  most  critical  and 
interesting  period  of  the  campaign  ;  when  the  labor  and  activity 
of  making  preparations  to  repair  the  disasters  of  it  had  been 
expended  by  him  ;  and  when  an  opportunity  was  offered,  as  he 
observed,  for  that  resistance  and  retaliation  which  might  bring 
glory  upon  our  arms.t 

The  Commander-in-chief  paid  no  heed  to  the  advisory  epistle 
from  the  New  England  delegates,  but  in  a  respectful  letter  to 
the  President  of  Congress,  declined  the  honor  of  makins:  the 
selection. §    Had  he  not  thus  excused  himself,  it  is  not  presump- 

+  Sparks's  Life  and  Cor.  of  Washington,  vol.  v.  p.  14.  The  original  of  this  letter 
to  Washington  is  in  the  hand-writing  of  Samuel  Adams,  and  is  signed  by  the  fol- 
lowing names,  in  the  order  in  which  they  here  stand,  viz :  John  Adams,  Nathaniel 
Folsom,  Samuel  Adams,  Henry  Marchant,  Elbridge  Gerry,  Eliphalet  Dyer,  Wil- 
liam Williams. 

t  Marshall. 

J  Address  of  Chancellor  Kent  before  the  New- York  Historical  Society,  Dec.  1823. 
The  calumnies  directed  against  St.  Clair  and  Schuyler,  in  regard  to  the  fall  of  Ticon- 
deroga,  were  so  gross  as  to  exceed  belief  in  their  propagation.  These  officers  were  de- 
nounced as  traitors  to  the  country,  acting  in  concert  with  the  enemy,  and  the  ignorant 
and  credulous  were  led  to  be'ieve  that  they  had  received  an  immense  treasure  in  silver 
balls,  fired  by  Burgoyne  into  St.  Clair's  camp,  and  by  his  order  picked  up,  and  trans*- 
mitted  to  Schuyler  at  Fori  George.  Wilkinson,  who  was  Gates's  Adjutant  General, 
avers  that  resprctable  people  questioned  him  with  much  gravity  as  to  the  fact ! 
These  slanders  were,  for  factious  purposes,  countenanced  by  respectable  men,  and 
the  consequence  was,  general  defection  and  desertion,  in  the  early  part  of  the  Summer, 
so  that,  at  one  time,  the  Northern  army  was  reduced  to  less  than  three  thousand, 
and  the  militia  to  less  than  thirteen  hundred — and  these  subject  to  no  effectual  re- 
straint. 

§  "At  the  same  time  that  I  express  my  thanks  for  the  high  mark  of  confidence 
which  Congress  has  been  pleased  to  repose  in  me  by  their  resolve,  authorising  me  to 
send  an  oflicer  to  command  the  Northern  army,  I  should  wish  to  be  excused  from 
making  the  appointment.  For  this,  many  reasons  might  be  mentioned,  which,  I  am 
persuaded,  will  occur  to  Congress  on  reflection.  The  Northern  lepartment  in  a 
great  measure  has  been  considered  a?  separate,  and  more  peculiarly  under  their  di- 
rection ;  and  the  oflirers  commanding  there  always  under  their  nomination.  I  have 
never  interfered  farther  than  merely  to  advise,  and  to  give  such  aids  as  wcro  within 


^ 


.in. 


1777.] 


BURGOYNE  S    CAMPAIGN'. 


2G7 


tion  to  intimate,  that,  influenced  by  the  peculiar  attitude  which 
Gates  had  even  then  begun  to  assume,  and  acting,  as  Washing- 
ton ever  did,  under  the  stern  behests  of  conscience,  he  would 
have  made  a  different  selection  from  that  proposed  to  him  by 
the  Eastern  representatives,  and  which  ultimately  prevailed. 

General  Gates,  however,  did  not  join  the  Northern  army 
until  the  19th  of  Augfust ;  and  as  the  time  was  not  specified 
within  which  he  was  required  to  report  himself  at  head-quar- 
ters, General  Schuyler  was  allowed  to  remain  at  the  North, 
with  the  approbation  both  of  Congress  and  the  Commander-in- 
chief,  until  after  the  campaign  had  been  closed  by  the  surren- 
der of  the  British  commander  and  his  army.  Nor  were  his 
exertions  the  less  active,  or  his  counsels  the  less  freely  proffered, 
in  the  cause  of  his  country,  because  of  the  injustice  by  which 
his  pride  had  been  wounded.* 

After  the  evacuation  of  Fort  Edward,t  as  mentioned  in  a 
former  chapter.  General  Schuyler  fell  down  the  river  to  Still- 
water, on  the  3d  of  August,  and  began  to  entrench  his  camp 
there  on  the  4th.  Burgoyne's  ill-conceived  expedition  to  Ben- 
nington, under  Colonel  Baum,  deprived  him  of  one-sixth  of  his 
effective  force  on  the  16th.  It  was  not  until  near  a  month 
afterward,  during  which  period  the  American  army  had  been 
greatly  strengthened  at  Stillwater,  that  Burgoyne  was  again 
prepared  to  advance.  Having  at  length,  by  dint  of  almost  in- 
credible labor,  brought  up  from  Fort  George  a  supply  of  pro- 
visions for  thirty  days,  and  thrown  a  bridge  of  boats  over  the 
Hudson,  the  British  commander  with  his  army  crossed  on  the 
13th  and  14th  of  September,  and  encamped  on  the  heights  and 
plains  of  Saratoga.  On  the  night  of  the  17th,  Burgoyne  en- 
camped within  four  miles  of  the  American  army  ;  and  about 

my  power,  on  the  requisitions  of  those  officers.  The  present  situation  of  that  depart- 
ment is  delicate  and  critical,  and  the  choice  of  an  officer  to  tlie  command  may  in- 
volve very  interesting  and  important  consequences." — Letter  of  Washington  to  the 
President  of  Congress,  Jlug.  3,  1777. 

♦  "The  zeal,  patiiotism,  perseverance,  and  salutary  arrangements  of  General 
Schuyler,  had  roused  the  spirit  of  (he  country,  and  vanquished  the  prejudices  excited 
against  him  by  artifice,  intrigue,  and  detraction." — Wilkinson^ s  Memoirs. 

t  It  was  during  a  skirmish  before  Fort  Edward,  when  the  Americans  were  flying 
from  a  party  of  thirty  or  forty  Indians,  that  the  late  General  Matthew  Claikson,  of 
New- Yrrk— then  Major  Clarkson  uad  aid  to  General  Arnold — was  wounded  by  a 
ball  which  passed  through  the  mufevular  integuments  of  the  throat.  The  wound  was 
supposed  to  be  fatal  at  the  time,  but  he  soon  recovered 


'  i 


k 


m 


fi    } 


268 


Lirn  OF  niiAXT. 


[1777. 


noon  on  the  19th,  advanced  in  full  force  against  it — the  latter 
having,  in  the  mean  time,  advanced  toward  the  enemy  three 
miles  above  Stillwater.  Burgoyne  commanded  his  right  wing 
in  person,  covered  by  General  Frazer  and  Colonel  Breyman, 
with  the  grenadiers  and  light-infantry,  who  were  posted  along 
some  hiffh  cronnds  on  tlie  risrlit.  Tlie  front  and  flanks  were 
covered  by  Indians,  Provincials,  and  Canadians.  Tlie  enemy's 
left  wing  and  artillery  were  commanded  by  Generals  Phillips 
and  Riedesel,  who  proceeded  along  the  great  road.  Colonel 
Morgan,  who  was  detached  to  observe  their  motions,  and  to 
harass  them  as  they  advanced,  soon  fell  in  with  their  pickets 
in  advance  of  their  right  wing,  attacked  them  sharply  and 
drove  them  in.  A  strong  corps  was  immediately  detached  by 
the  enemy  against  Morgan,  who,  after  a  brisk  engagement,  was 
in  turn  compelled  to  give  way.  A  regiment  being  ordered  to 
the  assistance  of  Morgan,  whose  riflemen  had  been  sadly  scat- 
tered by  the  vigor  of  the  attack,  the  battle  was  renewed  at  about 
one  o'clock,  and  was  maintained  with  spirit,  though  with  occa- 
sional pauses,  for  three  hours — the  connnanders  on  both  sides 
supporting  and  reinforcing  their  respective  parties.  By  four 
o'clock  the  battle  became  general,  Arnold,  with  nine  Continen- 
tal regiments  and  Morgan's  corps,  having  completely  engaged 
the  whole  right  wing  of  the  enemy.*  The  contest,  accidentally 
commenced,  in  the  first  instance,  now  assumed  the  nmst  obsti- 
nate and  determined  chararti.'r.  It  was  maintained  four  horns 
longer — the  soldiers  being  often  c.igaged  hand  to  hand.  The 
approach  of  niglit  terminated  the  battle — the  Americans  retreat- 
ing to  their  encampment,  but  not  from  other  necessity  than 
the  darkness.  The  t>nemy  were  provided  with  artillery,  but 
the  ground  occupied  by  the  Americans  would  not  allow  the 

•  Vlolmns,  who  follows  Stcdmnn.  Ornnrnl  Wilkinson  denies  Hint  Ainold  olmrrd 
much  in  tliis  Imtlli!.  lIoHnyB: — "Not  a  Rinuli!  "cneinl  olliccr  wub  on  tho  fidd  of 
bulllo  on  tli(!  l!Jlli,  until  nvcninit,  wli<'n  Ocncnil  Liirnid  wim  ordcnd  out.  About 
the  mirnd  liuif  (Ji  iiciuin  ( iatcH  and  Arniild  were  in  fiont  of  tlio  «'('nlro  of  tlir  camp, 
li-^tcnints  to  the  poni  of  small  nrins,  when  Colontl  Morpnn  Lrwin,  deputy  qunrtcr- 
mastnr  GencrnI,  leliiined  from  llie  llild,  and  licinjf  i]ue»tione(l  by  flu)  CJenirai,  ho 
re|iorted  the  undeciMivc'  proirrexN  of  llu)  action — at  wliieli  Arnold  exelaimed,  '  liy  G— 
/  i(<(7/  put  an  md  to  it,''  and  ('lap|)ini>  xpnrN  to  liin  lioiNe,  iialloped  otf  ut  full  oppcd. 
Colonel  Lewis  iiutiKMliately  oliserved  to  Oencral  Gates,  '  \o\\  had  better  order  him 
buek,  the  action  is  poinj;  well,  and  ho  may  by  some  riiHh  act  <lo  mischief,*  |  was 
instantly  des|)atclied,  uvorloolt,  and  rcmaiidud  Arnold  to  camp." — ,Vn\tuiri,  vU,  U 
Chap,  vi. 


lii 


1777.] 


BURGOYNE  S    CAMPAIGN. 


2G9 


gngcd 

dentally 

t  obsti- 

liours 

The 

rctrcat- 

ty  tliiiu 

ly,  but 

o\v  the 

old  olinrrd 

III)  fit  Id  uf 

About 

the  ctiiiip, 

qiiiirtrr- 
iiMxnd,  lio 

'  by  G— 

full  H|)fi>d. 

ordiT  him 
('•  I  wns 
wirs,  viA,  u 


use  of  field-pieces.  The  fluctnations  of  the  battle  were  frequent 
during  the  day,  and  althougli  the  British  artillery  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  Americans  at  every  alternate  charge,  the  latter 
could  neither  turn  tliem  upon  the  enemy  nor  bring  them  off. 
"  The  wood  prevented  the  last,  and  the  want  of  a  match  the 
"first,  as  the  lint-stock  was  invariably  carried  away,  and  the 
"rapidity  of  the  transitions  did  not  allow  the  Americans  time 
"  to  provide  one."* 

General  Wilkinson,  at  that  time  Adjutant  General,  wfio  was 
himself  in  the  bfitllc,  and  whose  account  of  it  is  the  best 
tliat  has  brcn  written,  sustains  the  remark  made  above,  that  the 
engagenient  was  perfectly  accidental  ;  neither  of  the  opposing 
Generals  meditating  an  attack  at  that  time,  and  yet,  by  a  mu- 
tual misconception  ot'eacii  other's  purposes,  they  were  kept  the 
whole  day  actinp"  upon  the  defensive  ;  coiiliuing  themselves  to 
the  groiuid  occupied  at  first  by  acciilent,  "and  neither  attempt- 
"  ing  a  single  manoeuvre  during  one  of  the  longest,  warmest, 
"  and  most  obstinate  battles  fought  in  America.  General  Gates 
"  believed  that  his  antagonist  intended  to  attack  him,  and  cir- 
"cumstances  seemed  to  justify  the  like  conclusion  on  the  part 
"  of  Burgoyne  ;  and,  as  the  thickness  and  depth  of  an  inter- 
"  vening  wood  concealed  the  position  and  movements  of  either 
•'  army  from  its  adversary,  sound  caution  obliged  the  respective 
"  eommanders  to  guard  every  assailal)le  point.  I  fad  either  of 
"the  Generals  been  properly  apprised  of  thu  dispositions  of  his 
"  antasronist,  a  serious  blow  might  have  been  struck  (Mther  on 
"  the  left  of  the  American  army,  or  on  the  enemy's  right  ;"  but 
although  the  combatants  cliangei^ground  a  dozen  times  in  the 
course  of  the  dny,  the  contest  was  terminated  by  the  darkness, 
on  the  spot  where  it  began. t  Few  actKins  have  Ikh  ii  more  re- 
UKirkable  than  this,  both  for  vigor  of  attack  and  oh;  tinat-y  ot 
resisiance.t 

Both  armies  remained  in  the  same  positions  until  the  l)egui- 
ning  of  October — each  entrenching  itself  within  lines  and  re- 

*  Moinoira  of  Gonorul  Wilkinson^  vol.  i.  clinptor  vu 

t  Idem. 

J  Siddmnn.  Tlio  Ion*  on  tlio  part  offhn  Ami»rican»,  in  killrd  and  wonndnd,  wni 
betwiHMi  thrtHi  iind  four  liiiiidrcd.  Among  Ihn  fi)rmt<r  wcrn  ColoncU  Culliiirn  and 
AdumH,  nn<i  icvtirnl  <itlu<r  viilimlilo  olVin^rn.  Tliu  Iohs  of  Iho  Uiilisili  was  from  six 
liundrcd  tu  a  tlioui<iui(l,  killed,  wonndid,  nnd  tiikiii. 


r-iP*" 


270 


LIFE    OV    BRANT. 


[1777. 


K 


ii  ^ 


i  i 


doubts,  which,  in  the  most  elijjiMe  positions,  were  strengthened 
with  batteries.  The  engineer  having  the  direction  of  the 
American  works  at  Behmus's  Heights,  was  the  celebrated  PoHsh 
patriot,  Tiiaddcus  Kosciusko,  who  had  also  served  in  the  vsame 
capacity  at  Ticonderoga. 

The  action  of  tlie  19th  of  September  had  again  essentially 
diminished  the  strength  of  Burgoyne,  added  to  whicli  were  the 
great  and  increasing  difficulties  of  obtaining  supplies,  and  the 
perpetual  annoyances  to  which  he  was  subjected  by  the  Ameri- 
can scouts,  and  still  larger  detachments,  who  were  uttackinj^ 
his  pickets,  hanging  upon  his  flanks,  and  cutting  off  his 
foraging  parties.  By  the  4th  of  October  liis  supplies  were  so 
far  reduced  that  the  soldiers  were  placed  upon  short  allowance, 
and  his  position  was  in  other  respects  becoming  so  critical, 
that,  hearing  nothing  from  Sir  Henry  Olinton,  for  whose  co- 
operation from  New- York  he  had  been  waiting  since  the  battle 
of  the  19th,  the  idea  of  advancing  was  relinquished,  and  instead 
thereof,  discussions  were  held  respecting  the  practicability  of 
a  retreat.  This  could  only  be  done  by  first  dislodging  the 
Americans,  whose  forces,  disciplined  and  undisciplined,  now  far 
out-numbered  his  own,  from  their  posts  on  the  heights.  On 
the  4th  of  October,  Burgoyne  sent  for  Generals  Phillips, 
Ricdesel,  and  Frazer,  to  consult  with  them  on  the  best  measures 
to  be  taken.  His  project  was  to  attack  and  attempt  to  turn  tho 
left  wing  of  the  Americans  at  once;  but  tho  other  Generals 
judged  that  it  would  be  dangerous  to  leave  tiieir  stores  under 
so  feeble  a  protection  as  eight  himdred  men,  according  to  tho 
proposition  of  their  onnnander.  A  second  consultation  was  liild 
on  the  5th,  at  which  General  Riedesel  positively  declared  that 
the  situation  of  the  army  had  become  so  critical,  that  lh(>y  must 
either  attack  and  force  the  entriMiclunents  of  CiSates,  and  thus 
bring  about  a  favorable  change  of  alfnirs,  or  recross  tin*  Hudson, 
nnd  retreat  upon  Port  George.  Frascr  approved  of  tho  latter 
snj5jrcstion,  and  Phillips  declined  giving  an  oj)inion.  General 
Burgoyne,  to  whom  tho  idea  of  retreating  was  most  unwelcome, 
declared  that  he  would  make,  on  the  7tli,  a  reconnoisanee  as 
near  as  possible  to  the  left  wing  of  the  Americans,  with  a  view 
of  ascertaining  whether  it  could  be  attacked  with  any  prospect  of 
success.     Ho  would  afterward  either  attack  the  army  of  Gates, 


[1777. 

rtliened 

of  the 

[  Polish 

ic  same 


entitilly 
vere  the 
;ind  the 
I  Amori- 
;tackinnf 
oir  his 
were  so 
owanco, 
critical, 
lose  co- 
lic battle 
1  in  stout! 
ibility  of 
i'ing  the 
L  now  far 
Its.     On 
'hillips, 
iioasurcs 
Hum  the 
icnerals 
cs  under 
jr  to  tlio 
was  held 
ircd  that 
cy  niust 
i\n(l  thus 
Hudson, 
m  latter 
(lonoral 
vclconic, 
sancp  as 
1  a  view 

(ISpOCl  of 

of  Gates, 


1777.] 


BATTLE    OP    SARATOGA. 


271 


I 


or  retreat  by  the  route  ir  the  rear  of  Battcnkill.     This  was  his 
final  determination,  and  dispositions  were  made  accordinijiy.* 

Early  in  the  afternoon  of  the  7th,  General  IJuriioyne  drew 
out  fifteen  hundred  men  for  the  purpose  of  making  his  proposed 
reconnoisancc,  which  he  headed  himself,  attended  by  Generals 
Phillips,  Riedesel,  and  Frazer.  They  advanced  in  three 
columns  toward  the  left  wing  of  the  American  positions,  enter- 
ed a  wheat-Held,  displayed  into  line,  and  then  began  cutliuir  up 
the  wheat  for  foriige.  The  moveniont  having  been  seasonably 
discovered,  the  centre  advanced  guard  of  the  Americans  beat 
to  arms;  the  alarm  was  repeated  throughout  the  line,  and 
the  troops  repaired  to  the  ;  larni  posts.  Colonel  Wilkinson 
being  at  head-([uarlers  at  i  moment,  w;is  despatched  to  as- 
certain the  cause  of  the  alarm.  He  proceeded  to  within  sixty  or 
seventy  rods  of  the  enemy,  ascertained  their  position,  and  return- 
ed ;  informing  (icncral  (Jates  that  they  were  forairiug  ;  atteni])t- 
ing  also  to  reconnoitre  tlu;  American  lt.lt,  and  likewise,  in  his 
opinion,  olferiiig  battle.  After  a  brief  consultation,  (iales  said 
ho  would  indulge  tliem  ;  and  Colonel  Morgan,  whose  rille  corps 
was  formed  in  front  of  the  centre,  was  directed  "to  be-jin  the 
game."t  At  his  own  suggestion,  howev(n',  Morgan  was  allowed 
to  gain  the  enemy's  right  by  a  circuitous  course,  while  IMor's 
brigade  should  attack  his  left. J:  The  movement  was  admirably 
executed  ;  the  New-York  ami  New  Hampshire  troops  atlat'ked 
the  enemy's  front  and  left  wing  with  great  impetiu>sity  ;  while, 
true  to  his  purpose,  Morgan,  just  at  the  critical  moment,  poured 
down  like  a  torrent  from  the  hill,  and  attacked  the  enemy's 
right  in  front  and  llaiik.  'I'he  attack  was  soon  extended  a!>ng 
the  whole  front  ol  the  enemy  with  great  determination.  Major 
Aekland,  at  the  IkmkI  of  the  grenadiers,  sustained  the  allaek  ol 
Pour  with  great  lirniness.i  JJut  on  his  right  the  light  infantry, 
in  attempting  to  cliimge  front,  being  pressed  with  ardor  by  Co- 
lonel Dearborn,  were  Ibrced  to  retire  under  a  close  lire,  anil  in 
great  disorder.     They  were  re-lbrmed  by  tius  I'larl  of  Malcurras 

*  Mniiioirmif  Ntiiiliuno  tlio  HiironcnH  dc  niidciicl. 

f  OciK'iiil  nuiniiyiiii  anriwtiid  Hliitcii  to  WilkiiiHoii,  in  ciiiivcr^ulion,  Hint  lim 
|Mir|Ki!«ii  (III  tliiit  (lay  wnn  only  to  rcconiioitnt  nnd  dliiiiin  li)riiirr<,  anil  tliiit  in  Imit'  un 
lidiir,  IiikI  \un  motives  not  liccn  prni'iiatrd  l)y  ^Vlllun^'llll  ami  lii<  not  ln'oiiullui  kcil, 
IiudIiimiM  Iiuvc  t'liiiMlii'il  hiMoliNcrvalioiiM  ami  rituniril  to  lii!<i'ain|>. 

1  W  likiiiiuit'ii  Muinuirit.  §  IIdIiiiuh. 

30 


p  I1     I 


272 


LIFE    OF    BU.VNT. 


[irr7. 


behina  a  fence  in  the  rear  of  their  first  position  ;  but,  being 
again  attacked  with  great  audacity  in  front  and  flanks  by  su- 
perior numbers,  resistance  became  vain,  and  the  whole  line, 
commanded  by  Burgoyne  in  person,  gave  way,  and  made  a 
precipitate  and  disorderly  retreat  to  his  camp,*  The  right  of 
Burgoyne  had  given  way  first,  the  retreat  of  which  wjis  covered 
by  the  hght  infantry  and  a  part  of  the  24th  regiment.  The 
left  wing  in  its  retreat  would  inevitably  h^ve  been  cut  to  piece.^ 
but  for  the  intervention  of  the  same  troops,  performing  in  its 
behalf  the  same  service  that,  a  few  moments  before,  they  iuid 
done  for  the  right.  This  retreat  took  place  in  exactly  fifty-two 
minutes  after  the  first  shot  was  fired — the  enemy  leaving  two 
twelve  and  six  six  pounders  on  the  field,  with  the  loss  of  more 
than  four  hundred  officers  and  men,  killed,  wounded,  and  cap- 
tured, and  among  them  the  flower  of  his  oflicers,  viz :  General 
Frazer,  Major  Ackland,1  Sir  Francis  Cook,  and  many  others. 

*  Memoirs  of  Goncml  Wilkinson. 

t  Idem.  General  Wiliiinson  gives  an  interesting  inciJcntrcopectingMajurArk- 
Innd.  While  pursuing  the  flying  enemy,  passing  over  killed  and  wounded,  he  heard  a 
voice  exclaim — "  Protect  me,  sir,  against  this  boy  V  Turning  his  head,  he  saw  a  lao. 
thirteen  or  fourteen  years  of  age,  deliberately  aiming  at  a  wounded  oflieer,  lying  in 
the  angle  of  a  worm-fence.  The  pur|)ose  of  the  l)oy  was  arrested — the  oflieer 
proved  to  bo  the  bravo  Ackland  who  had  commanded  the  grenadiers,  and  was 
wounded  in  both  legs,  lie  was  immediately  sent  to  head-quarters.  The  story  of 
Major  Ackland  has  been  rendered  familiar  to  all,  even  before  escaping  the  nursery, 
by  the  interesting  narrative  of  Lady  Harriet,  his  wife,  who  was  with  the  ormy,  and 
who,  two  days  after  the  battle,  came  to  the  American  camp,  under  a  (lag,  to  join  her 
husband.  The  incident,  from  the  cmhellishments  it  received,  was  touching  and  ro- 
mantic. When  divested  of  its  poetry,  however,  and  reduced  to  the  plain  matter  of 
fact,  occording  to  the  statement  of  the  lute  General  Dearborn,  which  he  authorized 
Wilkinson  to  publish  in  his  memoirs,  the  alTair  was  not  so  very  extraordinary  that 
it  might  not  have  been  enacted  by  any  other  pretty  woman  under  the  same  eiremn- 
stances,  who  loved  her  husband.  Major  Aekland  had  already  been  sent  down  to 
Albany,  when  Lady  Harriet  arrived  at  the  camp  of  General  Gates.  She  was 
treated  with  all  possible  courtesy,  and  permitted  to  follow  and  join  him.  Major 
Ackland  was  a  gallant  ollUer  and  a  rjcncrous  foe,  While  in  N<'W-Vork,  on  his 
poro'e,  ho  did  all  in  his  power  to  favor  the  treat rnent  of  dintinguishetl  American 
prisoners.  Alter  his  return  to  F.ngland,  he  snerirteed  his  lif(^  in  defence  of  American 
honor.  Having  procured  u  regiment,  at  a  dinner  of  military  men,  the  couroge  of 
the  Americans  was  (pivstioned.  He  repelled  the  imputation  with  decision.  High 
words  ensued,  in  the  course  of  which  Acklanil  gave  the  lie  direct  toasultordinote  ofli- 
eer named  Lloyd,  A  meeting  was  the  cnnsetpicnce,  in  which  he  was  shot  through  Iho 
head,  Lady  Harriot  lost  her  senses,  and  continued  derungi'd  two  years ;  after  which 
slin  tnarriiMl  a  gentlenmn  named  llrudenell,  who  had  accompanied  her  from  the  camp 
ofUurgoyue,  ul  ydrato;;a,  to  that  ofGate^,  in  search  of  her  wounded  liusbnnd. 


lb 


being 


Ifyv  -1 
1(1.] 


D.VTTLK    OF    SAllATOaA. 


273 


P 


I 


The  British  troops  had  scarcely  entered  tlieir  lines,  when  the 
Americans,  led  by  General  Arnold,  pressed  forward,  and,  under 
a  tremendous  fire  of  grape-shot  and  musketry,  assaulted  their 
works  throuwliout  their  whole  extent  from  right  to  left.  To- 
ward the  close  of  the  day,  the  enemy's  intrenchments  were 
forced  by  the  left  of  the  Americans,  led  by  Arnold  in  person, 
who,  with  a  few  of  his  men,  actually  entered  the  works  ;  but 
his  horse  being  killed,  and  the  General  himself  badly  wounded 
in  the  leg,  they  were  forced  to  retire,  and  the  approach  of  dark- 
ness induced  them  to  desist  from  the  attack.*  Meantime,  on 
the  left  of  Arnold's  detachment,  the  Massachusetts  troops,  under 
Colonel  Brooks,  had  been  still  more  successful — having  turned 
the  enemy's  right,  and  carried  by  storm  the  works  occupied  by 
the  German  reserv^c.  Colonel  Brcyman,  their  commander,  was 
killed  ;  and  his  corps,  reduced  to  two  hundred  men,  and  hotly 
pressed  on  all  sides,  was  oblig(>d  to  give  way.  This  advan- 
tage was  retained  by  the  Americans  ;  and  darkness  put  an  end 
to  an  action  equally  brilliant  and  important  to  the  Continental 
arms.  Great  numbers  of  the  enemy  were  killed,  and  two  hun- 
dred prisoners  taken.  The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  incon- 
siderable.! 

On  the  morning  of  the  Sth,  before  daybreak,  the  enemy  left 
his  position  and  defiled  into  the  plain  where  his  provisions 
were  ;  but  was  obligoil  to  halt  until  the  evening,  because  his 
hospital  could  not  bo  sooner  rcmovod.t     The  Americans  im- 

♦  Sulni'qiipnt  to  tlic  baltloof  tlm  19th  S(»i)tcnit)"r,  and  provions  to  that  now  under 
reviuw,  Arnold  liiid  Iwd  soino  dilHciilly  witli  Citttcs.  A  slmrp  cormspondonce  on 
■ucd,  ill  tlic  c'onrso  ol"  wliicli  tlio  fortnor  duiniindi.'d  perniiKRion  to  join  the  Com- 
matuliT-in-cliit^f  in  Pcnnsylvimin.  The  coh9C(|iiimu'o  was,  that  Arnold  found  him- 
icdf  without  any  tonnnand  on  the  7tli.  llo  was  r.xccechnnly  cliafod  at  hin  position  ; 
liul,  ordc  19  or  no  orders,  hr could  not  be  kopt  from  tlio  tiild.  His  condurt  was  very 
Btrangi',  and  Ik;  has  bi'cn  charircd  by  Wilkinson  and  othora  with  into.xic:ttion  that 
day.  Uu  it  so  or  not,  before  llio  action  was  over,  he  wan  in  tliu  hott(>st  of  it,  and  ex- 
orciHins;  command.  Iln  expound  liimHclf  foolishly  and  preiiumptuoualy  in  front  of 
the  German  division  ;  and  it  was  without  orders  that  he  oolleeled  a  few  desperato 
rollowers,  with  whom  hu  entered  lliu  enemy's  intrenchment,  where  ho  received  his 
woimd. 

f  Holmes. 

I  Memoirs  of  the  Baroness  do  Riedesel.  Of  this  lady,  Qonerol  Wilkinson  iayi— 
"  I  have  more  thun  onen  seen  her  eharnuns;  blue  eyes  bedewc'd  with  tears  at  the  recital 
of  her  sufr'rings.  With  two  infant  children  she  accompanied  her  husband,  Major 
(lenernl  the  Haron  <le  lliedesel  from  (ior"i!iny  to  Kn^hlnd,  from  Kngland  to  Canada, 
and  from  the  lust  place  to  the  turminatiun  of  (Junerul  Uur^joynu's  campaign,  in  which 


m 


h 


274 


I.II'K    OF    mSAA'J', 


[1777. 


mcdiiitcly  moved  forward,  and  took  possession  of  the  aban- 
doned camp.  Burgoyiie  having  condensed  liis  force  ujion  some 
heights  which  were  stiong  by  nature,  and  covered  in  front  by 
u  ravine  running  parallel  vitli  the  entrenchment  of  his  late 
camp,  a  random  lire  of  artillery  and  small  amis  was  kept  up 
through  the  day — particularly  ou  the  part  of  the  enemy's  sharp- 
shooters and  Provincials,  who  were  stationed  in  coverts  of  the 
ravine,  which  rendered  their  fire  annoying  to  every  person 
crossing  their  line  of  vision.*  It  was  by  a  shot  from  one  of 
liiese  lurking  parties,  lliat  General  Lincoln,  late  in  the  day, 
received  a  severe  wound  in  the  leg  while  riding  near  the  line. 
The  gallant  Frazcr,  who  had  been  mortally  wounded  the 
day  before,  lied  at  8  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  8lh.  On 
the  evening  of  his  fall,  when  it  was  rendered  certain  that  he 
could  not  recover,  he  sent  for  General  Burgoyne,  and  requested 
that  he  might  be  buried  at  0  o'clock  the  following  evening,  on 
the  crest  of  u  hill  u))on  which  a  breastwork  had  been  con- 
structed. It  was  a  subject  of  complaint  against  Hurgoyne,  that 
in  order  to  comply  with  this  request,  he  delayed  his  retreat,  and 
thus  contrii)Uted  to  the  misfortunes  of  his  army.  Be  that  as  it 
may,  the  dying  soldier's  re([uest  was  observed  to  the  letter.  At 
the  hour  a])pointed  the  body  was  borne  to  tlu  hill  that  had 
been  indicated,  attended  by  (he  Generals  and  their  retinues; 
the  funeral  service  was  read  1  y  the  Chaplain  ;  and  the  corpse 
interred,  while  the  balls  of  the  American  cannon  were  flying 
nround  and  above  the  assembled  mourners.t 

bIio  Hufrorc'd  more  than  llie  liorrors  of  the  iiriivc  in  tliuir  most  frli^litful  nspect."  Ilrr 
Memoirs  were  published  in  Berlin  in  1)^1)0.  They  nre  full  of  inteiest.  Some  of 
the  (listressing  scenes  wliicii  attended  (lie  close  of  Bursoyne'a  campnign  are  so 
gruphicully  lolJ  hy  the  niironuss,  and  afTurd  such  striking  illustrations  of  the  liorrors 
of  war,  that  the  author  has  venttned  to  tranff'M-  a  few  pages  to  the  Appendix  of  Iho 
present  volume.     See  Appendix,  No.  IX. 

•  IMenioirs  of  General  Wilkinson. 

t  The  Uaroness  Riedesel,  from  whose  8i)iritcd  RTeir.oirs  the  circumstnnccB  of  ihia 
funeral  are  drawn,  states  that,  (Jenertd  Ciates  protested  afterward  that  had  he  known 
what  was  going  on,  he  would  have  stopped  the  (ire  innnedlately.  It  must  have  been 
ft  solenm  spietiiele,  luid  Cieneral  nnruoyne  hinisilf  deserihed  it  with  his  usual  elo« 
quenee  and  filieily  (if  expression  ; — "'J'he  incessant  I'aimonade  dminj;  the  solitm- 
nity ;  the  steady  attitude  and  unaltered  voice  with  which  the  chaplain  olliciuted, 
tlionj;h  freipiently  roveretl  with  dust,  which  the  shot  llu'ew  n|i  on  all  fides  of  liim; 
the  mute  hut  expres:<ivo  mixture  of  sensihilily  and  iiidiijiniition  upon  every  connte- 
nanco ;  these  olijectn  will  remain  to  the  last  o(  life  upon  the  mind  of  every  man  who 
was  present.    The  growing  duskiness  added  to  the  scenery,  and  tlio  wholo  marked 


i  t  i , 


nrUGOYNK  .S    CAMI'AI<;X. 


2 


I  o 


i  fly  in 


f 


It  M'as  evident  from  the  movements  in  the  enemy's  camp, 
that  he  was  preparing  to  retreat ;  but  the  American  troops, 
having-  in  tlie  dehrinin  of  joy  consequent  upon  their  victory, 
neglected  to  draw  and  cat  their  rations — i)eing  withal  not  a 
little  fatigued  with  the  two  days'  exertions,  fell  back  to  their 
camp,  which  had  been  left  standing  in  the  niornmg.  Retreat 
was,  indeed,  the  only  alternative  remaining  to  the  Hritish  com- 
mander, since  it  was  now  quite  certain  that  he  could  not  cut 
his  way  tln'ough  the  American  army,  iuid  his  supplies  were 
reduced  to  a  short  allowance  for  tive  days.  He  accordingly  com- 
menced his  retreat  that  night,  but  lingered  Ijy  the  way  ;  so  that 
on  the  lOtli  he  was  yet  near  Saratoga,  where  he  took  up  a  po- 
sition. During  this  retreat  lie  ordered  the  farm-houses  to  be 
burnt  by  the  way,  among  which  was  the  elegant  mansion  of 
General  .Schuyler,  with  its  mills  and  out-buildii-igs.  This  con- 
duct on  the  i)art  of  the  IJritish  commander  was  viewed  as 
alike  disre])nt;ible  and  unnecessary.* 

Well  knowing  that  a  farther  retreat,  with  a  view,  if  possible, 
of  reaching  his  (h'p6t  at  Fort  George,  and  escaping  through  the 
lakes,  was  now  the  only  movement  to  which  liurgoyne  could 
have  recourse  to  save  the  sliattercd  remains  of  liis  army,  Gates 
lost  no  time  in  throwing  several  strong  detaciiinents  of  troops 
into  his  rear.  A  division  of  lourteeu  hundred  was  stationed  on 
the  heights  ojiposite  the  ford  at  Saraioga;  two  thousand  in  his 
rear,  to  prevent  his  retreat  upon  Fort  Fdward  ;  and  fifteen 
himdred  iit  a  ford  yet  higher  uj).  Apprehensive  that  he  shoidd 
be  entirely  penned  u]i,  Hurgoync  sent  forwiird  a  corps  of  artifi- 
cers to  repair  the  bridges;  but  those,  though  strongly  guarded, 
were  driven  preeijiitiitely  back.  Kis  thouu'hts  were  next  di- 
rected to  the  ojiening  of  a  jias^age  by  the  way  of  Fort  l-'d- 
wnrd  ;  but  the  Americans  hail  alreatly  re-possessed  themselves 

II  clmraftiT  oftlmt  jiiiu'lurc,  lliiit  would  iinikc  one  oflln;  I'mcs'l  sulijrcts  fiirtlio  prricil 
of  11  ninstnr  Hint  till)  liilil  i'V(T  (>xliiliilc'il.  To  iIk!  ciiiiv;isa,  ixrul  to  tlio  fuilliriil  pnijo 
of  (I  inoii' importiirit  liiKliuiiin,  j;iillimt  friiiiil!  I  cniisi^jn  thy  memory.  Tlicni  may 
tliy  tiili'iils,  tliy  miinly  virtue!",  tlieir  pro^reHS  iiiiil  their  perioil,  find  duo  di>*tinrtion  j 
and  lon^  ni.iy  they  mirvivp,  lotr^  nfte"  tli(^  fruil  record  of  my  pen  ahull  he  forijolten  1" 
— SInlF  oflhr  E.rpi ilition  from  <\vi(i(Li,  i^r.  i^J-r.  /).  Kilt. 

♦  "Tlie  erueltieH  whieli  mark  the  retreat  of  your  army,  in  Inirnincr  Dni  prntlc- 
men's  nnd  farmern'  Imnses  ns  it  passed  along,  nrn  almost,  among  oivilized  nations, 
wiihoiit  preredeiit ;  they  hIioiiIiI  not  endeavor  to  ruin  those  they  eould  not  rorupier; 
their  conduct  hetrayt"  more  of  the  vindictive  malicii  of  the  monk  tliuii  tho  generosity 
of  a  Holdicr.''— Le/fcr  nflSittes  to  Jhtrgnync,  Oct.  12,  1777. 


t| 


11^ 


1.f 


276 


LIFE   or  nUANT. 


[li  1 1. 


of  that  work,  and  were  well  provided  with  artillery.  Thus 
environed  with  difficulties,  which  were  increasino^  every  hour, 
his  effective  force  reduced  to  less  than  three  thousand  five  hun- 
dred men, — the  American  army  increasing  every  moment, 
and  now  forming  an  almost  entire  circle  around  him, — harassed 
at  all  points,  especially  by  the  sharp-shooters  who  hovered 
about  him, — Burgoyne  was  driven  to  the  necessity  of  entering 
into  a  convention  with  General  Gates,  which  was  done  by  the 
unanimous  consent  of  a  jjeneral  council  of  his  officers.  The 
preliminaries  were  soon  adjusted  ;  and  on  the  17th  of  October, 
the  royal  army  surrendered  prisoners  of  war.  At  the  opening 
of  the  campaign,  the  army  of  IJurgoyne  numbered  nine  thou- 
sand two  hundred  and  thirteen  men.  The  number  that  laid 
down  their  arms,  was  five  thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty- 
two.  His  Indian  uUics  had  all,  or  nearly  all,  abandoned  him 
several  days  before. 

On  the  same  day  that  the  articles  of  capitulation  were  car- 
ried into  effect,  Burgoyne,  with  his  general  officers,  was  re- 
ceived in  the  quarters  of  General  Gates,  and  entertained  by  him 
at  dinner.  They  were  received  with  the  utmost  courtesy,  and 
with  the  consideration  due  to  brave  but  unfortunate  men. 
The  conversation  was  unrestrained,  affable,  and  free.*  Indeed, 
the  conduct  of  Gales  throughout,  after  the  terms  of  the  surren- 
der had  been  adjusted,  was  marked  with  equal  delicacy  and 
magnanimity,  as  Burgoyne  himself  admitted  in  a  letter  to  the 
Earl  of  Derby.  In  that  letter,  the  captive  General  particularly 
jnontioned  one  circumstance  which,  he  said,  exceeded  all  he 
hud  over  seen  or  read  of  on  a  like  occasion.  It  was  the  fact, 
that  when  the  British  soldiers  had  marched  out  of  their  camp 
to  the  place  where  they  were  to  pile  their  arms,  not  a  man  of 
the  American  troops  was  to  be  seen — General  Gates  having 
ordered  his  whole  army  out  of  sight,  that  not  one  of  them 

*  Mrmoirs  of  ilieBiironpssde  RiidcB'^l.  The  first  incctingof  Biirgoyno  with  Gatos 
is  thus  (lescribcfl  by  \V  ilkinson  :— "  Genornl  GutoB,  ndviitcci  of  Biirgoynu's  approach, 
met  liitn  at  tlio  head  of  liis  camp — I3iirgoyiio  in  a  licU  royol  uniform,  and  Galea  in  u 
pliiin  bluo  frock  ;  when  they  Imd  approached  noorly  within  sword's  length,  tlicy 
nined  up  and  halted.  I  then  named  liie  jjenllemen,  ond  General  Diirgoyne,  roisinn 
his  hot  most  grarcfiiliy,  miid — 'Tlio  fortune  of  war,  General  Gates,  hni  made  me 
your  prisoner ;'  to  which  the  roiKpieror,  returning  a  courtly  Fiilute,  promptly  replied 
— *I  shall  a'.tvays  bn  ready  to  bear  tcslimony  that  it  has  not  been  through  any  fault 
of  your  Excellency.'" 


.1  i  I . 


Having 


/ 


1777,] 


CLOSK    OF    BURGOYNk's    CA.AII'AIGX. 


277 


should  be  a  spectator  of  the  humihation  of  the  British  troops, 
nor  offer  the  smallest  insult  to  tlie  vanquished.  Tiiis  was  a  re- 
finement of  delicacy,  and  of  military  trencrosity  and  politeness, 
reflectinijf  tlie  highest  credit  upon  the  conqueror;  and  was 
spoken  of  by  the  officers  of  Burgoyne  in  the  strongest  terms  of 
approbation.* 

It  was,  perhaps,  no  fault  of  General  Gates,  that  he  had  been 
placed  in  command  at  the  North  jnst  at  the  auspicious  mo- 
ment when  the  discomfiture  of  Burgoyne  was  no  longer  pro- 
blematical. He  was  ordered  by  Congress  to  the  station,  and 
performed  his  duty  well.  But  it  is  no  less  true  that  the  laurels 
won  by  him  onght  to  have  been  harvested  by  Schuyler.  Ge- 
neral (then  Colonel)  Wilkinson,  who  was  not  only  an  active  of- 
ficer in  that  campaisfu,  but  a  member  of  Gates's  own  military 
family,  has  placed  this  question  in  its  true  aspect.  He  main- 
tains that  not  only  had  the  army  of  Burgoyne  been  essentially 
disabled  by  the  loss  of  a  beavy  detachment,  artillery  and  bag- 
gage, and  by  the  defeat  of  tbe  Hessians  at  Bennington,  before 
the  arrival  of  Gales,  but  that  the  repulse  of  St.  liC  dt  at  Fort 
Schuyler  had  deranged  his  plans,  while  safety  had  been  restored 
to  the  western  frontier,  and  the  panic  thereby  caused  to  subside. 
He  likewise  maintains  that  after  the  reverses  at  the  North,  no 
wise  in  justice  attributable  to  him,  and  k;foro  the  arrival  of 
Gates,  the  zeal,  patriotism,  and  salutary  arrangements  of  Gene- 
ral Schuyler  had  vanquished  the  prejudices  excited  against 
him  ;  that  by  the  deleat  of  Baum  and  St.  Leger,  Schuyler  had 
been  enabled  to  concentrate  and  oppose  his  whole  Continental 
force  against  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  ;  and  that  by  him, 
also  before  the  arrival  of  Gates,  the  friends  of  the  Revolution 
had  l)een  re-animated  and  excited  to  manly  resistance,  whilo 
the  adlierents  of  the  royal  cause  were  intimidated,  and  had 
shrunk  into  silence  and  inactivity.  From  these  premises,  which 
are  indisputable,  it  is  no  more  than  a  fair  deduction  to  say, 
"  that  the  sanie  force  which  enabled  Gates  to  subdue  the  Bri- 

♦  RemfcinlrrnnoDr  of  1777,  pa-jps  482,  93,  A  letter  pul)lishr<l  in  thai  repository 
of  the  events  of  tlie  Aim  ricnn  llevohilioii,  at  the  sninc  time,  stated  ihiit  "some  fo»v 
of  iho  New  Kiioiimd  men  <leBiretl  to  hnve  Hurj^nyne  in  their  hands  for  half  an  hour. 
Being  Hcked  for  what  purpose,  they  said  they  would  tlo  him  no  mwniipr  of  harm ; 
they  wniihl  only  tar  and  feather  him,  and  make  him  Mtund  on  lite  head  of  one  of  hi  < 
own  empty  beef-harrels,  and  read  hia  own  |pioelainiilioii." — ,t\<.  IHI,  82.  If  ntado 
at  ull,  the  suggestion  muul  huvo  been  merely  tho  Rjioitivo  Holly  of  a  wag. 


'i 


i^ 


I^till 


278 


LIFK    OF    RRANT. 


[1777. 


"  tish  army,  would  liavc  produced  a  similar  effect  under  the 
"  orders  of  General  Schuyler ;  since  the  operations  of  tlie  cam- 
•' paign  did  not  involve  a  singlo  instance  of  prol'essi^ial  skill, 
"and  the  triumph  of  the  American  arms  was  accomplislied  by 
"  the  physical  (brce  and  valor  of  the  troops,  under  the  pko- 
"tbction  and  diukctiox  of  tiik  God  of  hattles."* 

Flushed  with  liis  fortuitous  success,  or  rather  with  the  suc- 
cess attending  his  fortuitous  position,  Gates  did  not  wear  liis 
honors  with  any  remarkable  meekness.  On  the  contrary,  his 
bearing  even  toward  the  Commander-in-chief  was  far  from 
respectful.  He  did  not  even  write  to  Was'iington  on  the  occa- 
sion, until  after  a  considerable  time  had  elapsed.  In  the  first 
instance  Wilkinson  was  sent  as  the  bearer  of  despatches  to 
Congress,  but  did  not  reach  the  scat  of  that  body  until  fifteen 
days  after  the  articles  of  capitulation  had  been  signed  ;  and 
three  days  more  were  occupied  in  arranging  his  pnpers  betbro 
they  were  presented.t  Tlie  first  mention  which  Washington 
makes  of  the  defeat  of  Burgoyne,  is  contained  in  a  letter  written 
to  his  brother  on  the  ISth  of  October — the  news  having  been 
communicated  to  him  by  Governor  Clinton.  He  spoke  of  the 
event  again  on  the  19th,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  General  Put- 
nam. On  the  25th,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  that  officer,  he 
acknowledges  the  receipt  of  a  copy  of  the  articles  of  capitulation 
frof/i  hl/n — adding,  that  that  was  the  first  authentic  intelligence 
he  had  received  of  the  affair,  and  that  he  had  begun  to  grow 
uneasy,  and  almost  to  suspect  that  the  previous  accounts  were 
premature.  And  it  was  not  until  the  2d  of  November  that 
Gates  deigned  to  com  nunicatc  to  the  Commander-in-chief  u 
word  upon  the  subject,  and  then  only  incidentally,  as  though  it 
were  u  matter  of  secondary  importance.]: 

*  Wilkinson's  Memoirs,  vol.  i.  cliiip.  v. 

t  Sparks.  "It  wiis  on  this  or.ciixion  Ilint  onr>  of  (lie  members  mndc  a  motiun  in 
Congrcsp,  that  they  should  compliment  Colonel  Wilkinson  with  the  gift  of  a"piur  of 
spurs." 

t  Idem.  All  that  Gales  said  tipon  the  sidijett  in  the  letter  referred  to,  wna 
comprised  in  those  few  words : — "Congress  having  been  requested  immediately  to 
tronsmit  copies  of  all  my  dcspatehes  to  them,  1  am  confident  your  Excellency  has 
long  ago  received  all  the  good  news  from  this  (piarter.''  Tvii*  d;;ys  lif^tiire  this,  m  a 
letter  directed  to  ( Jates,  Washington  had  administered  one  of  those  nnld  and  digni- 
fied rebukes  so  very  like  liimse'f.  In  thix  letter,  M'ritten  in  reference  to  n  fpeeial 
mission  of  Colonel  Hamilton  to  tlic  North,  the  Connnander-in-chicf  said  : — "  Ry 
thiti  opportunity  I  do  myself  tho  plousuro  to  cungrululutc  you  on  tho  signal  guccusa 


1777.] 


NOBLE  CONDUCT  OF  SCHUYLER. 


279 


I1<^011C0 


General  Schuyler  was  in  the  camp  witli  Gates  at  the  time  of 
the  surrender,  thougli  without  any  personal  command  ;  and 
when  Burgoyne,  with  his  general  officers,  arrived  in  Albany, 
they  were  the  guests  of  Schuyler,  by  whom  they  were  treated 
with  great  hospitahty.  Tlie  Baroness  de  Riedescl  speaks  with 
great  feeling  of  the  kindness  she  received  from  General  Schuy- 
ler on  her  first  arrival  in  the  camp  of  General  Gates,  and  after- 
ward at  the  hands  of  Mrs.  Schuyler  and  her  daughters  in  Alba- 
ny. The  urbanity  of  his  manners,  and  the  chivalric  magna- 
nimity of  his  character,  smarting  as  he  was  under  the  extent 
and  severity  of  his  pecuniary  losses,  are  attested  by  General 
Burgoyne  himself,  in  his  speech  in  1778,  in  the  British  House 
of  Commons.  He  there  declared  that,  by  his  orders,  "  a  very 
"  good  dwelling-house,  exceeding  large  store-houses,  great  saw- 
"  mills,  and  other  out-buildings,  to  the  value  altogether  perhaps 
"  of  £10,000  sterling,"  belonging  to  General  Schuyler,  at  Sara- 
toga, were  destroyed  by  fire  a  few  days  before  the  surrender. 
He  said  farther,  that  one  of  the  first  persons  he  saw,  after  the 
convention  was  signed,  was  General  Schuyler ;  and  when  ex- 
pressing to  him  his  regret  at  the  event  which  had  happened  to 
his  property.  General  Schuyler  desired  him  "  to  think  no  more 
"  ")f  it,  and  that  the  occasion  justified  it,  according  to  the  prin- 
"  ciples  ftnd  rules  of  war.  He  did  more,"  said  Burgoyne  ;  "  he 
"sent  an  aid-de-camp*  to  conduct  me  to  Albany,  in  order,  as 
"  he  expressed  it,  to  procure  better  quarters  tiian  a  stranger 
"  miirlit  be  able  to  find.  That  c;entleman  conducted  me  to  a 
"  very  elegant  house,  and,  to  my  great  surprise,  presented  me 
"  to  Mrs.  Schuyler  and  her  family.  In  that  house  I  remained 
"  during  my  whole  stay  in  Albany,  with  a  table  of  more  than 
"  twenty  covers  for  me  and  my  friends,  and  every  other  possi- 
"ble  demonstration  of  hospitaHty."t 


.llH 


Id  to,  wna 
Irdiately  to 
lllcncy  has 
tills  in  a 
1(1  disni- 
n  ppccinl 
|d :— "  By 
lul  succusa 


of  the  army  under  your  command,  in  comprlling  General  Burgoyne  and  liis  whole 
force  to  surrender  themselves  prisoners  of  war."  ♦  ♦  *  *  "At 
the  same  time  I  cannot  but  regret  tiiat  a  matter  of  such  magnitude,  and  so  interest- 
ing to  our  general  operations,  should  have  reached  me  hy  report  only,  or  through  tho 
channel  of  letters  not  bearing  that  authenticity  which  the  importance  of  it  required,  and 
which  it  would  have  received  by  a  lino  under  your  signature,  stating  the  simplo 
facta."— Letters  of  Wanhinglon,  vol.  v.  pa'^es  104,  1  lU,  113,  I-' 1,  125. 

♦  Tlie  latoColoncl  Richanl  Varick,  then  tho  military  secretary  of  Gen.  Schuyler. 

t  Parliamentary  History,  vol.  xix.  p.  1 182 — as  (juoted  by  Chancellor  Kent  in  hi« 
uddresa  before  tho  New-YorU  Historical  Society, 

40 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


.  I 


r:,, 


Sir  Henry  Clinton's  attempt  to  co-operate  witli  Burg;oyne — Storming  of  Forts  Clin- 
ton and  Montgomery — Burning  of  iEsopus — Review  of  military  operations  else- 
where— Expeaition  to  Peekskill — Of  Gov.  Tryon  to  Danbury — Protjress  of  Sir 
William  Howe  in  Pennsylvania— Battle  of  Brandywine — Massacre  of  the  Paoii— 
Battle  of  Germantown — Death  of  Count  Donop — Mnrcier  of  Captnin  Duitz  and 
family  at  Berne — John  Taylor — Lady  Johnson  ordered  to  ipav<;  Albany — Exas- 
peration of  Sir  John — Attempts  to  abduct  Mr.  Taylor — An  Indian  and  white  man 
bribed  to  assassinate  General  Schuyler — Fresh  alarms  in  Tryon  County — -Ad- 
dress of  Congress  to  the  Six  Nations — The  appeal  produces  no  effect — Articles 
of  confederation — Close  of  the  year 

Simultaneously  with  the  events  rapidly  sketched  in  the 
preceding  chapter,  an  expedition  from  New-Yoric  to  the  North 
was  undertaken  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  to  which  an  incidental 
reference  has  already  been  made.  The  obvious  intention  of 
Sir  Henry  was  to  relieve  General  Bnrgoyne  ;*  but  it  was  un- 
dertaken at  too  late  a  period  to  render  him  any  assistance  ;  a 
fact  admitted  by  Sir  Henry  himself,  who  excused  the  delay  by 
stating  that  he  could  not  attempt  it  sooner  without  leaving  the 
defences  of  New-York  too  feebly  guarded.  This  expedition 
consisted  of  about  three  thousand  men,  convoyed  by  a  fleet  un- 
der Commodore  Hotham,  who  proceeded  up  the  Hudson  river 
early  in  October,  and  was  destined,  in  the  first  instance,  against 
Forts  Montgomery  and  Clinton,  near  the  Southern  boundary  of 
the  highlands.  These  fortresses  had  been  constructed  chiefly  for 
the  purpose  of  preventing  the  ships  of-  the  enemy  from  ascend- 
ing the  river,\  and  were  not  defensible  in  the  rear.  They 
were  commanded  by  Governor  Clinton,  with  the  assistance  of 
General  James  Clinton,  his  brother. 

The  troops  of  the  enemy  were  landed  at  Stoney  Point, 
twelve  miles  below  the  forts.  A  small  advanced  party  of  the 
Americans  was  met  and  attacked  at  about  10  o'clock  in  the 
morning  of  the  6th  of  October,  when  within  two  and  a  half 
miles  of  the  fort.  This  party  was  of  course  driven  in,  having 
returned  the  enemy's  fire.t  When  arrived  within  a  mile  of 
the  forts,  Sir  Henry  divided  his  troops  into  two  columns  ;  the 
one,  consisting  of  nine  hundred  men  under  Lieutenant  Colonel 

•  Letter  from  Washington  to  General  Putnam,  Oct.  19,  1777. 

t  Letter  from  Governor  Clinton  to  the  Committee  of  Safety,  Oct.  7,  1777. 


II  IP 


Ji 


1777.] 


FOUTS    CLINTON    AND    MONTOOMEUY. 


281 


aving 


Campbell,  was  destined  for  the  attack  on  Fort  Montgomery ; 
the  other,  under  the  immediate  command  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
was  to  storm  the  stronger  post  of  Fort  Clinton.*  Ascertaining 
that  the  enemy  were  advancing  to  the  west  side  of  the  moun- 
tain, to  attack  his  rear,  Governor  Clii^.ton  ordered  a  detachment 
of  upward  of  one  Inmdred  men,  under  Col.  Lamb,  together  with 
a  brass  field-piece  and  fifty  men  more,  to  take  a  strong  position 
in  advance.  They  were  soon  sharply  engaged,  and  another  de- 
tachment of  an  equal  number  was  sent  to  their  assistance.  They 
kept  their  ficld-piecc  sharply  playing  upon  the  enemy's  advanc- 
ing column,  and  were  only  compelled  to  give  way  by  the  point 
of  the  bayonet — spiking  their  field-piece  before  they  relinquish- 
ed it.  In  this  preliminary  encounter  the  loss  of  Sir  Henry 
was  severe. 

Pressing  rapidly  onward,  both  forts  were  in  a  few  minutes 
attacked  with  vigor  upon  all  sides.  The  fire  was  incessant 
during  the  afternoon  until  about  five  o'clock,  when  a  flag  ap- 
proaching, Ijieutenant  Colonel  Livingston  was  ordered  to  re- 
ceive it.  The  oflicer  was  the  bearer  of  a  peremptory  summons 
to  surrender,  as  he  alleged,  to  prevent  the  effusion  of  blood. 
Nor  would  he  treat,  unless  upon  the  basis  of  a  surrender  of  the 
garrison  as  prisoners  of  war,  in  which  case  he  was  authorised 
to  assure  them  of  good  usage.  The  proposition  being  rejected 
"  with  scorn,"t  in  about  ten  minutes  the  attack  was  renewed, 
and  kept  up  until  after  dark,  when  the  enemy  forced  the 
American  lines  and  redoubts  at  both  forts,  and  the  garrisons, 
determined  not  to  surrender,  undertook  to  fight  their  way  out, 
The  lust  attack  of  the  enemy  was  desperate ;  but  the  Ameri 
cans,  militia  as  w^cU  as  regulars,  resisted  with  great  spirit, 
and,  favored  by  the  darkness,  many  of  them  escaped.  Govern- 
or Clinton  himself  escaped  by  leaping  a  precipice  in  the  dark, 
and  jumping  into  a  boat,  in  which  he  was  conveyed  away. 
His  brother  was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner.  Of  the  British 
forces.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Campbell  and  Count  Grabouski,  a 
Polish  nobleman,  engaged  as  a  volunteer  under  Sir  Henry, 
were  slain.  The  loss  of  the  Americans,  killed,  wounded,  and 
missin"",  was  stated  at  two  hundred  and  fifty.     The  British  loss 

*  Holmes. 

1  Letter  of  Governor  Clinton  to  the  Council  of  Safety,  from  which  the  facte  of 
tliia  affair  arc  chiefly  ilrawn. 


!"^ 


;  I 


I'     I 


n^ 


i   t 


282 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1777 


was  stated  at  two  hundred,  but  was  believed  to  have  been  much 
more  than  that  of  the  Americans.* 

On  the  7th,  a  summons  to  surrender,  signed  jointly  by  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  and  Commodore  Hotham,  was  sent  to  Fort  Con- 
stitution ;t  but  the  flag  was  fired  upon,  and  returned.  To 
avenge  the  insult,  an  attack  was  immediately  determined  upon, 
but  on  arriving  at  the  fort  on  the  following  day,  there  was  no 
enemy  to  assault — an  evacuation  having  taken  place,  so  preci- 
pitate as  to  leave  considerable  booty  to  the  conqueror.t  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  proceeded  no  fartiier,  but  a  strong  detachment 
of  his  army,  under  General  Vaughan,  pursued  the  enter- 
prise, with  Commodore  Hotham,  as  far  north  as  ^sopus,§  de- 
stroying several  vessels  by  the  way.  At  iEsopus  Creek  there 
were  two  small  batteries  and  an  armed  galley,  mounting,  how- 
ever, in  all,  but  six  or  seven  guns.  These  were  easily  silenced. 
General  Vaughan  then  cllbcted  a  landing,  marched  to  the 
town,  and  laid  it  in  aslies.  luirge  quantities  of  stores  had  been 
accumulated  at  this  place,  which  were  of  course  destroyed. 
Disappointed,  however,  by  the  disastrous  termination  of  the 
campaign  of  Burgoyne,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  made  an  expeditious 
return  to  the  city. 

13ut  the  war  was  this  year  fruitful  in  military  events  in 
other  parts  of  the  confederation,  some  of  the  principal  of  which 
may  appropriately  be  passed  in  review  at  this  stage  of  the  pre- 
sent chapter.  In  the  month  of  March,  after  the  return  of  the 
British  troops  from  their  bootless  expedition  through  the  Jer- 

♦  "  I  bi  licvp,  from  tlio  biavny  of  the  garrison  of  Fort  Montgompry,  Sir  Ilcnry 
Clinton  |)urcluiHL(l  victory  nt  no  iiiconsidorablo  rxponsc.  Ocnrrnl  Oain|)bp||  was 
ccrtninly  killed.  TliiH  llu  y  nuiitioii  in  their  own  oHicinl  arcount,  but  call  )iin> 
Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  (ifty-sceund  rejjiinont,  Hu  was  a  (jienprul  on  tho  Ameri- 
can rstabliHlinient,  so  declared  in  one  of  tho  orderly  books  which  fell  mto  cur 
liands.'' — I.itirr  of  n'ns/i//ii,'/();i  lo  denrral  I'tilnam.  [SpaikH  corrects  the  Com- 
mander-in-chief u|)on  llii.u  point — believing  that  Cien(<rul  Cain|)bell  was  another  |)cr< 
Bon,  who  was  atStaten  Island  at  tho  titnu  in  iiucstion,] 

t  Situat'.d  at  West  Toint. 

\  Letter  of  ("ommoduri-  Hotham  to  Sir  William  TIowo.  "Tho  whole  number  of 
cannon  taken  in  tho  three  forts  ainonnt  to  sixty-seven,  with  a  largo  quantity  of  pro- 
visions, ammunition,  and  storoii  of  all  kinds," 

§  The  ancient  Dutch  nime  of  Kinj;Ht()n,  tho  prrsont  shiro  town  of  tho  County  of 
rister,  N.  Y.  It  was  a  largo  and  wealthy  inland  town,  built  ahnost  entirely  of 
Itone,  upon  a  rich  and  bea\itilul  pliiiii  about  three  miles  from  the  river.  The  naked 
walls  of  many  of  (he  houses  destn  ycd  by  Ooiierul  Vauyhttii,  were  (landing,  unre- 
paired, until  willun  live  or  six  years. 


Ir  TTcnry 
lliltcll  was 

cull  him 

|in  Ameri- 

into  our 

iho  Com- 

)lhcr  per. 


|iunil)cr  of 
lly  of  pro- 

Mounty  of 
Itiliri'ly  of 
flio  naked 
Ug,  uiiro- 


1777.] 


PROGRESS    OF    TIIK    WAR. 


2S3 


sies,  to  New- York,  Colonel  Bird  was  detached  against  Peek- 
skill,  witli  five  hundred  men,  for  the  purpose  of  destroying 
the  American  stores  deposited  at  that  place.  General  M'Dou- 
gall,  commanding  a  small  guard  at  the  dep<H,  on  the  approach 
of  a  force  which  he  had  not  the  power  to  resist,  set  fire  to  the 
stores  and  retreated.  A  similar  expedition,  for  the  same  object, 
was  directed  against  Danbury  toward  the  close  of  April,  con- 
sisting of  two  thousand  men  under  the  conduct  of  Major  Gene- 
ral Tryon.  Landing  at  Compo  Creek,  between  Norwalk  and 
Fairfield,  the  march  of  Governor  Tryon  to  the  point  of  his  des- 
tination was  almost  unopposed.  A  large  quantity  of  provi- 
sions— beef,  pork,  and  flour — had  been  collected  by  the  Ameri- 
cans at  that  place,  which  were  guarded  only  by  about  one 
hundred  militia  and  Continental  troops.  Not  being  able  to  op- 
pose the  enemy.  Colonel  Huntington  retired  to  a  neighboring 
height,  and  awaited  reinforcements.  The  town  of  Danbury 
and  the  stores  were  burnt  on  the  2(ith  of  April.*  During  the 
afternoon  and  the  Ibllowing  night  Generals  Wooster,  Arnold, 
and  Silliman  collected  such  militia  forces  as  they  could,  for  the 
purpose  of  harassing  the  retreat  of  the  enemy  the  next  morning. 
With  three  hundred  men,  Wooster  gallantly  attacked  his  rear 
at  1 1  o'clock  on  the  27th,  while  Arnold,  with  five  hundred 
more,  awaited  his  arrival  at  Ridgeway.  Wooster  fell,  mortally 
wounded,  and  his  troops  were  obliged  to  give  way.  At  Ridge- 
way, Arnold  skirmished  with  the  enemy  for  about  an  hour,  but 
could  not  niaUe  a  stand,  or  prevent  them  from  remaining  at 
tliut  place  over  night.  On  the  2Slh,  the  march  of  the  enemy 
was  resumed,  as  also  was  the  skirmishing  by  General  Arnold, 
M'hich  was  continued  until  5  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  ;  when,  as 
they  approached  their  ships,  the  Americans  charged  with  in- 
trepidity, but  were  repulsed  and  broken.  Embarking  immedi- 
ately, (jiovernor  Tryon  returned  to  New- York,  with  a  loss  of 
one  bundle  I  and  seventy  men.  'JMio  loss  of  the  Anuiricans 
was  one  hundred.  Tliesc  predatory  excursions  were  retaliated 
by  the  Americans  inider  Colonel  Meigs,  who  made  a  brilliant 
oypedilion  against  ISag  Harbor,  where  the  enemy  had  collected 

♦  Till'  |)ro|)rrty  tlcslroyril  conointiHl  of  t'ij{litcr'n  liou»ios  j  oijjlit  liiitidrod  Imrroln  of 
poik  iinil  lu'ci';  ci;;!)!  luiiulrttl  barruls  of  Hour ;  two  tliouaniul  bimlielM  uf  grain,  and 
•uvuiituoii  huiidrod  timts. 


■'Ir 


284 


LIFE  OF  nuAxr. 


[1777. 


a  quantity  of  stores.  The  guard  was  taken  by  surprise — the 
place  carried  by  t!ie  bayonet — the  stores  destroyed,  inchiding 
twelve  transport  vessels — and  Colonel  Meifjs  re-crossed  the 
Sound  to  Guilford  without  the  loss  of  a  man. 

After  the  return  of  llie  British  forces  from  New  Jersey,  Sir 
William  Howe  suffered  them  to  remain  upon  Slaten  Island  un- 
til near  midsummer,  when,  as  the  reader  has  seen  in  a  previous 
chapter,  he  embarked  with  sixteen  thousand  men,  and  sailed 
for  the  Chesapeake  Bay.  On  the  2'lth  of  August  he  landed  at 
Elkton,  whence,  after  being  joined  by  Generals  Grant  and 
Knyphausen,  ho  directed  his  march  upon  Philadelphia.  Anti- 
cipating the  design  of  the  British  commander,  Washington 
threw  himself,  with  his  whole  disposable  force,  between  Sir 
William  and  Philadelphia,  for  the  purpose  of  intercepting  and 
bringing  him  to  a  general  engagement.  The  disastrous  battle 
of  Brandywine  was  Ibught  on  the  11th  of  September.  The 
loss  of  the  Americans  was  three  hundred  killed  and  six  hun- 
dred wounded  and  taken  prisoners.  That  of  the  enemy  was 
about  one  hundred  killed  and  four  hundred  wounded.  While 
General  Washington  with  the  main  army  retreated  across 
the  Schuylkill,  General  Wayne  was  left  at  the  Paoli  with  fif- 
teen hundred  men,  for  the  purpose  of  gaining  and  harassing 
the  enemy's  rear.  But,  notwithstanding  the  wonted  vigilance 
of  this  oflicor,  he  was  surprised  in  the  course  of  the  night,  and 
routed,  by  General  Gray,  who  had  been  detached  for  that  pur- 
pose with  two  regiments  of  the  enemy's  lino  and  a  body  of 
light  troo]is.  General  Wayne  had  atteinpfed  to  conceal  him- 
self upon  an  elevated  piece  of  woodland,  having  an  opening  of 
a  fc!W  acres  upon  which  his  troops  bivouacked  for  the  niglit, 
in  perfect  sectn-ily,  as  was  supposed.  The  approach  of  (ho 
enemy  was  so  cautious  as  to  take  the  Anierieans  cotnplete'y 
by  stirprise.  Guided  by  the  light  of  their  fires,  the  enemy 
succeeded  in  cutting  off  their  outposts  and  pickets  without 
noise,  and  then  rushed  upon  the  sleeping  eiurip  williout  firing 
n  giui,  and  depending  afone  upon  the  biyonet.  Three  hun- 
dred were  slain,  many  of  whom  were  triuisfixed  with  bayonets 
as  they  lay  sleeping  in  their  tents.  But,  though  surprised, 
General  Wayne  was  cool  and  self  |iossessed  ;  and,  as  tlic  ejiemy 
himself  acknowledged,    "  by  his  prudent  disi)osiiions"  in  tho 


i.  I 


1777.] 


PROGRESS    OF    THE    WAU. 


285 


r,  Sir 
diin- 
vioiis 
iailcd 
ed  at 
;  and 
Anti- 
nfjton 
n  Sir 
nr  nnd 
battle 
The 
c  liun- 
y  was 
While 
I  across 
iih  fif- 

115 

aiico 
,  and 

pur- 
ly  of 

him- 
nfr  of 
ni<j;Iit, 
the 
Icto'y 
ncMTiy 
ithont 

irinnr 

luui- 
yoiicts 
niscil, 
otipniy 
in  tiio 


moment  of  alarm,  succeeded  in  bringing  off  the  remainder  of 
his  troops.* 

General  Washington  had  taken  post  on  the  Eastern  bank  of 
the  Schuyllcill,  about  sixteen  miles  from  Germantown.  General 
Howe  marched  upon  Germantown  with  his  main  army,  where 
he  arrived  on  the  2(jth  of  September.  On  the  27th  Lord  Corn- 
wallis  took  possession  of  Philadelphia  without  resistance.  On 
the  4th  of  October,  the  battle  of  Germantown  was  fought,  in 
which  it  was  claimed  by  the  enemy  that  the  Americans  were 
defeated,  although  it  was,  in  fact,  a  drawn  battle.  This  action 
was  produced  by  an  attempt  of  the  Conunander-in-chief  to  ef- 
fect something  by  way  of  surprise.  Having  ascertained  tho 
situation  of  the  enemy,  the  Americans  marched  all  niglit,  and 
arrived  at  Germantown  at  daylight.  The  enemy  was  attacked 
upon  two  quarters,  in  both  of  which  the  Americans  were  suc- 
cessful. Indeed,  the  enemy,  as  it  was  afterward  ascertained, 
were  thrown  into  such  a  state  of  tumult  and  disorder,  and  sa 
panic-stricken,  that  a  retreat  to  Chester  had  been  resolved  upon. 
But  the  morning  was  so  excessively  dark  and  foggy,  that  nei- 
ther the  advantages  gained  by  the  Americans,  nor  the  confusion 

"oino  twenty  years  ago,  tho  citizen  soldiers  of  the  neit^hliorhood  of  iho  Paoli 
■  :  )  i\  wlU'cted  tlio  runmins  of  such  of  the  liriive  men  who  were  shiiii  on  lluit  oeen- 
>'..  .  ..ii  coiiJd  be  found,  nnd  interred  Iheni  on  tiio  fu'Ul  of  the  iniisscerp,  A  sniHll 
iDOund  WHS  raised  over  thnin,  which  id  walled  in,  and  surrouiuled  hy  a  plain  marble 
iiinnument — a  square  block,  with  an  urn  ut  the  to|>,  bearing  rnscripliona  upon  each 
of  tJii)  sides,  in  the  following  words  :  — 

FinsT  :  "Sucred  to  tho  memory  of  tlio  pnlriot!",  who,  on  fJiis  spot,  fell  a  sacrifice 
to  British  barbarity,  durmg  Ihe  strugijio  for  American  Independence,  dining  tlio 
night  of  the  20th  ofSepteinbcr,  1777." 

Second:  "  Hero  reposo  tho  reinoins  of  fifiy-tlirco  American  soldiers,  who  were 
tho  victims  of  colil-hlooded  cruelty  \n  tho  well-known  massacre  of  the  Paoli,  whilo 
>indor  tho  commiind  of  (ien.  Anthony  Wayne,  an  o!rKer,  whose  military  conduct, 
bruvory,  luid  humaiiily,  were  equally  con»picuouti  throu>^hoiit  the  Revolutionary 
war." 

Tmnn  :  "Tho  atrocious  massacre,  which  this  stone  comniomorafes,  was  perpe- 
trated by  British  troops  under  the  immediate  (rommand  of  Miij.  Oen.  Uray." 

FouKTii:  "This  niemnrial  in  honor  of  Revolutionary  |nilri(itism,  was  erected 
September  20,  ISl7,  by  the  Rep^ibliean  Aitillerihts  of  Clienler  County,  uidwl  by  tlifl 
contributions  of  their  f  llow-tilizin"." 

An  annual  military  parade  U  held  upon  this  inti^roslini;  field.  Tho  name—  T/i» 
PiuAi — is  tlerived  from  a  eelel>rated  tavern,  ot  two  miles  disinnce,  on  the  (Ireat 
LBn<Mi»ler  Rond,  whit  h  was  estoblisho<l  contemporaneously  with  the  ( 'orsiean  strug- 
gle for  iMdependenee,  and  named  in  honor  of  the  unfortunate  eliiefliuiT  of  that  enter- 
prise. It  bears  llio  saiiiu  iiuiuu  aliU. — Juionui  (./  u  VisU  lu  thr  JiiUl  o/  Bi'imihjwi.nr, 
by  tilt  mthor. 


u 


286 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1777. 


of  the  enemy,  could  be  perceived.  This  circnmstcance,  by  con- 
cealing from  the  Americans  the  true  situation  of  the  enemy, 
obliged  the  Commander-in-chief  to  act  with  more  caution  and 
less  expedition  than  iie  couid  have  wished  ;  and,  what  was 
still  more  unfortunate,  it  served  to  keep  the  different  divisions 
of  the  Americans  in  ignorance  of  each  other's  movements,  and 
prevent  their  acting  in  concert.  It  also  occasioned  them  to 
mistake  one  another  for  the  enemy.  In  this  situation,  it  was 
considered  unsafe  to  push  too  far  through  a  strong  village, 
while  enveloped  in  a  haze  so  thick  as  to  border  upon  positive 
darkness.  The  consequence  was  a  retreat,  by  the  Americans  at 
the  very  instant  when  victory  was  declaring  in  their  favor. 
The  action  lasted  two  hours,  and  the  fighting  was  severe — the 
loss  of  the  Americans  being  about  one  hundred  men,  killed, 
wounded,  and  missing.  Among  the  slain  was  the  brave  Gene- 
ral Nash,  of  North  Carolina.  Severe,  however,  as  the  action 
was,  the  enemy  were  rendered  nothing  better  by  the  event ; 
while  the  result  was  regarded  by  Washington  "as  rather  un- 
fortunate than  injurious."* 

But  all  the  advantages  thus  gained  by  the  enemy,  had  been 
more  than  counterbalanced  by  the  reverses  of  St.  IiCger,  and 
the  nearly  simultaneous  capture  of  Burgoyne  and  liis  well-ap- 
pointed army  at  the  Nortii.  Another  circumstance,  gratifying 
to  the  friends  of  the  American  arms,  was  the  repulse  of  Coiuit 

•  This  brief  account  of  llio  buttle  of  Ocrmantown  ia  drawn  from  Wasbington's 
letters  to  tbo  President  of  Congr(,'«s,  his  brother,  and  Governor  Trumbull.  General 
Wasiiinglon  attributed  Ibo  suceessoB  of  Sir  William  llowo  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
his  own  consriiuent  disasters,  to  the  apalby  and  disufFeclion  of  the  people  of  tliot 
State.  In  one  of  bis  letters  ujiou  the  subject,  ho  siiys : — "The  Norlhorn  army,  be- 
fore the  surrender  of  General  Hurgnync,  was  reinforced  by  upwarJ  of  twelve  hun- 
dred militia,  who  shut  the  only  door  by  which  Burgoyne  could  retreat,  and  cut  offull 
his  supplies.  How  diflirenl  our  case!  The  disallectiou  of  a  great  port  of  llio  in- 
habitants of  this  State,  tbo  lan<;;unrof  others,  and  the  internal  distraclionof  the  whole, 
have  been  among  the  greut  and  insuperable  dillieultics  which  I  havo  met  with,  and 
have  contributed  not  a  little  to  my  embarrassments  this  campaign." — Letter  oj 
WashinfftoH  to  Landon  Carter,  Oct,  27,  1777.  Many  other  letters  from  the  Com- 
monder-in-cliief,  written  during  tlio  winter  and  spring  of  1778,  complain  of  the  con- 
duct of  the  people  of  Pennsylvonia,  in  sup|)lying  the  enemy  in  Philadelphia  with  pro- 
vistona — particularly  from  Buckii  County.  In  a  letter  to  Moj.  General  Armstrong, 
of  that  Stale,  dated  at  Valley  Forgo,  March  87lh,  ho  saya:—"  The  situation  of  mat- 
ters in  this  State  la  mulanciioly  and  alarming.  We  havo  doily  proof  that  a  majority 
of  the  people  in  tliis  (piarter  are  only  restrained  from  supplying  the  enemy  with 
horses  and  every  kind  of  noressary,  throiigb  feor  of  punishment  j  and,  although  I 
have  made  a  number  of  levoie  examples,  I  cannot  put  a  stop  to  the  intorcourie." 


1777.] 


MIRDLIII    OF    TIIS    DEITZ    FAMILY. 


287 


Donop,  at  Rod  Bank.  Tlie  Count,  a  brave  and  experiencod 
officer,  fell,  mortally  wounded  ;  and  about  400  of  his  troops  were 
killed.*  The  laurels  won  by  Colonel  Christopher  Greene,  the 
American  commander,  on  that  occasion,  were  not  the  less 
creditably  woi-n  because  of  the  necessity  which  compelled  him 
subsequently  to  abandon  the  post,  on  the  approach  of  Cornwal- 
lis  with  a  greatly  superior  force. 

But  neither  the  full  of  Burgoyno,  nor  tiie  flight  of  St.  I.eger, 
relieved  the  border  settlements  beyond  Albany  from  their  ap- 
prehensions. Though  in  less  danger  of  a  sweeping  invasion, 
yet  the  scouts  ajid  scalping  parties  of  the  Tories  and  Indians 
were  continually  hovering  upon  their  outskirts  ;  and  so  crafty 
were  the  foe,  and  so  stealthy  their  movements,  that  no  neighbor- 
hood, not  even  the  most  populous  villages,  felt  themselves  secure 
from  those  sudden  and  bloody  irruptions  which  mark  the  annals 
of  Indian  warfare.  Very  soon  after  the  capture  of  I^urgoyne, 
there  was  an  occurrence  in  the  neighborhood  of  Albany,  of  a 
highly  painful  description.  Previous  to  the  commencement  of 
the  war,  a  militia  company  had  been  organized  in  the  town  of 
Berne,  comprising  eighty-five  men,  commanded  by  Captain 
Ball.  On  the  breaking  out  of  hostilities,  the  Captain,  with 
sixty-three  of  his  men,  went  over  to  the  enemy.  Thus  deserted 
by  their  leader,  the  command  of  the  residue  of  the  company 
devolved  upon  the  ensign,  Peter  l^eitz.  These  all  embraced 
the  cause  of  the  country,  and  for  tlie  safety  of  their  settlement 
threw  up  a  little  picketed  fort,  at  a  place  now  colled  the  Beaver 
Dam.  Deitz  was  soon  afterward  commissioned  a  captain,  and 
his  brother,  William  Deitz,  his  lieutenant.  On  the  approach 
of  Burgoyiic  they  marched  to  Saratoga,  and  joined  the  army  of 
Giites.  Here  the  Captain  was  killed  by  the  accidental  dis- 
charge of  the  gtni  of  one  of  his  own  men.  William  Deitz  im- 
mediately succeeded  to  the  vacancy  ;  and  renilered  such  good 
service  in  the  campaign  as  specially  to  incur  the  vengeance  of 
the  Tories  and  Indians.  Availing  themselves  of  an  early  op- 
portunity to  glut  their  hate,  a  party  of  them  stole  into  the  set- 


'-J 


■..<\\ 


^,i 


*  Count  Donop  dicvt  of  liii  wonndu  tlncc  iliivi  nftcr  tlin  notion,  nt  a  lioti»<on('nrtlio 
fort.  A  aliort  tiino  bcfuro  liitidciilli,  lie  otiid  to  Mdnsimr  Oiip!  ^sio,  a  Firncli  olVi- 
c<T  who  ronstuntly  oUondod  liiin  in  Inn  iilnoHH,  "  It  ix  tlniiliins;  ii  noble  ciirrnr  curly. 
I  (ill!  tlin  viilim  of  my  nnibition,  and  of  llic  nvaricc  of  my  sovereign. "—  Traveh  o/ 
the  Matquia  CliuittUiix. 

A\ 


288 


Life  of  brant. 


[1777. 


tieinent  of  Berne,  where  they  surprised  and  made  prisoner  of 
the  Captain  in  his  own  house.  They  next  brought  him  forth 
into  the  court,  bound  him  to  the  gate-post,  and  then  succes- 
sively brought  out  his  father  and  mother,  his  wife  and  children, 
and  dehberately  murdered  them  all  before  his  eyes !  The 
Captain  was  himself  carried  a  prisoner  to  ISiagara,  where  he 
ultimately  fell  a  sacrifice  to  their  cruelty.*  An  instance  of 
more  cool  and  fiend-like  barbarity  does  not  occur  jn  the  annals 
of  this  extraordinary  contest.  It  was  only  equalled  by  the  con- 
duct of  the  Tories  afterward  at  Wyoming,  and  transcended  by 
th(!  refinement  of  cruelty  practised  by  a  French  officer,  during 
one  of  the  earlier  wars  of  the  Indians,  upon  an  unhappy 
prisoner  among  the  remote  tribe  of  the  Uionnndadies,  as  relat- 
ed by  La  Potherie.t 

Other  incidents  occurred  at  yllbany  and  in  its  neighborhood, 
at  about  the  same  period,  which  are  deemed  worthy  of  note. 
At  the  time  of  Sir  John  Johnson's  flight  from  Johnstown,  his 
lady  had  remained  behind,  and  was  removed  immediately,  or 
soon  afterward,  to  Albany.  It  was  in  this  year  that  Mr.  John 
To.ylor,t  after  having  performed  several  important  confidential 
services  under  the  direction  of  CJcneral  Schuyler,  was  appoint- 
ed a  member  of  the  Albany  Council  of  Safety,  lie  was  a  man 
of  great  shrewdness  and  sagacity,  deliberate  in  the  formation  of 
his  purposes,  and  resolute  in  their  execution  when  matured. 
The  Whigs  of  Albany  were  greatly  annoyed  during  the  whole 
contest  by  the  loyalists  resident  among  them ;  many  of  whom,  it 
was  discovered  from  time  to  time,  must  have  been  in  corres- 
pondence with  the  enemy.  The  duties  of  the  Council  of 
Safety  were  consequently  the  more  arduous,  requiring  sleepless 
vigilance  and  unwearied  activity  ;  together  with  firmness  and 
energy  in  some  cases,  and  great  delicacy  in  others.  A  watch- 
ful though  general  surveillance  was  necessarily  enforced  oV'^r 

♦  Alt)any  Montlily  Miigaiino,  conductrd  I»y  the  Into  IFornlio  Q.  Spnnbrd,  1S15. 

}  Vide  Coldcn'a  Cinittda,  iind  Smilli'a  History  ol'Nc«-Vork. 

I  Tlic  gcntieriian  lu;rc  rt'Cerrid  to  wua  imiili  in  the  i'i\il  Bcrvicc,  ond  occosionolly 
as  a  voluntorr  in  tiio  military,  duritii;  tiio  war  of  llio  lUivolntiun,  and  was  almost 
constantly  in  pulilic  lift-,  nfttrward  in  tiio  roiincils  of  tlio  State,  until  within  a  fpw 
years  of  his  death.  IIo  was  nine  years  l.ii  utenant-tiovernor,  ond  Tor  a  timo  the 
acting  Governor  of  Ihn  State  ;  to  wiii(h  xtatJon  he  was  first  chosen  in  1813.  Hit 
hfo  wai  rather  useful  than  iirilliant ;  hut  ho  was  u  fiuund  patriot,  and  died  the  death 
ofa(:iiristi.»n  in  IH-iiJ— aged  87. 


1' ' 


./  /  / 


■•] 


JOHN'    TAVl.OIl    AND    LAl.'V    .lOtlN^O.V. 


283 


1815. 

lionolly 
alinoHt 

a  fpw 

mo  the 

Ilia 

deatli 


the  community  at  largo,  while  an  eye  of  closer  scrutiny  was 
kept  upon  the  character  and  conduct  of  great  numbers  of  indi- 
viduals composing  that  community.  Mr.  Taylor  was  in  every 
respect  equal  to  the  station,  and  was  singularly  fortunate  both 
in  detectinij  and  defeating  the  evil  machinations  of  the  adhe- 
rents  of  the  Crown. 

Among  his  early  discoveries  was  tlie  important  circumstance 
tliat  Lady  Johnson  was  in  active  and  frequent  correspondence 
with  her  husband,  and  that  the  facilities  derived  from  confi- 
dential agents  and  lier  powerful  connexions,  enabled  her  to 
keep  the  enemy  on  either  sidt^  — in  New- York  and  Canada — 
correctly  advisod,  i  ily  of  the  movenif^nts  and  designs  of 
each  other,  b  like\v  of  the  situation  o  ...xnerican  affairs. 
Under  tbcac  circumstances  I\Ir.  Taylor  proposed  a  resolution 
to  the  Council,  directing  her  removal  forthwith  from  that  part 
of  the  country.  The  proposition  was  received  with  disfavor, 
and  encountered  much  opposition  in  the  Council.  Some  of 
the  members  seemed  to  lack  the  firmness  necessary  to  adopt 
such  a  resolution,  anticipating  the  resentment  and  probable 
vengeance  of  the  Baronet,  on  hearing  that  his  lady  had  been 
treated  with  any  thing  bordering  upon  harshness  ;  while  others, 
protably,  thought  the  precaution  cither  would  be  useless,  or 
that  it  was  scarce  worth  while  thus  to  wage  war  upon  a 
woman.  Convinced,  however,  of  the  danger  of  her  longer 
presence  in  that  section  of  the  country,  Mr.  Taylor  urged  her 
removal  so  strenuously  as  at  length  to  prevail ;  taking  upon 
himself  the  execution  of  the  order. 

Sir  .Tohn,  greatly  exaspiM'atod  at  the  measure,  availed  himself 
of  a  flag  to  admonish  the  mover  of  the  resolution,  that  should 
the  chances  of  war  throw  that  gentleman  into  his  possession, 
ho  should  be  instantly  delivered  over  to  the  fury  of  the  savages. 
The  roply  of  the  Councillor  was  characteristic  of  the  man  : — 
"  If  Mp.  Taylor  should  be  so  fortunate  os  to  have  Sir  John 
"  Johnson  in  his  power,  he  should  most  assuredly  be  treated  as 
"  a  gentleman."  Sevend  attempts  were  subsequently  made  by 
the  enemy,  probably  undcn*  the  direction  of  Sir  John,  to  make 
a  captive  of  ihut  gentleman.  It  being  his  custom  to  ride  fre- 
quently on  horseback  for  exercise,  and  often  on  the  road  lead- 
ing toward  Schenectady,  in  comiKUiy,  generally,  with  his  inti- 
mate friend  through  life,  IMajor  I'ophain,  who  was  then  in  the 


,1: 


.1 


!0- 


:^  t 


u 


290 


Liri:   OF   B II A  XT. 


[1777. 


military  family  of  General  James  Clinton,  a  small  scout  of  In- 
dians, under  tlie  direction  of  Captain  Brant,  was  on  one  occa- 
sion planted  in  ambush  upon  that  road,  at  a  point  where  it  was 
supposed  he  would  be  sure  to  pass.  Providentially,  however, 
and  for  reasons  never  explained,  and  perhaps  not  known  to 
themselves,  on  the  morning  referred  to  the  friends  shortened 
their  ride,  and  Avheeled  about  without  passing  the  ambuscade, 
though  approaching  it  within  striking  distance.  One  of  the 
Indians,  afterward  taken  prisoner,  stated  that  Mr.  Taylor  might 
easily  have  been  shot,  but  that  their  orders  were  to  take  him 
alive. 

Another,  and  a  yet  bolder  scheme  was  subsequently  adopted 
to  effect  the  capture  of  the  sagacious  Committee-man,  for  which 
purpose  a  party  of  the  enemy  were  actually  introduced  not 
only  into  the  city  of  Albany,  but  into  the  loft  of  Mr.  Taylor's 
own  stable,  standing  in  the  ^ear  of  his  house  and  upon  the 
margin  of  the  river.  In  order,  moreover,  to  fixcilitate  their 
flight  with  the  intended  captive,  a  canoe  had  been  procured 
and  moored  at  the  water's  edge.  Their  design  was  to  enter 
the  house  in  the  night,  and  seize  and  bear  him  silently  away. 
One  of  the  servants  happening  to  step  into  the  yard  after  the 
family  had  retired  to  rest,  the  lurking  foes  thought  the  time  for 
n  rush  had  arrived.  But  in  their  preparations  to  spring  for- 
ward they  alarmed  the  servant  too  soon,  and  lie  was  enabled  to 
get  back  into  the  house,  bolt  the  door,  and  give  timely  warn- 
ing.    The  insidious  purpose  was  of  course  frustrated.* 

Nor  were  these  the  only  hostile  attempts  directed,  at  about 
the  same  period,  against  individuals  at  Albany ;  General 
Schuyler  was  again  selected  for  a  victim  even  of  assassination. 
Smarting  under  their  disappointment  in  the  overthrow  of  Bur- 
goyne,  to  which  discomfiture  the  energy  and  efforts  of  Schuyler 
had  so  essentially  contributed,  a  conspiracy  was  formed  either 
to  capture  or  destroy  him.  For  this  purpose  the  Tories  cor- 
rupted n  white  man,  who  had  been  patronised  by  the  General, 
and  who  was  even  then  in  his  employment,  to  do  the  foul  deed, 
and  also  one  of  the  friendly  Indians,  whose  clan  had  for  years 

♦  Thfl  CixvU  in  this  pl.itcmcnt  rr9]>rr1in;;  I.mly  Johnson  and  Mr.  Taylor,  havo 
bern  durivod  fiotn  tin  n.xlendi'il  hio-^inpliicnl  skntcli  of  the  hitter,  written  by  lii^  sur- 
viving fri'Mid,  tlio  vc.ncrnblo  Mnjnr  William  Popham,  nnd  also  from  a  letlor  ud- 
dicBst'd  to  the  nullior  by  Gcnerul  Joim  T.  Cooper. 


1777.] 


FRESH    ALARMS    IX    TRVOX    COUXTV. 


291 


ir,  Imvo 
his  8ur- 
tlur  ud- 


been  in  the  habit  of  hunting  upon  his  premises  in  Saratoga, 
during  the  fishing  season  at  Fish  Creek,  which  ran  through  his 
farm,  and  in  which  immense  quantities  offish  were  then  taken.* 
To  effect  their  object,  the  two  assassins  took  their  station  un- 
der a  covert,  in  a  valley  about  half  a  mile  from  the  General's 
premises,  and  by  which  they  had  previously  ascertained  he  was 
shortly  to  pass.  They  soon  descried  his  approach  on  horseback. 
As  he  advanced,  they  took  deliberate  aim  ;  when,  with  a  sudden 
movement,  the  Indian  struck  up  his  associate's  gun  with  the 
exclamation — ''  I  cannot  kill  him  :  I  have  eaten  his  bread  too 
often  P''\ 

Early  in  the  Autumn,  the  inhabitants  of  Unadilla  and  the 
contiguous  settlements  in  that  direction,  were  again  imploring 
the  commander  of  Fort  Schuyler  for  a  detachment  of  troops  to 
protect  them  from  another  expedition,  which,  the  Oneidas  had 
informed  them,  Colonels  Johnson  and  Butler  were  getting  on 
loot  at  Oswego.  The  project,  according  to  the  news  obtained 
from  the  Oneidas,  contemplated  a  simultaneous  descent  of  the 
Tories  and  Indians  upon  five  different  points,  comprehending 
all  the  principal  settlements  west  of  Schenectady.  These  un- 
pleasant tidings  were  in  some  degree  confirmed,  by  the  disco- 
very of  a  large  scouting  party  of  the  enemy  on  the  Sacondaga, 
at  the  north  of  Johnstown. 

The  alarm  was  increased,  toward  the  close  of  October,  by 
the  arrival  of  an  express  at  the  Canajoharie  Castle,  annoinicing 
that  within  a  few  days  Sir  John  .lohnson  would  return  to  Os- 
wego, with  six  hundred  regular  troops  and  a  large  body  of  In- 
dians. It  was  stated  that  Sir  John  hud  succeeded  in  raising 
twenty-two  Indian  nations  in  arms  against  the  Colonists.  They 
were  about  sending  a  belt  to  the  Oneidas,  and  in  the  event  of 
their  refusal  to  take  up  the  hatchet  with  their  brethren  in  be- 
half of  the  King,  they  were  themselves  to  be  attacked  as  the 
first  measure  of  the  invasion.  These  facts  were  immediately 
communicated  to  General  Schuyler  by  a  letter  dated  October 
25th,  announcing  also  the  fliglit,  to  the  ranks  of  Sir  John 

♦  Tlin  herring  fishery  was  considcrnijlo  nt  Fish  Conk  nt  the  period  referred  to. 
The  Indians  took  them  in  largo  quantities— dried  and  pounded  tliem  into  powder, 
which  lliey  mixed  with  corn-meal,  and  packed  away  in  boxes  made  of  hark,  for  future 
consumption. 

t  Facts  communicated  to  the  author  by  Mrs.  James  Coehrnn  of  Oswego, 


m 


1 


■  r 

f! 


ii| 


li'   I 


'» . 


I    I 


i 


292 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1777. 


Johnson,  of  Hon-Yost  Schuyler,  and  twelve  or  fourteen  of  his 
neighbors  at  Fall  Hill  and  in  that  vicinity,  as  heretofore  stated. 
Tiie  letter  contained  a  strong  appeal  for  an  additional  force  to 
defend  the  valley — with  an  assurance,  that  in  the  event  of  re- 
ceiving no  farther  means  of  security,  the  greater  part  of  the 
inhabitants  had  become  so  discouraged  that  they  would  proba- 
bly lay  down  their  arms  ;*  in  other  words,  throw  themselves 
upon  the  protection  of  the  King. 

But,  after  all  the  alarm,  nothing  very  serious  resulted  from 
these  threatening  indications  during  the  residue  of  the  year  1777. 
Still  the  Congress  was  unwilling  that  the  year  should  close 
without  making  one  more  effort  to  win  back  the  Six  Nations 
from  the  British  service,  at  least  to  a  state  of  neutrality,  if  no- 
thing more.  With  this  view,  on  the  3d  of  December  the  fol- 
lowing address  to  the  Indians  of  those  Nations  was  reported  by 
the  Committee  on  Indian  affairs,  and  adopted.  It  is  inserted  at 
length  in  this  order,  on  account  of  its  eloquence,  and  its  sur- 
passing excellence  among  the  documents  connected  with  the 
Indian  diplomacy  of  the  republic  : — 

Address  of  the  Congress  to  the  Six  Nations. 

*' Brothers,  Sachems,  and  Warriors:  The  great  coun- 
cil of  the  United  States  call  now  for  your  attention.  Open 
your  ears  that  you  may  hear,  and  your  hearts  that  you  may 
understand. 

"  When  the  people  on  the  other  side  of  the  great  water,  with- 
out any  cause,  sought  our  destruction,  and  sent  over  their  ships 
and  their  warriors  to  fight  against  us,  and  to  take  away  our 
possessions,  you  might  reasonably  have  expected  us  to  ask  for 
your  assistance.  If  we  are  enslaved,  you  cannot  be  free.  For 
our  strength  is  greater  than  yours.  If  they  would  not  spare 
their  own  brothers  of  the  same  flesh  and  blood,  would  they 
spare  you  ?  If  they  burn  our  houses  and  ravage  our  lands, 
could  yours  be  secure  ? 

"But,  Brothers,  we  acted  on  very  ditlorent  principlesj.. 
Far  from  desiring  you  to  hazard  your  lives  in  our  quarrel,  we 
advised  you  to  remain  still  in  ease  and  at  peace.  We  even  en- 
treated you  to  remain  neuter :  and  under  the  shade  of  your 

♦  MS.  letter  to  General  Schuyler— Secretary's  office,  Albany. 


i 


I': 

;  I 


/7. 


1777.] 


ADDRESS    TO    THE    SIX    NATIONS. 


293 


trees  and  by  the  side  of  your  streams,  to  smoke  your  pipe  iii 
safety  and  contentment.  Though  pressed  by  our  enemies,  and 
when  their  ships  obstructed  our  supplies  of  arms  and  powder 
and  clothing,  we  were  not  unmindful  of  your  wants.  Of  what 
was  necessary  for  our  own  use,  we  cheerfully  spared  you  a 
part.     More  we  should  have  done,  had  it  been  in  our  power. 

"  Brotheks,  Cayugas,  Senegas,  Tuscaroras,  and  Mo- 
hawks: Open  your  ears  and  hear  our  complaints.  Why  have 
you  listened  to  tlie  voice  of  our  enemies?  Why  have  you  suf- 
fered Sir  John  Joluison  and  Butler  to  mislead  you  ?  Why 
have  you  assisted  General  St.  Legcr  and  his  warriors  from  the 
other  side  of  the  great  water,  by  giving  them  a  free  passage 
through  your  country  to  annoy  us ;  which  both  you  and  we 
solemnly  promised  should  not  be  defiled  with  blood  1  Why 
have  you  suffered  so  many  of  your  nations  to  join  them  in 
their  cruel  purpose  ?  Is  this  a  suitable  return  for  our  love  and 
kindness,  or  did  you  suspect  that  we  were  too  weak  or  too 
cowardly  to  defend  our  country,  and  join  our  enemies  that  yo'i 
might  come  in  for  a  siiare  of  the  plunder  ?  What  has  been 
gained  by  this  unprovoked  treachery  ?  what  but  shame  and  dis- 
grace !  Your  foolish  warriors  and  their  new  allies  have  been 
defeated  and  driven  back  in  every  quarter  ;  and  many  of  them 
justly  paid  the  price  of  their  rashness  with  their  lives.  Sorry 
are  we  to  find  that  our  ancient  chain  of  union,  heretofore  so 
strong  and  bright,  should  be  broken  by  such  poor  and  weak 
instruments  as  Sir  John  Johnson  and  Butler,  who  dare  not 
show  their  faces  among  their  countrymen  ;  and  by  St.  Leger,  a 
stranger  whom  you  never  knew  !  Wliat  has  become  of  the 
spirit,  the  wisdom,  and  the  justice  of  your  nations  ?  Is  it  pos- 
sible that  you  should  barter  away  your  ancv^nt  glory,  and 
break  througfh  the  most  solemn  treaties  for  a  few  blankets  or  a 
little  rum  or  powder?  That  trifles  such  as  these  should  prove 
any  temptation  to  you  to  cut  down  the  strong  tree  of  friendship^ 
by  our  common  ancestors  planted  in  the  deep  bowels  of  the 
earth  at  Onondaga,  your  central  council-fire  ?  That  tree  which 
has  been  watered  and  nourished  by  their  children  until  the 
branches  had  almost  reached  the  skies  !  As  well  might  we  have 
expected  that  the  mole  should  overturn  the  vast  mountains  of 
the  Alleghany,  or  that  the  birds  of  the  air  should  drink  up  the 
waters  of  Ontario ! 


iW  1 

ii  ■ 


'■., 


il 


! 


294 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1777. 


"Brothers,  Cayugas,  Senegas,  Onondagas,  and  Mo- 
hawks :  Look  into  your  hearts,  and  be  attentive.  Much  are 
you  to  blame,  and  greatly  have  you  wronged  us.  Be  wise  in  time. 
Be  sorry  and  mend  your  faults.  The  great  council,  though  the 
blood  of  our  friends,  who  fell  by  your  tomahawks  at  the  German 
Flatts,  cries  aloud  against  you,  will  yet  be  patient.  \Vc  do  not 
desire  to  destroy  you.  I^ong  have  we  been  at  peace ;  and  it 
is  still  our  wish  to  bury  the  hatchet,  and  wipe  away  the  blood 
which  some  of  you  have  so  unjustly  shed.  Till  time  should 
be  no  more,  we  wish  to  smoke  with  you  the  calumet  of  friend- 
ship around  your  central  fire  at  Onondaga.  But,  Brothers, 
mark  well  what  we  now  tell  you.  Let  it  sink  deep  as  the  bot- 
tom of  the  sea,  and  never  be  forgotten  by  you  or  your  children. 
If  ever  again  you  lake  up  the  hatchet  to  strike  us — if  you  join 
our  enemies  in  battle  or  council — if  you  give  them  intelligence, 
or  encourage  or  permit  them  to  pass  through  your  country  to 
molest  or  hurt  any  of  our  people — we  shall  look  on  you  as  our 
enemies,  and  treat  you  as  the  worst  of  enemies,  who,  under  a 
cloak  of  fiiendsliip,  cover  your  bad  designs,  and  like  the  con- 
cealed adder,  only  wait  for  an  opportunity  to  wound  us  when 
we  are  most  unprepared. 

"Brothers:  Believe  us  who  never  deceive.  If,  after  all 
our  good  counsel  and  all  our  care  to  prevent  it,  we  must  take 
up  the  hatchet,  the  blood  to  be  shed  will  lie  heavy  on  your 
heads.  The  hand  of  the  thirteen  United  States  is  not  short. 
It  will  reach  to  the  farthest  extent  of  the  country  of  the  Six 
Nations  ;  and  while  we  have  right  on  our  side,  the  good  Spirit, 
whom  we  serve,  w'll  enable  us  to  punish  you,  and  put  it  out 
of  your  power  to  do  us  farther  mischief. 

"Brothers,  Oneidas  and  Tuscaroras  :  Hearken  to 
what  we  have  to  say  to  you  in  particular.  It  rejoices  our 
hearts  that  we  have  no  reason  to  reproach  you  in  common 
with  the  rest  of  the  Six  Nations.  "We  have  experienced  your 
love,  strong  as  the  oak,  and  your  fidelity,  unchangeable  as 
truth.  You  have  kept  fast  hold  of  the  ancient  covenant  chain, 
and  preserved  it  free  from  rust  and  decay,  and  bright  as  silver. 
Like  brave  men,  for  glory  you  despised  danger ;  yojn  stood 
forth  in  the  cause  of  your  friends,  and  ventured  your  lives  in 
our  battles.  While  the  sun  and  moon  continue  to  give  light 
to  the  world,  we  shall  love  and  respect  you.     As  our  trusty 


/ 


1777.] 


ADDRESS    TO    THE    SIX    NATIONS. 


295 


•t,. 


silver, 
stood 


friends,  we  shall  protect  you,  and  shall  at  all  times  consider  your 
welfare  as  our  own. 

"  Brothers  op  the  Six  Nations  :  Open  your  ears  and 
listen  attentively.  It  is  long  ago  that  we  explained  to  you  our 
quarrel  with  the  people  on  the  other  side  of  the  great  water. 
Remember  that  our  cause  is  just ;  you  and  your  forefathers 
have  long  seen  us  allied  to  those  people  in  friendship.  By  our 
labor  and  industry  they  flourished  like  the  trees  of  the  forest, 
and  became  exceedingly  rich  and  proud.  At  length  nothing 
would  satisfy  them,  unless,  like  slaves,  we  would  give  them  the 
power  over  our  whole  substance.  Because  we  would  not  yield 
to  such  shameful  bondage,  they  took  up  the  hatchet.  You  have 
-seen  them  covering  our  coasts  with  their  ships,  and  a  part  of 
our  country  with  their  warriors  ;  but  you  have  not  seen  us  dis- 
mayed ;  on  the  contrary,  you  know  that  we  have  stood  rirm 
like  rocks,  and  fought  like  men  who  deserved  to  be  frt  e.  You 
know  that  we  have  defeated  St.  Leger,  and  conquered  Tliirgoyne 
and  all  their  warriors.  Our  chief  men  and  our  v.^rriors  r.re 
now  fiarhting  against  the  rest  of  our  enemies,  and  we  trust  t  :;t 
the  Great  Spirit  will  soon  put  them  in  our  power,  or  enauiu  us 
to  drive  them  all  far  beyond  the  great  waters. 

"Brothers  :  Believe  us  that  they  led  their  OK'a  v'oakncss, 
and  that  they  are  unable  to  subdue  the  thirteen  Lnited  States. 
Else  why  have  they  not  left  our  Indian  brethren  in  peace,  as 
they  first  promised  and  we  wished  to  have  done  ?  Why  have 
they  endeavored,  by  cunning  speeches,  by  falsehood  and  mis- 
representations, by  strong  drink  and  presents,  to  -mbitter  the 
minds  and  darken  the  understandings  of  all  our  Indian  friends 
on  this  great  continent,  from  the  North  to  the  South,  and  to  en- 
gage them  to  take  up  the  hatchet  against  us  without  any  pro- 
vocation ?  The  Clierokecs,  like  some  of  you,  were  prevailed 
upon  to  strike  our  people.  We  carrie''  ihe  war  into  their  coun- 
try, and  fought  them.  They  saw  tl'  !;•  error,  they  repented, 
and  we  forgave  them.  The  United  States  are  kind  and  merci- 
ful, and  wish  for  peace  with  all  the  world.  We  have,  therefore, 
renewed  our  ancient  covenant  cluiui  with  their  nation. 

"  Brothers  :  The  Shawanose  and  Dclawarcs  give  us  daily 
proofs  of  their  good  disposition  and  their  attachment  to  us,  and 
are  ready  to  assist  U:-  against  all  our  enemies.  "The  Chicka- 
saws  are  amono-  the  number  of  our  faithful  friends.     And  the 

12 


,  I 


♦i; 

A 
*' 

.'1 


J 


)    ' 


1 
i 


f 


296 


LlKIi    OK    KUANT 


[1777. 


Ill 


i 


Choctaws,  though  remote  from  us,  have  refused  to  hsten  to  the 
persuasions  of  our  enemies,  rejected  all  their  offers  of  corrup- 
tion, and  continue  peaceable.  The  Creeks  are  also  our  steady- 
friends.  Oboylaco,  their  great  chief,  and  the  rest  uf  their 
sachems  and  warriors,  as  the  strongest  mark  of  their  sincere 
friendship,  liave  presented  the  great  council  with  an  eagle's 
tail  and  rattle  trap.  They  have  desired  that  these  tokens  might 
be  shown  to  the  Six  Nations  and  tlieir  allies,  to  convince  them 
that  the  Creeks  are  at  peace  with  the  United  States.  We  have 
therefore  directed  our  commissioners  to  deliver  them  into  your 
hands.  Let  them  be  seen  by  all  the  nations  in  your  alliance, 
and  preserved  in  your  central  council  louse  at  Onondaga. 

"  Brotiikrs,  Sachems  and  Waruior.s  of  the  Six  Na- 
tions :  Hearken  to  our  counsel.  Let  us  who  are  born  on  the 
same  great  continent,  love  one  another.  Our  interest  is  the 
same,  and  we  ought  to  be  one  people,  always  ready  to  assist 
and  serve  each  other.  What  arc  the  people  who  belong  to  the 
other  side  of  the  great  waters  to  either  of  us  ?  They  never  come 
here  for  our  sakes,  but  to  gratify  their  own  pride  and  avarice. 
Their  business  now  is  to  kill  and  destroy  our  inhabitants,  to 
lay  waste  our  houses  anc.  rnis.  The  day,  we  trust,  will  soon 
arrive,  when  we  shall  be  "id  of  them  forever.  Now  is  the  time 
to  hasten  and  secure  this  Viuppy  event.  Let  us  then,  from  this 
moment,  join  liand  and  heart  in  the  defence  of  our  common 
country.  Let  us  rise  as  one  man,  and  drive  away  our  cruel 
oppressors.  Henceforward  let  none  be  able  to  separate  us.  If 
any  of  our  p  topio  injtue  yon,  acquaint  us  of  it  and  you  may 
depend  upon  full  satisfaetion.  If  any  of  yours  hurt  us,  be  you 
ready  to  repair  the  wrong  or  j)unish  the  aggressor.  Above  all, 
fihul  your  ears  against  liars  and  dccoivers,  who,  like  false  ujcte- 
ors,  strive  to  lead  you  astray,  and  to  set  us  at  varionce.  IJclicvo 
no  evil  of  us  till  you  have  taken  |)aius  to  discover  the  truth. 
Our  council-lire  always  burns  clear  and  bright  in  Pennsylvania. 
Our  conunissionors  and  agents  are  near  your  coimfry.  Wo 
shall  not  be  blinded  by  false  reports  or  fiiKse  appearances. 

"  nuornERM :  What  may  be  f.irlher  necessary  at  this  time 
for  our  common  good  you  will  learn  from  our  oonnnissioners, 
who  sit  round  our  eouueiMire  at  Albany.  Menr  what  they 
say,  lujd  treasure  it  up  in  your  hearts,     l-'an-well." 

This  appeal  produced  no  elloot.     It  wiw  oiio  of  the  misfor- 


1777.] 


CLosn  0?  Tii::  vkar. 


297 


'  lit 


MHO 

crs, 
lev 


i>r- 


tuiics  incident  to  the  nnvorcy  of  tlie  country  at  that  crisis,  that 
Congress  was  unable  to  conciliate  the  friendship  of  the  Indians, 
by  such  a  Hberal  dispensation  of  presents  as  they  had  been  in 
the  habit  of  receiving  from  the  superintendents  of  the  crown, 
and  as  they  were  yet  enabled  to  receive  from  the  British  go- 
vernment at  or  by  the  way  of  Montreul.  Thayendanegen,  ear- 
ly in  the  preceding  year,  had  taunted  General  Herkimer,  at 
Unadillo,  with  the  poverty  of  the  Contincnt;il  government, 
which,  he  said,  was  not  able  to  give  the  Indians  a  blanket. 
The  fact  was  but  too  true ;  and  the  officers  of  the  crown  were 
not  slow  in  availing  themselves  of  it,  not  only  by  appeals  to 
their  cupidity,  but  by  a  nwre  lavish  bestowment  of  presents 
than  ever.  Thus  Gny  Johnson,  in  one  of  his  speeches  to  the 
Six  Nations  at  the  West,  put  the  significant  questions  to  them: 
"Are  they,"  (the  rebels,  as  he  probably  cilled  them)  "able  to 
"  give  you  any  thing  more  than  a  piece  of  bread  and  a  glass  of 
"rum?  Arc  you  willing  to  go  with  them,  and  suffer  them  to 
"make  Iiorses  and  oxen  of  you,  to  put  you  to  the  wheelbar- 
"  rows,  and  to  bring  us  all  into  slavery?"  While,  therefore, 
the  Americans  were  unable  to  fmnish  the  Indians  with  those 
necessaries  of  life,  for  a  supply  of  which  they  had  become  ac- 
customed to  rely  upon  the  white  man,  they  found  an  abundance 
of  stores  at  Montreal,  wide  open  at  their  approach.  And  under 
these  circumstances,  with  the  single  exceptions  of  the  Oneidas, 
and  the  feeble  band  of  the  Tuscaroras,  all  the  efforts  of  Con- 
gress to  conciliate  their  friendship,  or  even  to  persuade  them  to 
neutrality,  proved  unavailing. 

Thus  ended  the  military  operations  of  the  year  1777.  At  tho 
close  of  the  Pennsylvania  campaign,  the  British  army  went  into 
winter  quarters  in  Philiidolphia,  and  the  American  ut  Valley 
Forge.  On  tho  Ifilh  day  of  November,  what  are  now  calhtd  tho 
old  "  Articles  of  Confederation  ond  Perpetual  Union,"  between 
the  ihirtocn  Colonies,  were  adopted  by  Congress;  and  on  tho  22d 
of  the  same  month,  it  was  resolved  tlwit  all  pro[)osals  for  a  trea- 
ty between  tho  United  States  and  Onuit  Britain,  inconsistent 
vith  tho  independence  of  the  former,  should  be  rejected.  It  was 
likewise  farther  resolved,  that  no  conference  should  bo  held 
with  any  commissioners  on  the  partof  Oreat  Britain,  unless,  as 
n  measure  prelimiiuiry,  tho  llccts  and  armies  of  that  power 
were  willidrawn. 


..M 


rt 

4   i 


►  J.' 


I' 


if. 


III 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


Treoty  of  alliance  with  France — Policy  of  France — Incidents  of  the  Winter — Pro- 

{'ected  expedition  against  St.  Johns — Lafayette  appointed  to  the  command  of  tho 
^orth — Failure  of  the  enterprise  for  lack  of  means — Disappointment  and  chagrin 
of  Lafayette — Unpleasant  indications  respecting  tho  Western  Indians — Indian 
council  at  Johnstown — Attended  by  Lafayette — Its  proceedings — And  result — 
Reward  ofli;red  for  Major  Carleton— Letter  of  Lafayette — He  retires  from  tho 
Northern  Department — Iloturn  of  the  loyalists  for  tlu^ir  families — Unn|)posrd — 
Thiiir  augressions — Prisoners  carried  into  Canada — Their  fate — Re-appcarancn 
of  Brunt  at  Os;hkwagaand  Unadilia — Anccdoteot'Brnnt — Comparative  cruelty  of 
the  Tories  and  Indians — Murder  of  a  family — Exposed  situation  of  the  people — 
Captain  Mclvean — Sends  a  challenge  to  Brant — Burning  of  ypringfield — First 
battle  in  Schoharie. 

The  opening  of  the  year  1778  was  marked  by  nn  event 
that  difrnsod  universal  joy  among  the  people.  It  had  been 
riglitly  judged  by  American  statesmen,  that,  sinartingnnder  the 
loss  which  France  had  experienced  by  the  war  ending  in  1703, 
of  her  broad  North  American  possessions,  the  government  of 
that  country  would  be  nothing  loth  to  aid  in  the  infliction  of  a 
like  dismemberment  of  territory  upon  Great  Hritain.  "Willi  a 
view,  therefore,  of  cultivating  friendly  relations  with  France, 
and  deriving  assistance  from  her  if  possible.  Commissioners 
had  been  despatched  to  tho  Court  of  Versailles,  in  177G,  with 
the  plan  of  a  treaty  of  amity  and  conmiercc  to  be  submitted  to 
that  govcrmiient.  Still,  more  than  a  year  had  elapsed,  during 
which  tho  Commissioners*  had  been  exerting  themselves  to  tho 
utmost,  to  obtain  a  recognition  of  the  Independence  of  tho 
United  States  without  success.  It  was  evident  that  Franco 
looked  upon  the  revolt  of  the  American  Colonies  with  serret 
satisfaction  ;  but  she  had  been  so  much  weakened  by  tho 
fornier  contest,  that  time  was  needed  for  repose  and  recovery  of 
her  strength.  Hence,  from  tho  arrival  of  tho  (Jommissioners  in 
the  French  capital,  in  December  1770,  to  the  close  of  1777, 
Ihey  had  been  living  upon  "  hope  deferred."  It  is  true  that 
tho  Amerie.uis  receivd  great  assistance  from  the  French,  in 
supplies  of  armsandannnunilion  ;  and  although  not  openly  al 
lowed,  yot  moans  were  found  by  the  Amciican  privateers,  se- 

♦  The  CommissionAfi  wrrc,  Bunjamin  Fronklln,  Rilni  Donne,  and  Arthurl.ee. 
Mr.  JeiTeriion  had  hern  originally  desij^nnted  as  one  of  tho  ConiniiRnioiiera  j  hut, 
declining  tho  appointment,  Mr.  Loo  was  iclcctud  m  hii  utoad. 


liHiL 


i    '•. 


irrs.j 


ALLIANCE    WITH    FRANCR. 


299 


I  : 


.;ti 


the 
the 

IllCO 

(let 
ilio 

jV  nf 

ts  in 

77, 
I  lint 
I,  in 
al 
se- 
ll-on. 

ll)U(, 


cretly  to  dispose  of  their  prizes  in  French  ports.  Still,  the 
government  was  lavish  in  its  professions  of  friendship  for 
England,  even  though  confidentially  giving  the  Americans 
strong  assurances  of  sympathy  and  ultimate  assistance.  The 
untoward  result  of  Burgoyne's  campaign,  intelligence  of  which 
was  received  in  Paris  early  in  December,  was  the  opportune 
means  of  ending  this  vascillating  policy  on  the  part  of  the 
Court  of  Versailles.  The  feelings  of  the  French  people  toward 
England  could  no  longer  be  disguised  ;  since  the  news  occa- 
sioned as  much  general  joy  as  though  the  victory  had  been 
achieved  by  their  own  arms.*  The  consequence  was,  that,  on 
the  0th  of  February,  the  French  government  entered  into  treaties 
of  amity,  commerce,  and  alliance,  with  the  United  States,  on 
principles  of  the  most  perfect  reciprocity  and  equality.  The 
French  cabinet  clearly  foresaw  that  this  measure  would  soon 
produce  a  war  between  themselves  and  England,  and  acted  in 
the  expectation  of  such  a  consequence.  Indeed,  M.  Girard, 
one  of  the  French  Secretaries  of  State,  in  his  conferences  with 
tlie  American  Commissioners,  had  the  frankness  to  avow  that 
they  were  not  acting  wholly  for  the  sake  of  the  United  States, 
but  because  they  thought  the  moment  a  favorable  one  for  hum- 
bling their  haughty  rival,  by  aiding  in  the  dismemberment  of 
her  empire.  Iletice  the  King  had  not  only  determined  to  acknow- 
ledge the  Independence  of  the  United  States,  but  to  support  it 
— without  the  expectation  of  compcnsation.t 

The  news  of  the  treaty  with  France  was  not  received  in  the 
United  States  until  late  in  the  Spring.t     Meantime  other  cir- 

♦  Lfttor  of  tho  CoinmiHflionorii.  t  Mi»r»lmll. 

I  Tho  <!vent  was  coiiiinomoratud  in  tho  Ampricnn  comp,  on  '^'o  7lh  of  Moy,  in  a 
Blylii  corriiDjwndiiijt  with  its  iin|iortttncc — a  geni-riil  order  for  llio  cclcl)riilion  having 
bui'n  iniui'd  hy  tiic  <  oniiimndt.T-in-cliii'f.  It  Itc^nn  as  follow* : — "  It  hoving  |)Icii»im1 
thn  Ahnialiiy  llidcr  of  llto  IJnivcrao  to  dfO'nd  the  cnii«o  of  tho  Uniird  Aincriron 
Siatcu,  and  finally  to  raiMo  uh  up  a  powerful  friend  omon<;  thu  prin(!('H  of  tho  rnrlli,  to 
(•Ktiiblixh  our  lilirrty  and  indcpcndcnry  upon  a  liiNting  fouiuliiiion  ;  it  hcronirM  uit  to 
art.  npnrt  a  dny  for  jijn.ti.'fully  acknowlt>d^iMi(  tho  divino  goodno*!!,  and  ooinhrntinglhn 
important  ovcnt,  which  wo  owo  to  hm  divino  intorposition."  Tho  pn;;oant  was 
alrictly  military,  an<l  m  dfiicrihrti  hy  tlio  Itltorn  of  that  dny  a^  oxccrdins.'ly  hrillinnt. 
Tho  joy  inonifeMlod  wna  unfciitniMl  and  uni>prnknl)lo.  Tho  Commandor-in-rhicr 
dined  in  ptdilic  with  all  tho  onicori*  of  liiit  army.  "  Wlion  hix  ICxrcllnnry  look  his 
lenvn,  thorn  was  a  univcranl  (-Ixp,  with  loud  huzzan,  whiih  continued  uiitd  he  luul 
procoudcd  a  <|uarter  of  n  mile,  during  which  time  them  worn  a  thousand  lints  tossed 
in  the  air.  His  F.xcellency  turned  round  with  liia  rotinuo,  and  huzzaed  several 
tiinoa."— L«M«r  ufan  i^ctr. 


il< 


!i 


300 


LIFE    OK    BRANT. 


[1778. 


cumstances  occurred  during  the  Winter,  in  the  Northern  part 
of  New-York,  deserving  of  note  in  the  present  narrative.  First 
among  these,  was  the  notable  project  of  General  Gates  for  a 
second  descent,  in  mid-winter,  upon  Canada.  In  November  fol- 
lowing the  defeat  of  Bnrgoyne,  on  the  reorganization  of  the 
Board  of  War,  Gates,  in  the  first  flush  of  his  popularity,  was 
placed  at  its  head  as  president.  He  had  not  been  long  nt 
Yorktown,*  where  Congress  was  then  in  session,  before  he 
conceived  the  project  of  directing  an  irruption  into  Canada 
across  the  ice  upon  Lake  Champlain,  for  the  purpose  of  de- 
stroying the  stores  and  shii)ping  of  the  enemy  at  St.  Johns ; 
and,  possibly,  of  striking  a  sudden  blow  upon  Montreal,  't 
was  subsoqiiently  but  too  well  ascertained  that  the  condition  of 
the  Northern  army,  with  which  Gates  certainly  ought  to  have 
been  acquainted,  was  by  no  means  such  as  to  warrant  the  im- 
dertaking  of  any  offensive  enterprise.  Still  the  victorious  com- 
mander of  the  North  had  the  address  to  obtain  a  vote  of 
Congress  directing  the  cxpedition,t  the  conduct  of  which  was 
entrusted  to  the  Marquis  de  l,afaye(tc.  This  gallant  younj^ 
nobleman  had  been  burning  with  a  desire  to  distinguish  him- 
self in  a  separate  connnand,  and  this  project  opened  to  him  the 
prospect  of  realizing  the  object  dearest  to  his  heart. 

Diii,  neither  in  the  inception  nor  in  the  maturing  of  the  en- 
terprise, liad  the  Commander-in-chief  been  consulted  ;  and  the 
first  knowledge  he  possessed  of  the  project  w'as  derived  from  a 
letter  from  General  Gates,  inclo  ing  another  to  the  Marquis, 
informing  him  of  his  fipj>ointment  to  the  command. t  The  dis- 
respect to  the  ConuuiUider-in-chief,  to  whom  the  youthful 
poldier  was  bound  by  the  strongest  ties  of  friendship  and  respect, 
was  so  manifest,  that  the  Marquis  at  first  hesitated  in  accepting 

♦  York,  in  Pcnnsylviinin.  t  Journnls  of  Congross,  vol.  iv.  p.  49. 

J  "  I  «m  mncli  (ilili<{fil  liy  J'otir  potito  iTqiicHt  of  mj'  opinion  nnd  ndvicp  on  Iho 
rxpcdilion  to  Ciuimlu  mid  otlii  r  occiisionii.  In  the  prrhnnt  inslnncp,  ai  I  ncillinr 
know  tlip  extent  of  llin  olijix-ts  in  view,  nor  the  mcnni  to  be  employed  to  rfTect  tliem, 
it  \*  not  in  my  power  to  pawA  any  jod^ment  upon  thn  Hulijrct.  I  can  only  dincrrely 
w\n\\  thut  nuicoM  niiiy  uttcnd  it,  liotli  nft  it  niiiy  advance  the  public  good,  and  on 
•croiint  of  iho  pornonol  honor  of  the  Maripiisi  di«  I.nfnyette,  for  whom  I  linve  a  very 
pnrticulnr  entceni  ami  rcjinrd."— fLr/trr  of  tVaahinglon  to  Gatti,Ja».i7,  I778.J 
"  I  dhall  Kiy  no  more  of  the  Canada  expedition,  than  that  it  is  at  an  end.  I  never 
wan  iniido  ncfpiniiited  with  a  •mglo  ciriuniHtunco  relating  to  '\i."—Lttttr  of  }f'a>hr 
tnglon  to  (Jtntral  ^Innslrona:,  of  I'rnnsylvania. 


|p  on  thn 

ncilhnr 

let  tlicrrii 

linccroly 

and  un 

R  very 

I,  I778.J 

I  never 

Haiti- 


1778.] 


PROPOSED    CAMPAIGN    AGAINST    CANADA. 


301 


the  command.  Nor  was  his  reUictance  lessened  by  the  suspi- 
cious circumstance  that  General  Conway,  the  base  instrument 
of  the  Gates  faction  in  the  conspiracy  against  Washinnton,  had 
been  assigned  as  his  second  in  command.  Soaring  above  all 
selfish  considerations,  however,  Washington  advised  the  Mar- 
quis to  accept  the  trust  confided  to  him  by  Congress.  LafayeUe, 
therefore,  repaired  from  the  camp  at  Valley  Forge  to  Yorlctown, 
to  be  more  particularly  advised  as  to  the  object  and  the  details 
of  the  enterprise.  Tlie  plan  of  organizing  a  light  but  efficient 
force,  to  make  a  sudden  dash  upon  St.  Johns,  and  destroy  the 
flotilla  which  gave  the  enemy  the  command  of  Lake  Cliamplain, 
and  to  inflict  such  farther  injury  as  might  be  eficctcd  in  a  rapid 
campaign,  was  fully  unfolded  to  him.  Ample  supplies  of  men 
and  means  were  promised  by  Gates  ;  and,  after  securing  the 
services  of  the  Baron  de  Kalb  to  the  expedition— an  officer 
older  in  rank  than  Conway,  who  would  necessarily  be  his  se- 
cond in  command — the  Marquis  accepted  the  appointment. 

Full  of  high  hopes,  a  brilliant  enterprise  before  him,  and 
panting  for  an  opportunity  to  signalize  himself  in  a  separate 
command,  the  Marquis  pushed  forward  to  Albany,  amid  all  the 
rigors  of  winter,  to  enter  at  once  upon  the  service,  and  appa- 
rently with  as  much  confidence  as  though  he  had  achieved  the 
exploit.  Sad,  however,  was  his  disappointment  at  the  posture 
of  affairs  on  his  arrival  at  Albany.  Conway,  who  had  arrived 
there  three  days  before  him,  at  once  assured  him  that  the  expe- 
dition was  quite  impossible.  Such,  likewise,  was  the  opinion 
of  Generals  Schuyler,  Lincoln,  and  Arnold,  the  latter  two  of 
whom  were  detained  at  Albimy  by  thn  unhealed  woiuids  re- 
ceived upon  the  fields  of  Saratoga.  IndiH^d,  ho  was  not  long  in 
ascertaining,  from  tlic  quarter-master,  commissary,  and  cloth- 
ier-generals, that  there  was  a  lamentable  deliciency  of  almost 
every  necessary  of  which  he  had  been  led  to  expect  an  abnn- 
diUit  supply.  The  UMUiber  of  troops  was  altogether  inadecjuate. 
Three  thousand  rfleclivc  men  were  believed  to  be  the  smallest 
force  that  wouUl  sullie>,  and  that  number  was  promised.  I3nt 
scarcely  twelve  hundred  could  be  mustered  lit  for  duty,  and  the 
greater  part  of  these  were  too  miked  even  for  a  Summer  r.-un- 
paigu.*     Their  pay  was  greatly  in  arrear ;  and   ollieers  and 

•  Lutlur  ofLiifiiyuU«  toGuneral  \Va«liiiijiloit,  ilutoj  .\ll)iin,',  Foti.  I  J,  I77(i. 


■:i:.  * 


P<!i 
III 


■•■ 


I 


II  ' 


i 


302 


LIFK    OK    URANT. 


[1778. 


men  were  alike  indisposed  to  the  service.*  Originally  it  had 
been  intended  to  confide  the  proposed  expedition  to  General 
Stark,  whose  prowess  at  the  battle  of  Bennington  had  rendered 
him  exceedingly  popular  with  the  people  ;  and  it  was  supposed 
that  he  could  at  once  bring  into  the  field  a  sufficient  number  of 
his  mountaineers  to  strike  the  blow  with  success.t  Stark  was 
invited  to  Albany,  and  James  Duane  was  sent  tiiither  from  Con- 
gress to  confer  with  him  upon  the  subject.  But  the  induce- 
ment offered  by  Congress  being  in  the  form  of  a  bounty,  con- 
tingent only  upon  success,  was  thought  not  sufficient ;  and 
when  a  representation  of  the  circumstances  was  made  by  Mr. 
Duane  to  that  body,  the  scheme  was  changed  and  enlarged,  at 
the  suggestion  of  General  Gates,  according  to  the  plan  which 
the  Marquis  was  to  execute. 

Having  attentively  examined  the  situation  of  aflairs,  and  the 
means  within  his  control,  and  consulted  with  the  several  able 
captains  at  Albany,  the  young  soldier  saw  with  inexpres.sible 
chagrin  that  the  obstacles  were  insuperable.  In  the  langunge 
of  another,  amounting  to  a  bitter  satire,  whether  thus  intended 
or  not — "  the  Generals  only  were  got  in  readiness  ;"t  and  the 
gallant  Marquis  was  compelled  to  relinquish  the  enterprise, 
without  even  the  poor  privilege  of  making  an  attempt.  He  cer- 
tainly had  great  reason,  not  only  for  vexation,  but  disgust — 
advised,  as  he  had  been,  to  announce  to  his  court  the  degree  of 
confidence  reposed  in  him  by  Congress,  in  thus  confiding  to 
him  a  separate  command  of  such  importance — not,  of  course, 

♦  On  llio  19lh  of  February  Jonics  Duane  wrote  to  Governor  Clinton  respecting 
the  inipracticobilily  of  Ihu  enterprise,  since  liio  Marquis  could  find  neither  liie  troops 
nor  the  preparations.  In  the  courrte  of  his  letter,  Mr.  Duane  naid  of  llio  Marquis  : — 
*'  His  zeni  for  this  country,  of  which  he  has  given  marks  even  to  enlhusiasum,  ond  his 
ardent  desire  of  glory,  lead  him  to  wish  the  expedition  procticahle;  but  he  is  too 
considernto  to  pursue  it  rashly,  or  without  probable  grounds  of  a  successful  issue, 
I  must  mention  to  your  Excellency  a  circiunstanco  which  shows  the  liberality  of  his 
disposition.  He  determined,  on  his  entering  into  Canada,  to  supply  his  army 
through  his  own  private  bills  on  France  to  the  amount  of  five  or  sit  thousand 
guineas,  and  to  present  that  sum  to  Congress  as  a  poof  of  his  love  to  America  and 
the  rights  of  human  nature." 

t  "  I  was  to  find  Ooneral  Stark  with  a  large  !>otly,  and  indeed  Oenerol  Dates  told 
me  '  dfitrral  Stivk  will  hmir  burnl  IheJIftt  hrfore  ywr  arrival.^  Well :  tiio  first  let- 
ter I  receive  in  Albany  is  from  General  Stark,  who  wi«hes  to  know  '  what  number  of 
men,  from  whore,  for  what  time,  and  for  what  rendezvous,  1  dbsirb  mim  to  raisc'  " 
—  I.tUrrfvom  I.({fayfUe  to  U'l'shington. 

\  Marshall. 


i' i* 


1778.] 


TIIR    PROJECT    ARAN'DOXED. 


303 


spocting 

troops 

lui."  :— 

nnd  Ills 

is  too 

issiio, 

y  of  his 

is  army 

iioiiRand 

ica  mid 


suspecting,  for  a  moment,  that  General  Gates  could  have  been 
no  ignorant  of  the  actual  situation  df  the  department  from  which 
he  had  been  so  recently  transferred.* 

The  IMarquis  wrote  to  his  greatest  aiid  best  friend,  the  Com- 
mander-in-chief, upon  the  subject  of  what  he  called  his  "dis- 
tressing and  ridiculous  situation,"  in  the  bitterness  of  his  spirit. 
"  I  am  sent,"  said  he,  "  with  a  great  noise,  at  the  head  of  an 
"  army,  to  do  great  things.  The  whole  continent,  France,  and, 
"  what  is  the  worst,  the  Uritisli  army,  will  be  in  expectation. 
"  How  far  they  will  bo  deceived,  how  far  wc  shall  be  ridiculed, 
"  yo'.i  may  judge  by  the  candiJ  account  you  have  got  of  the 
"  stale  of  our  allairs."  It  is  quite  evident,  from  the  tenor  of  the 
letter  we  arc  ([noting,  that  the  Marquis  susj-jected  that  he  had 
been  purposely  detached  from  the  cor  any  of  Washington 
with  some  sinister  design  : — "  There  are  things,  I  dare  say,  in 
*'  which  I  am  deceived.  A  certain  Colonel  is  not  here  for  no- 
*' tiling."  *  *  *  "I  am  sure  a  cloud  is  drawn  before  my  eyes. 
"  However,  tlicro  are  points  I  cannot  be  deceived  in."  *  *  • 
"  Tliey  have  sent  me  more  tlian  twenty  French  oflicers.  I  do 
"  not  know  what  to  do  with  them.  I  am  at  a  loss  to  know 
"  how  to  act,  and  indeed  I  do  not  know  for  what  I  am  here  my- 
"  self."  And  again,  toward  the  close  of  the  letter,  he  says : — "  I 
"  fancy  the  actual  scheme  is,  to  have  me  out  of  this  part  of  the 
"  continent,  and  General  Conway  as  chief  under  the  iinniedi- 
'<  ate  direction  of  General  Gates.  How  they  will  bring  it  about 
"  I  do  not  know,  but  be  certain  something  of  that  kind  will  ap- 
"  pear.  You  arc  nearer  than  myself,  and  every  honest  man  in 
"  Congress  is  your  friend  ;  therefore  you  may  foresee  and  pre- 
'*  vent  the  evil  a  hundred  times  better  than  I  can."t 

The  true  position  of  affairs  at  Albany  having  been  made 
Known  to  Congress,  it  was  resolved  lo  instruct  the  IMarquis  to 
suspend  the  expedition,  and  at  the  same  time  to  assure  him 
"thai  Congress  entertained  n  high  sense  of  his  prudence,  acti- 
"  vity,  and  zeal ;  and  that  they  were  fully  persuaded  nothing 
"  would  have  been  wanting  on  his  own  part,  or  on  the  part  of 


AUC. 


•  Tlin  liintoiy  of  tliis  aliorlivo  project  Ims  ^loh  Hiinvn  diiffly  from  a  long  MS. 
Irtlir  from  .Tallies  PiiDim  to  Ciovcrnor  Clinton,  in  tiio  Hullior's  pusncKHinn.  On  IiIn 
way  In  Allmny,  Hi"  Mnnpiis  viHitnl  Mr.  Duuno, nnd  wns  nrconi|'iiniid  l>y  liim  tliilher. 

t  Loiter  from  l.nfiiyelio  to  Wnsliin<;toi),  dated  .Mliany,  IVb.  '2'\  177^.— Vido 
Spuik.",  Cor.  of  \Vu!tliini;ton,  vol.  v.  — A|ipniidix, 

43 


I 


'i. 


It  i 


I  m 


''■  I 


1  ' 


1  i 


iVl 


: 


1,        \ 


301 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1778. 


"  the  officers  who  accompanied  him.  to  give  the  expedition  the 
''  utmost  possible  effect."  * 

But,  to  return  to  the  Indian  affairs  of  the  Mohawk  Valley. 
Early  in  the  year,  various  unpleasant  symptoms  were  percepti- 
ble, indicating  the  design  of  a  renewed  and  more  extensive  In- 
dian war  than  had  been  anticipated  at  any  previous  moment. 
Information  was  received  from  the  remote  West,  of  a  general 
disposition  among  the  nations  in  the  region  of  the  great  lakes, 
and  the  upper  Mississippi,  to  join  the  Mohawks,  Cayugas, 
Onondagas,  and  Senecas,  against  the  United  States.  The 
master-spirit  of  those  threatened  movements  was  Joseph  Brant, 
whose  winter-quarters  were  at  the  central  and  convenient  '^oint 
of  Niagara.  Nor  were  Sir  John  Johnson  and  his  assc  ates, 
Claus  and  Butler,  inactive ;  while  the  British  commander  at 
Detroit,  Colonel  Hamilton,  was  at  the  same  time  exercising  a 
powerful  influence  over  the  surrounding  nations  of  the  forest. 
On  the  opening  of  the  year,  therefore,  great  fears  were  enter- 
tained for  the  security  of  the  frontiers  from  the  Mohawk  to  the 
Ohio.  Still,  with  the  Six  Nations,  Congress  resolved  to  make 
yet  another  effort  of  conciliation — to  secure  their  neutrality,  if 
nothing  farther.  Accordingly,  on  the  2d  of  February,  resolu- 
tions were  passed,  directing  a  council  to  be  held  with  these 
nations  at  Johnstown,  in  the  County  of  Tryon.  General 
Schuyler  and  Volkcrt  P.  Douw  were  appointed  commissioners 
for  tliat  purpose,  and  Governor  Clinton  was  requested  to  de- 
signate a  special  commissioner  to  be  present  on  the  occasion.  In 
pursuance  of  this  solicitation,  James  Duane  was  appointed  for 
that  duty.  The  resolutions  of  Congress  instructed  the  com- 
missioners "  to  speak  to  the  Indians  in  language  becoming  the 
"  representatives  of  free,  sovereign,  and  independent  States,  and 
"in  such  a  tone  ns  would  convince  them  that  they  felt  tliem- 
"  selves  to  bo  so."t  It  was  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  com- 
missioners to  detcnuuie  whether  it  would  be  prudent  to  insist 
upon  their  taking  up  arms  in  behalf  of  the  States,  or  whether  to 
content  themselves  with  efforts  to  secure  their  neutrality. 

The  directions  were,  that  the  council  should  be  holden  be- 
tween the  15th  and  2(Jth  of  February;  but  so  slow  or  rcluc- 
tiuit  wore  the  Indians  in  assembling,  that  the  proceedings  were 

♦  S  Tret  Jotiriinl,  Miiitli  '2(1,  eitwl  hv  S|mik8. 
1  JoiinmlM  ulCoHg.  viil.  iv.  |i;igi' (i.'l. 


i 


1778.] 


INDIAN    COUNCIL    AT    JOHNSTOWN. 


3o: 


Insist 
ler  to 


bc- 
luc- 
;ere 


not  commenced  until  the  9th  of  Marcli.  Whether  General 
Schuyler  attended,  is  not  known.  The  Marquis  de  liafayette, 
who  was  then  temporarily  in  command  of  the  Northern  De- 
partment, accompanied  Mr.  Dnane  to  Johnstown,  and  was  pre- 
sent at  the  council.  More  than  seven  hundred  Indians  were 
collected  at  the  treaty,  consisting  of  Oneidas,  Tuscaroras, 
Onondagas,  a  few  Moiiawks,  and  three  or  four  Cayugas ;  but 
not  a  single  Seneca,  which  was  by  fur  the  most  powerful  na- 
tion. On  the  contrary,  they  had  the  boldness  to  send  a  mes 
sage,  affecting  great  surprise,  "  that  while  our  tomahawks  were 
"sticking  in  their  heads,  their  wounds  bleeding,  and  their  eyes 
"  streaming  with  tears  for  the  loss  of  their  friends  at  German 
"  Flatts,*  the  commissioners  should  think  of  inviting  them  to  a 
'*  treaty !" 

The  proceedings  were  opened  by  an  address  from  Congress, 
framed  in  accordance  with  the  spirit  of  the  resolutions  already 
cited,  asserting  the  power  of  the  United  States,  and  their  magna- 
nimous conduct  toward  the  Six  Nations — and  charging  them 
distinctly  with  the  ingratitude,  cruelty,  and  treachery,  with 
which  their  pacific  advances  had  been  requited,  and  for  which 
reparation  was  demanded.  From  this  charge  of  troacViery, 
the  Oneidas  and  Tuscaroras  were  not  only  honorably  excepted, 
but,  on  the  contrary,  were  applauded  for  their  firmness  and  in- 
tegrity, and  assured  of  friendship  and  protection. 

An  Onondaga  chief  spoke  in  behalf  of  the  guilty  tribes.  He 
exculpated  himself  and  his  brother  sachems,  casting  the  blame 
on  the  young  and  head-strong  warriors,  who,  he  said,  would  not 
listen  to  prudent  councils — illustrating  thciir  own  internal  diffi- 
culties by  those  occasionally  existing  aiuonsj  the  people  of  the 
Stales,  which  it  was  at  limes  found  impossible  to  repress.  Ho 
also  spoke  of  the  difficulty  they  were  obliged  to  encounter,  in 
withslandina:  the  influence  of  Uutler  and  others  in  the  service 
of  the  Crown,  acquired  by  bribery  and  other  kindred  artifices. 

An  Oneida  chief  answered  for  his  own  nation  and  the  Tus- 
caroras, with  a  spirit  and  dignity  which  would  not  have  dis- 
graced a  Roman  senator.  He  pathetically  lamented  the  dege- 
neracy of  the  unfriendly  tribes ;  predicted  their  final  destruc- 
tion :  and  declared  the  fi.xed  and  unalterable  resolution  of  tho 


•  Oriakany,  meaning. 
Dimno. 


The  quotation  is  from  a  manuscript  Irttcr  of  Janios 


f 


\rv 


§  i« 


'-I 


r^ 


306 


LIFK    OF    BIIANT 


[1778. 


tribes  which  he  represented,  at  every  hazard,  to  hold  fast  the 
covenant  chain  with  the  United  States,  and  be  buried  with 
them  in  the  same  grave,  or  with  them  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of 
victory  and  peace.  He  fully  evinced  the  sincerity  of  these  pro- 
fessions, by  desiring  that  the  United  States  would  erect  a  for- 
tress in  their  country,  and  station  a  small  garrison  within  it 
for  their  defence.  A  promise  to  this  effect  having  been  given, 
the  Oneida  concluded  with  a  solemn  assurance,  that  the  two 
nations  lor  whom  he  spoke  would  at  all  times  be  ready  to  co- 
operate with  the  United  States  against  all  their  enemies. 

In  a  private  intervic\V  afterward,  the  Oneidas  warned  the 
Commissioners  against  trusting  to  the  Onondagas,  whom  they 
considered  as  enemies  to  the  United  States,  notwithstanding 
their  seeming  contrition  for  the  past.  The  Oneidas  declared 
that  they  had  not  the  least  doubt  that  the  Onondagas,  Cayu- 
gas,  and  Scnecas  would  renew  their  hostilities  early  in  the 
Spring ;  that  Colonel  Butler  would  r.gain  be  in  possession  of 
Oswego,  which  he  would  more  strongly  fortify  ;  and  for  tliefje 
events  they  entreated  the  Commissioners  to  be  prepared. 

In  their  reply  to  the  Indians,  the  Commissioners  again  ap 
plauded  the  Oneidas  and  Tuscaroras  for  their  fidelity  and 
courage.  The  other  nations,  they  said,  were  not  sufficiently 
represented  to  warrant  the  holding  of  a  treaty  with  them.  But 
they,  nevertheless,  directed  that  another  council  for  those  tribes 
should  be  held  in  Onondaga,  at  some  subsequent  day,  at  which 
the  demand  of  the  United  States  of  satisfaction  for  past  wrongs 
should  be  publicly  made,  and  an  explicit  answer  exacted. 
They  were  admonished  that  the  cause  of  the  United  States  was 
just ;  that  the  hand  of  the  United  States  could  reach  the  re- 
motest corner  of  the  country  of  the  Seneoas ;  and  that  they 
trusted  that  the  Good  Spirit  whom  they  served,  would  enable 
them  to  punish  all  their  enemies,  and  put  it  out  of  their  power 
to  do  them  farther  injury." 

The  inhabitants  of  Tryon  County,  many  of  whom  were 
spectators  at  the  council,  were  highly  gratified  with  the  pro- 
ceedings ;  and  it  was  supposed  that  the  moral  effect  would  be 
good,  not  only  in  regard  to  the  Oneidas,  but  also  upon  the 


m 


:  \ 


*  Unpiiblislifld  Klter  of  .Tuniec  Duano  to  Governor  Clinton,  giving  a  report  of  his 
mission,  in  the  author's  posscst^ion. 


1778.] 


CHERRY    VALLEV    AND    SCHOHARIE. 


307 


lacted. 
;s  was 
le  re- 
they 
[liable 
liowcr 

were 
pro- 
lld  Ije 
the 

of  his 


Oiionda;]fas — those  tribes  beinj^  closely  connected  by  intermar- 
riages ;  but  the  Coinniissionors  left  the  council  under  the  full 
persuasion  that  from  the  Scnecas,  Cayngas,  and  tlie  greater 
part  of  the  Mohawks,  nothing  but  revenge  for  their  lost  friends 
and  tarnished  glory  at  Oriskany  and  Fort  Schuyler  was  to  be 
anticipated  ;  more  especially  since  the  enemy  was  so  plentifully 
supplied  with  the  means  of  corruption,  while  it  was  not  in  the 
power  of  the  United  States  so  much  as  to  furnish  their  best 
friends  witli  the  necessaries  of  life,  even  in  the  course  of  trade.* 
Still,  in  order,  as  far  as  possible,  to  regain  some  of  their  lost  as- 
cendancy over  the  Indians,  by  means  of  traffic,  the  Commission- 
ers of  that  department  were  shortly  afterward  authorized  by 
Congress  to  open  a  trading  establishmiut  at  Fort  Schuyler, 
But  the  inadequacy  of  the  provision  must  be  evident  from  the 
fact,  that  the  slender  exchequer  of  the  government  allowed  an 
appropriation  of  no  greater  sum  for  that  important  object,  than 
ten  thousand  dollars.t 

While  at  Johnstown  during  this  visit,  the  Marquis  de  La- 
fayette was  waited  upon  by  Colonel  Campbell  and  others, 
for  the  purpose  of  calling  his  attention  to  the  exposed  situation 
of  Cherry  Valley,  The  consequence  was  an  order  for  the 
erection  of  a  fort  at  that  place.  An  engineer  was  detailed  upon 
that  duty,  and  detachments  of  troops  ordered  both  to  that  place 
and  Schoharie,  Three  slight  fortifications  had  been  built 
in  the  valley  of  the  Scholuirie-kill  during  the  preceding  year, 
called  the  Upper,  Middle,  and  Lower  Forts,  These  works 
were  merely  circumvallations  of  earth  and  wood,  thrown  up 
around  some  strong  dwelling-houses  constructed  of  stone, 
within  which  the  women  and  children  were  placed  in  moments 
of  peculiar  danger.  The  church  was  the  citadel  of  the  Lower 
Fort,  and  all  were  manned  by  small  companies  of  soldiers,  having 
each  a  single  brass  field-piece.  The  Marquis  likewise  directed 
the  erection  of  a  fort  in  the  Oneida  country,  pursuant  to  the 
request  of  the  Indians  of  that  nation. 

It  was  but  too  evident,  from  the  reports  borne  upon  every 
western  breeze,  that  all  these  measures  of  precaution  in  that  di- 
rection were  necessary.  To  the  Johnsons  and  their  adherents 
the  recovery  of  the  Valley  of  the  Mohawk  was  an  oliject  of  the 

♦  UnpiililiBlinil  li'tfpr  of  Jnmns  Dnano  to  Govurnor  Clinlon,  hcictoforc  cited, 
t  Jourmila  of  Congress,  vol.  iv.  p.  250. 


308 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1778. 


I.    u 


ii' 

■'I 

,1 


t 

It)  • 


first  importance ;  and  they  watched  every  opportunity  of 
moving  in  that  quarter,  which  promised  even  apos^ibl  'hanrc 
of  success.  Even  while  the  Marquis  was  present  > -^h  tbo 
Indian  Commissioners  at  Johnstown,  no  less  a  person ai.i  than 
a  British  Colonel,  a  nephew  of  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  and  bearing 
the  same  honorable  name,  was  well  understood  to  be  lurking  in 
that  vicinity  e  a  spy.  Every  effort  was  made  for  his  arrest ; 
and,  as  an  r^-^  ucement  to  the  militia  and  Indians  to  be  on  the 
alert,  the  Marquis  offered  a  reward  of  fifty  guineas  from  his  own 
purse,  as  will  appear  by  the  annexed  letter  to  Col.  Gansevoort  • — 

The  Marquis  de  Lafayette  to  Col.  Gansevoort. 

"  Jolmstowu,  the  9th  March,  1778. 
"Sir, 
"  As  the  taking  of  Colonel  Carleton  is  of  the  greatest  import- 
ance, I  wish  you  would  use  every  exertion  in  your  power  to 
have  him  apprehended.  I  have  desired  Colonel  Livingston, 
who  knows  him,  to  let  you  have  any  intelligence  he  can  give, 
and  join  to  them  those  I  have  got  by  one  other  spy,  about  the 
dress  and  figure  of  Carleton.  You  may  send  as  many  parties 
as  you  please,  and  every  where  you'll  think  proper,  and  do 
every  convenient  thing  for  discovering  him.  I  dare  say  he 
knows  we  are  after  him,  and  has  nothing  in  view  but  to  escape, 
which  I  beg  you  to  prevent  by  all  means.  You  may  promise, 
in  my  name,  fifti/  guineas  hard  monei/,  besides  every  money 
they  can  find  about  Carleton,  to  any  party  of  soldiers  or  Indians 
who  will  bring  him  alive.  As  every  one  knows  now  what  we 
send  for,  there  is  no  inconvenience  to  scatter  in  the  country 
which  reward  is  promised,  in  orde*'  to  stimulate  the  Indians. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be.  Sir, 

"  Your  most  obedient  servant, 
"  The  Mqs.  de  Lafayette." 
"  Col.  Gansevoort,  ConiH.  Fort  Schuyler^'' 

The  condition  contained  in  this  letter,  that,  to  entitle  the  cap- 
tor to  the  promised  reward,  Carleton  must  be  brought  in  alive, 
comports  with  the  well-known  humanity,  through  life,  of  the 
illustrious  friend  of  human  liberty  who  wrote  it.  But  the 
search  was  fruitless.  Carleton  was  an  active  and  efllcient 
partisan  officer,  and  was  never  taken.     The  Marquis  retained 

*  This  letter  has  been  copied  from  the  original,  a:uong  tiie  Gansevoort  papers. 


cap- 
ilive, 
the 
the 
:ient 
lined 

lers. 


1778.] 


A    TORY    INVASION'. 


309 


the  command  at  the  North  only  until  the  middle  of  April,  when 
he  was  ordered  to  head-qnarters,  and  Gates  again  assumed  the 
command  of  the  department. 

In  the  month  of  Jime,  the  loyalists  who  had  fled  to  Canada 
with  Sir  John  Johnson,  to  the  numher  of  one  hundred  and  up- 
ward, performed  an  exploit  equally  bold  and  remarkable,  which 
naturally  suggests  the  inquiry,  where  were  the  Whigs  of  Try  on 
County  at  that  time  ;  and  in  what  were  they  engaged  ?  The 
incident  to  which  reference  is  had,  was  the  return  of  those  self- 
same loyalists  for  their  families,  whom  they  were  permitted  to 
collect  together,  and  witii  whom  they  were  suffered  to  depart 
into  the  country,  and  the  active  service  of  the  enemy.  Nor 
was  this  all.  Not  only  was  no  opposition  made  to  tiieir  pro- 
ceedings, but  on  their  way  they  actually  committed  acts  of 
flagrant  hostility,  destroyed  property,  and  took  several  prisoners. 
Having  completed  their  arrangements,  tlicy  moved  northward 
from  Fort  Hunter,  through  Fonda's  Bush — making  four  prison- 
ers on  their  way  thither,*  and  at  Fonda's  Bnsh  five  othcrs.t 
From  this  place  they  proceeded  across  the  great  marsh  to  Sir 
William  Johnson's  fish-house,  on  the  Sacondaga,  capturing  a 
man  named  Martin,  and  another  named  Harris,  on  the  way, 
and  at  the  fish-house  taking  a  brave  fellow  named  Solomon 
Woodworth  and  four  others.!  They  burnt  the  house  and  out- 
buildings of  Godfrey  Shew  at  this  place,  and  departed  with 
their  prisoners,  leaving  the  women  and  children  houseless. 
Embarking  on  the  Sacondaga  in  light  canoes,  previously 
moored  at  that  place  for  the  purpose,  they  descended  twenty- 
five  miles  to  the  Hudson,  and  thence,  by  the  way  of  Liikes? 
George  and  Champhiin,  proceeded  to  St.  Johns  in  safety.  The 
day  after  his  capture,  Woodworth  succeeded  in  making  his 
escape.  At  St.  Johns,  John  Shew  and  four  others  were  given 
up  to  the  Indians,  by  whom  they  were  taken  to  their  village  in 
Canada.  They  were  neither  considered  nor  treated  exactly  as 
prisoners  of  war ;  and  Shew,  with  three  of  liis  companions,  soon 
afterward  escaped  and  returned  home.§    From  St.  Johns,  the 

*  Mr.  Cough  and  liis  son,  and  Mr.  Marinus  and  his  son. 

f  Jolin   Putnam,  Jr.,  Mr.  Salisbury,  Mr.   Rice,  Mr.  Joseph  Scolt,  and  Mr. 
Bowman. 
I  Godfrey  Slicw,  nnd  his  three  sons,  John,  Stephen,  and  Jacob. 
§  III  the  Autumn  of  17)^0  y  lung  Shew  was  again  captured  by  a  scouting  party  of 


I  h 


H 


310 


LIFE    OF    imANT, 


[1778. 


loyal  party  proceeded  down  tlie  St.  liawrence  to  Quebec,  where 
the  residue ^of  the  prisoners  were  kept  in  close  confinement 
about  four  months.  Some  of  the  number  died,  and  ihe  remain- 
der were  sent  to  Hahfax,  and  tlicnce  exchanijed  by  the  way  of 
Boston.  This  movement  of  ihe  Tories  back  in  a  body  to  their 
deserted  liomes,  and  its  success,  form  oneof  tiio  most  extraordi- 
nary incidents,  thou<jh  in  itself  comparatively  unimportant, 
which  transpired  during-  the  wars  of  the  Mohawk  country.* 

With  the  opening  of  the  season  for  active  operations— thonj^ii 
lie  was  himself  never  inactive — Thayendanejrea  had  nfiain  re- 
turned to  his  former  haunts  on  the  Susquehanna — 0<j:hkvvaa:a 
and  Unadilla.  He  soon  proved  himself  an  active  and  dreaded 
partisan.  No  matter  for  the  dilliculties  or  the  distance,  whore- 
ever  a  blow  could  be  struck  to  any  advantai^c,  Joseph  lirant 
was  sure  to  be  there.  Frecpient,  moreover,  were  the  instances  in 
which  individuals,  and  even  whole  families  in  the  outskirts  of 
the  settlements,  disappeared,  without  any  knowledge  on  the  part 
of  those  who  were  lel't,  thai  an  enemy  had  been  near  them. 
"The  smoking  ruins  of  their  dwellings,  the  charred  bones  of 
the  dead,"  and  the  slaughtered  carcasses  of  the  domestic  ani- 
mals, were  the  only  testimonials  of  the  cause  of  the  catastrophe, 
initil  the  return  of  a  captive,  or  the  disclosures  of  some  prisoner 
taken  from  the  foe,  furnished  more  definite  information. t  Uut 
there  is  no  good  evidence  that  Hraiit  was  himself  a  particij)ator 
iu  secret  murders,  or  attacks  upon  isolated  individuals  or  fiuni- 
lies;  and  there;  is  miu^h  reason  to  believe  that  the  bod  feelings 
of  many  of  the  loyalists  induced  tlnMu  to  perpetrate  greater 
enormities  themselves,  uml  prom|)t  tin- ptuties  of  Indians  whom 
they  often  led,  to  commit  greatiir  biu"bariti(>s  than  the  savages 
would  have  done  had  they  been  left  to  themselves. 

In  support  of  the  foregoing  opinion  of  (captain  Hrant,  the 
following  in<  ideut,  occurrintf  in  tlu;  Sununer  of  the  present 
year,  may  bt;  adduct'd.  A  lad  in  Schoharie  County,  named 
Williiun  M'Kown,  while  engaged  in  raking  hay  alone  in  a 

InHiaiiM  niul  Torirn,  in  the  wooiln  in  flii>  ririMlilHirluKMl  of  niilislon,  niu!  at  tlin  inuli- 
^nliiin  uf  one  ol'tlio  liittcr,  nnnii'il  John  Piiikfr,  wan  iiiniicdiatcly  inurilcrrd.  Pnikcr 
wttH  liiinBoir  noon  iil^i'rwnrd  tulun  ni»  n  ^|>y  liy  (--uittnin  Hornrft  of  tlio  inililia — 
cftrrii'dto  Albnny.  tiii'd,  (Minvirtod,  nnd  i'.\c<  ntrd. 

♦  Tlic  I'm  tM  ri'^iicclinsj  lliin  c'X|i('dilinn  linvr  been  collected  and  furiiiiilicd  to  Iho 
millinr  l)y  .lolm  .1.  Shi-w,  of  NorlUnmplon,  N,  Y. 

t  (.'itin|ilHH'K  .VnniiN. 


in 


1778.] 


MASSACRE    IN    SCHOIIARIR. 


311 


meadow,  happening  to  turn  round,  perceived  an  India.n  very 
near  him.  Startled  at  his  perilous  situation,  he  raised  his  rake 
for  defence,  but  his  fears  were  instantly  dissipated  by  the 
savage,  who  said — "  Do  not  be  afraid,  young  man  ;  I  shall  not 
"  hurt  you."  He  then  inquired  of  the  youth  for  the  residence 
of  a  loyalist  named  P^oster.  The  lad  gave  him  the  proper  di- 
rection, and  inquired  of  the  Indian  whether  he  knew  Mr. 
Foster  ?  "  I  am  partially  acquainted  with  him,"  was  the  reply, 
"  having  once  seen  him  at  the  Half-way  Creek."*  The  Indian 
then  inquired  the  lad's  name,  and  having  been  informed,  he 
added — "You  are  a  son  of  Captain  M'Kown  who  lives  in  the 
"  north-east  part  of  the  town,  I  suppose  :  I  know  your  father 
"  very  well :  he  lives  neighbor  to  Captain  M'Kean  :  I  know 
"  M'ICean  very  well,  and  a  very  fine  fellow  he  is,  too."  Em 
boldencd  by  the  familiar  discourse  of  the  Indian,  tlio  lad  ven- 
tured to  ask  his  nan;e  in  turn.  Hesitating  for  a  moment,  his 
rather  unwelcome  visiter  replied  : — "  My  name  is  IJrant !" 
"  What !  Captain  Urant  ?"  eagerly  demanded  the  youth.  "  No : 
"  I  am  a  cousin  of  his,"  was  the  rejoinder ;  but  accompanied  by 
a  smile  and  a  look  that  plainly  disclosed  the  transparent  de- 
ception. It  was  none  other  than  the  terrible  Thayendanegea 
himsclft 

On  the  other  hand,  the  following  tragic  circumstance,  given 
on  the  same  indisputable  authority,  sustains  the  assertion  that 
the  Tori(!S  were  oftentimes  more  cruel  than  their  savage  asso- 
ciates. While  a  party  of  hostiles  were  prowling  about  iho 
l)oiders  of  Schoharie,  the  Indians  killed  and  scalped  a  mother, 
and  a  large  family  of  children.  "  They  had  jiM  completed  the 
"  work  of  death,  when  some  loyalists  of  the  party  came  up,  and 
"  discovered  on  infant  breathing  sweetly  in  its  cradle.  An  In- 
«<  (liaii  warrior,  noted  for  his  barbarity,  ap|)roached  the  cradle 
'<  with  his  uplifted  hatchet.  The  babe  lool<o(l  uj)  in  his  face, 
"  and  smiled  ;  the  ftM-lings  of  nature  triiu)iplied  over  the  ferocity 
«'of  the  savage;  the  liatehel  fell  with  bis  arm,  and  he  was 
"  about  stooping  down  to  take  the  innocent  in  his  arms,  when 
"one  of  the  loyalists,  cursing  him  for  his  Innnanity,  thrust  it 
"through  with  his  bayonet,  and,  thus  transfixed,  held  it  up 


•  nowmnnV  CrrcU,  hull'  wiiy  lii-lwcen  Chfrry  Valley  nntl  (It*  Molmwk  Riv«r. 
t  Annul*  ol'Tryon  Coniil)'. 

44 


312 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


if 


h 


III! 


[1778. 


I 


"  Struggling  in  the  agonies  of  death,  as  he  exclaimed — '  this, 
" '  too,  is  a  rebel  /' " 

To  guard  against  these  painful  transactions,  nothing  short  of 
the  most  exemplary  watchfuhiess  would  suffice.  Noi  only 
their  habitations,  but  those  who  labored  in  the  fields,  were- 
guarded,  being  themselves  armed  at  their  ploughs,  like  the  la- 
borers of  the  prophet  in  rebuilding  the  walls  of  Jerusalem.  Nor 
was  this  vigilance  confined  to  any  particular  locution.  The 
inhabitants  around  the  whole  border,  from  Saratoga,  north  of 
Johnstown,  and  west  to  the  German  Flatts,  thence  south 
stretching  down  to  Unadilla,  and  thence  castwardly  crossing 
the  Susquehanna,  along  the  Charlotte  river  to  llarpcrsfield, 
and  thence  buck  to  Albany — were  necessarily  an  j>rnicd  yeo- 
manry, watching  for  themselves,  and  standing  sciUincls  for 
eacli  otlier  in  turn  ;  harassed  daily  by  conflicting  rumors  ; 
now  admonished  of  the  approach  of  the  foe  in  the  niglit  by 
the  glaring  flames  of  a  neighbor's  house ;  or  compelled  sud- 
denly to  escape  from  his  approach,  at  a  time  and  in  a  direction 
tlie  least  expected.  Such  was  the  tenure  of  human  existence 
around  the  confines  of  this  whole  district  of  country,  from  the 
Sprmg  of  1777  to  the  end  of  the  contest  in  1782. 

The  first  movement  of  Hrant  hiuiself,  this  season,  (177S,)  wns 
upon  tlie  seitlemont  of  Springfield,  a  small  town  at  the  head  of 
Otsegiy  Lake,  lying  directly  west  of  Cherry  Valley,  about  ten 
miles.  Thosu  of  the  men  who  did  not  fly,  were  taken  ])rison- 
ers.  The  chiefiain  then  burnt  the  entire  settlement,  with  the 
exception  of  a  smgle  l.ouse,  into  which  he  collected  all  the 
women  and  children,  and  left  them  uninjured. 
f  It  was  reported  in  the  month  of  June,  that  Ihant,  whose 
forces  were  increasing  at  Unadilla,  was  Ibrtil'ying  that  post ; 
and  Captain  INMvean  was  (lespalclird  with  a  small  patrol  in 
that  direction,  by  the  j)ro|<lc  of  Cherry  Valley,  to  make  obser- 
vations Arriving  at  a  liousti  about  t\v«'nty-(ive  miles  from  that 
place,  M'Kean  was  infornu'd  that  Hiaiit  had  been  thcro 
with  fifty  men,  that  day,  and  would  probably  return  in  the  even- 
ing. M'Kean  was  at  first  di.spo.scd  to  take  possession  of  tho 
house,  and  attempt  its  delt-nee  -  his  (bren  consisting  of  but  fivo 
men,  exclusive  of  himself,  Ihit,  ultimatt-ly  forniing  a  more 
prudent  resolution,  \u^  withdrew  "his  forces"  before  uighttidl, 
and  ri'turned  homo  without  having  reconnoitred  the  chiufiain's 


1778.] 


n.vrTt.K    AT    COnLKSKII.t.. 


313 


I 


position  at  Uiiadilla.  In  the  course  of  his  jonrnoy,  he  wrote  a 
letter  to  Brant,  upbraiding  him  for  the  predatory  system  of  war- 
fare in  which  he  was  engajjod,  and  challenging  liiin  citlier  to 
single  combat,  or  to  meet  him  with  an  equal  number  of  men 
and  have  a  pitched  battle — '•'  adding,  that  if  he  would  come  to 
•'Cherry  Valley,  they  would  change  him  from  a  Brant  to  a 
'^  ffoose.^'  This  chivalrous  missive  was  fastened  to  a  sticlc, 
and  placed  in  an  Indian  path.  No  modern  nost-otfice  could 
have  transmitted  the  letter  with  greater  speed  or  safety.  The 
"contents"  were  "notc^d"  by  13rant  in  a  letter  addressed  to 
Mr.  Parcifer  Carr,  a  loyjdist  living  some  fifteen  or  twenty  miles 
north,  upon  the  Unadilla  settlen\ent,  to  whom  the  chief  wrote 
for  provisions.  He  also  solicited  INIr.  ('arr  to  allow  two  or 
three  of  his  men  to  join  him,  and  likewise  to  .send  him  a  few 
guns,  with  some  annnunition— addmg,  "I  mean  now  to  fight 
the  cruel  rebels  as  well  as  I  can."'  In  a  postscript,  lie  ititimated 
that  the  people  of  Cherry  Valley,  though  very  bold  in  words, 
would  find  themselves  mistaken  in  calling  him  a  "goose." 
Whether  the  challenge  of  Captain  M'Kean,  and  the  pun  upon 
the  chieftain's  name,  had  any  infiuence  ujion  his  subsequent 
conduct  in  that  section  of  the  country,  is  not  known. 

On  the  2d  of  July  a  smart  engagement  took  place,  on  the 
upper  branch  of  thn  Coblcskill,  between  a  party  of  regular 
troops  and  Schoharie  militia  under  (.'aptain  (/hristijui  Hrown, 
and  a  large  body  of  Indians.  There  were  twenty-two  militia- 
men and  ihiity  regulars,  the  latter  under  charge  of  a  lieutenant 
whose  name  has  not  been  preserved.  T:  i  Indians,  by  their 
own  account,  were  four  hundred  and  fifty  iirciig.  They  wore 
victorious— the  Americans  retreatinf:  o.'ith  los-.  ef  (oiirleen 
killed,  eight  wotnided,  and  two  missing,  'i'li ;  Indians  burnt 
several  bouses,  killed  and  destroyed  all  tb-  h;N'.ses  and  cattio 
which  they  could  not  drive  away,  and  ?  >ok  conside.i  i  le  plun- 
der besides.  They  remained  in  the  W(  ods  adjoining  the  buttle- 
ground  one  day  and  two  nights,  dressing  the  wounded,  'Uid 
packing  up  their  booty,  with  which  lliey  retired  unmolested.* 

Thenceforward,  initil  the  clo.se  of  ibe  war,  the  seltlcmontsof 

*  Tlio  only  ncrotint  or  IImr  bnttlo  wliiili  tlic  ntitlior  lins  been  al)lc  to  iliiicovor,  !■ 
I'ontiiiin'il  IK  Joint  M.  HrdwnV  |pniu|)liltt  liinlory  of  Scluilmrio.  II<'  itiilcii  'Mohiiv* 
taken  place  iii)  tliu  iliiy  {iri>cii<iin^  tlio  niMMiiiK'rtt  of  VVyoiningi  but  Jatoi  it  in  177(1, 
iiiituuil  uf  1778,  wliicli  wuM  duubtlcRB  (ho  Iriio  tlutu. 


314 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


1778. 


Schoharie  were  perpetually  harassed  by  the  strolling  bands  of 
the  enemy,  until  at  length  they  were  entirely  laid  waste  by  a  for- 
midable invasion.  The  principal  of  these  settlements  was  the 
vale  of  the  Schoharie-lcill — doubly  inviting^  from  the  beauty  of 
its  scenery  and  the  fertility  of  its  soil — which  was  even  then 
thickly  inhabited.  But,  although  frequently  doomed  to  suffer 
from  the  savage  tomahawk,  justice  nevertheless  demands 
the  admission,  that  the  first  blood  was  drawn  in  that  valley, 
and  tiie  first  act  of  barbarity  committed,  by  the  white  man, 
upon  the  body  of  an  Indian  sachem. 

The  circumstances  leading  to  the  outrage  were  these  :  At  an 
early  stage  of  the  contest,  the  officers  of  the  Crown  made  a 
very  strenuous  effort  to  control  the  popular  feeling,  and  pre- 
serve the  loyalty  of  the  people  of  Schoharie.  For  this  purpose, 
not  only  the  regular  militia  of  the  settlements,  but  all  the  male 
population  capable  of  bearing  arms,  were  required  to  meet  the 
King's  Conmiissioners  at  the  house  of  Captain  George  Mann, 
a  loyalist  of  great  wealth  and  influence,  to  take  the  oath  of  alle- 
giance. They  assembled  in  arms,  and  were  kept  on  parade, 
flay  after  day,  as  they  slowly  gathered  iit  the  place  of  rendez- 
vous in  obedience  to  the  requisition.  Thu.su  who  wi  re  loyal- 
ists at  heart  readily  took  the  oath  ;  but  great  reluctiuice  was 
manifested  on  the  part  of  those  whose  i)redilections  ran  witli 
the  Whigs.  These,  however,  were  threatened  with  the  pains 
and  penalties  of  arrest,  confiscation,  and  death,  in  case  of  re- 
fusal ;  so  that  for  the  most  part  they  couiplied  with  tlu;  chimand 
of  the  (Commissioners,  and  took  the;  oath  of  (iiklity  to  the  ('rown. 
Lnmediately  on  taking  the  oath,  the  hat  of  the  subject  was  de- 
corated with  a  piece  of  scarlet  cloth  ;  while  some  of  those  most 
strongly  desirous  of  manifesting  their  loyalty,  wore  scarlet  caps. 
Prominent  among  the  latter  cliiss,  were  J  ,odwig  Snyder,  of  the 
Duanesbnrg  settlement,''  and  a  iMohawk  sachem  named  P«'ter 
Nickus,  \\'\u)  gave  oll'cnce  to  the  Whigs  by  brandishing  his 
tomahawk  and  occasionally  soiuiding  tiie  war-whoop. 

But  there  wer»?  a  W^w  bold  s|)irits  upon  whom  lunther  the 
threats  of  his  Majesty's  ollieer.s,  nor  the  menaces  of  the  Indians 
in  their  conipany,  had  any  cflect.  They  refused  peremptorily 
to  take  the  oath.     Chief  among  these  were  Ni;.holas  Sternberg 


*  Snyder  aAcrwurd  alijurcd  U)0  ltn)al  cnuac,  and  diiiclinrgiHi  his  diiiy  faitlifkilly  na 


1778.] 


A    SCENE    IX    SCHOHARIE 


315 


Mo 
lii.s 
ily 

ns 


and  William  Doitz,  who  left  the  parade  on  the  evening  of  the 
first  or  second  day,  and  returned  to  their  homes — hitterly  de- 
nounced as  rebels  and  traitors  by  the  Royali^^ts,  and  tiireatened 
with  a  visit  of  Tories  and  Indians  durinjr  the  nij^lit.  To  avoid 
an  arrest,  Sternberg  took  to  the  woods  at  evening,  leaving  his 
family  in  great  anxiety,  although  the  slaves,  of  whom  he  pos- 
sessed a  large  numljer,  voluinv-wrcd  to  defend  their  mistress  and 
the  children.  But  there  was  no  pursuit,  and  the  recusants  both 
returned  to  the  parac'e  on  the  following  day — determined,  of 
course,  to  render  all  proper  obedience  to  the  laws  yet  in  force, 
hut  c(iually  determined  not  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance ; 
although  Mrs.  Sternberg  besought  her  husband,  with  tears,  not 
to  jeopard  his  own  safety,  and  the  lives  of  his  family,  by  longer 
refusal.  Nay,  she  went  farther  ;  and  appealing  to  the  Ihbie,  tiio 
good  woman  showed  him  the  passage  in  which  all  men  are  en- 
joined ''to  fear  God  and  honor  the  King."  Hut  it  was  with 
Sternberg  as  with  the  Puritans,  lie  believed  ihat  "opposition 
to  tyrants  was  obedience  to  God,"  as  implicitly  as  did  thf;  re- 
gicides who  engraved  that  immortal  sentiiuent  upon  the  Now 
Haven  rock  ;  and  ho  was  inilexible  in  his  purpnsp 

l"'ortunately,  however,  in  the  course  of  the  day  affairs  took 
quite  a  dill'ereut  turn.  It  was  at  about  the  middle  of  the  after- 
noon that  Captain  Mann  mustered  those  who  had  taken  the 
Oiilh  and  received  the  red  badge.  They  numbered  oni;  him- 
dred  and  upw;ud,  and  were  paraded  before  the  Captain's  own 
house  to  perform  their  martial  exercise,  when  their  attention 
was  arrested  by  the  sound  of  steeds  lrauij)ling  in  the  dis- 
tanco.  A  momciiL  longer,  and  a  cloud  of  horsemen  came  gal- 
loping along  the  highway  from  tlu!  direction  of  Albany,  with 
drawn  swords  ihishiiiijf  bri<fbtly  in  the  sun.  These  unexpected 
visitci  proved  to  be  (.'aptain  Woodbake,  and  two  hundred 
cavalry,  the  object  of  wliose  approach  was  to  disperse  the  Koyal 
gathering  and  proclaim  the  government  of  the  republic. 
Their  arrival  was  exceedingly  inopiiortuno  for  Captain  INhuui, 
wiio  was  cut  short  in  the  midst  of  a  loyal  oration,  in  which  ho 
was  commending  his  citizen-soldiers  for  their  loyalty,  and 
threatening  those  who  refused  the  badgi;  of  their  sovereign, 
with  veuiftiance,  swift  and  inevitable.  As  the  cavalry  ap- 
jiroached,  Captain  Ahum  took  to  his  hocis  and  fled;  while  his 
loyal  followeis,  many  of  whom  had  assumed  the  bol'ore-mon- 


.4. 


310 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1778 


tioned  insignia,  and  sifyned  the  royal  muster-roll  on  compul- 
sion, either  followed  his  example  or  threw  away  their  red  caps, 
and  tore  off  the  scarlet  patches  from  their  hats,  with  the  utmost 
possible  expedition.  Orders  were  immediately  issued  by  Cap- 
tain Woodbakc  that  Mann  should  be  taken  and  brought  to 
him— alive,  if  possible,  but  if  not — not.  Numbers  started  in 
pursuit,  while  those  who  remained  upon  the  ground  were  col- 
iect'cd  into  line,  and  a  proclamation  was  read  to  them  by  Captain 
Woodbake,  declaring  the  Royal  authority  at  an  end — pronounc- 
inff  the  acts  of  the  King's  Commissioners  null  and  void — and 
absolving  the  people  from  the  oath  of  allegiance  just  taken, 
upon  the  ground  that,  by  the  laws  neither  of  God  nor  man.  are 
oaths  binding  which  have  been  taken  upon  compulsion.  Com- 
mending those  who  had  refused  to  take  the  oath  for  their 
patriotism,  he  informed  them  that  a  Committee  of  Safety  must 
be  appointed,  who  would  temporarily  be  inve^lcd  with  the  civil 
and  military  authority  of  the  district,  and  until,  by  elections  and 
otherwise,  the  government  could  be  organized  in  a  more  regular 
manner.  Nicholas  Sternberg  and  William  Deitz  were  there- 
upon nominated  by  Woodbake  to  serve  as  said  Committee,  and 
investiMl  orally  with  all  uecnKSu  y  power  for  ihc  guvernment  of 
the  district ;   and  the  people  were  enjoined  lo  obedience. 

The  affairs  of  the  go venunont  having  thus  been  settled,  all 
liands  were  ordered  in  pursuit  of  Captain  Mann,  and  sentinels 
were  posted  at  dillbrent  points  of  observation.  Among  these 
was  Mr.  Sternberg's  eldest  son  Tiambert,  who  was  stationed  by 
the  side  of  a  wheat-stack,  sheltered  by  a  roof  of  thatch  upon 
four  posts.*  The  orders  were  strict,  that  if  Maim  would  not 
surrender,  he  must  be  shot.  Toward  evening,  on  the  approach 
of  a  thunder-giist,  young  Sternberg,  who  was  a  lad  of  only 
Ki.xtcen  years,  clinihed  to  the  top  of  the  wheat-stack  for  shelter, 
where,  to  his  great  surprir^e,  he  stumbled  uj)on  the  loyal  cap- 
tain. 'I'he  yoiuh  infonncfl  him  at  once  that  he  must  surrender 
or  bo  shot.  The  ('aptaiii  ihiplored  for  merry  -declaring  that 
ho  dared  not  to  sur  ^"der  'limsolf  to  Woodbake,  hecauro  his 
life  would  be  taken.  VUo  youth  repo:. 'ed  that  his  orders  were 
explicit,  and  he  miu'     urrender  or  be  shot.     But  Mann  had 


*  Tln>»f.  «tninliir<<ii  In  nnw  rniinirioi,  where  barns  ore  not  large  enough  to  ihcltnr 
tha  pruduco,  arc  uillud  bnrracki*. 


:m^ 


1778.] 


A    SCENE    IK    SCHOHARIE. 


3i: 


Btiir 


lived  a  neighbor  to  his  father — had  ever  been  kind  to  him — and 
his  heart  failed  at  the  thought  of  taking  his  Hfe.  He  then  pro- 
posed to  the  Captain  to  fire  his  musket  by  way  of  alarni,  that 
others  miglit  come  and  take  him.  But  this  was  objected  to  by 
Mann  with  equal  earnestness.  It  now  thundered  and  lighten- 
ed fearfully,  while  the  rain  descended  in  torrents.  Watching 
his  opportunity,  therefore,  and  availing  himself  of  the  conflict 
of  the  elements,  and  that,  also,  which  was  working  in  the  bo- 
som of  his  young  neighbor  so  suddenly  placed  in  hostile  array 
against  him,  Mann  contrived  to  spring  from  his  hiding  place, 
and  by  sliding  down  upon  one  of  the  barrack-posts,  effected  his 
escape  into  a  corn-field  and  thence  into  the  woods.  The 
stripling  soldier  fired,  as  in  duty  bound,  but  doubtless  rejoiced 
that  the  shot  was  without  effect. 

On  the  next  day,  information  having  been  received  that  a 
body  of  Indians  were  lurking  in  the  neighborhood  of  Middle- 
burg,  a  few  miles  farther  up  the  valley.  Captain  Woodbake  pro- 
ceeded thither  with  his  squadron  of  horse.  Tlie  only  Indian 
seen  was  the  before-mentioned  sachem,  Peter  Nickus,  who  was 
discovered  in  a  thirkpt  of  jinzc!  burhcs,  and  iniinLdiutuly  brought 
to  the  ground  by  a  shot  that  broke  his  thigh.  Several  pif-tols 
were  simultaneously  snapped  at  him,  but  without  effect;  the 
troops  then  dismounted,  and  running  upon  the  wounded  Indian, 
inhumanly  hnckcd  him  to  pieces  with  their  swords,  Peter 
Nickus  was  therefore  the  first  victim  of  the  Revolution  in  the 
Valley  of  the  Schohariekill,  nor  does  it  appear  that  he  had 
himself  been  guilty  of  any  act  of  positive  hostility. 

All  search  for  Captain  Mann  was  for  the  time  fruitless.  He 
succeeded  in  escjiping  to  the  mountains,  where  he  remained 
fifteen  days;  but  at  length  was  induced  to  surrender  thnmuh 
the  intervention  of  friends,  on  condition  that  ho  should  receive 
no  personal  injury.  He  was  thereupon  taken  to  Albany,  and 
kept  in  confinement  to  the  end  of  the  war." 

♦  The  property  of  ruplnin  Mnnn  •*«■  not  confi*<ciilo(l,  niid  ho  wan  sufliTcd  to 
return  011(1  ri|)(mm'!»s  hiiiincir  of  hm  mlalo,  \vli»>r<'  he  hvixl  niid  died  ii  tiiithful  eitiicn 
of  the  rppul)hc.  All  th«  families  nnrncd  in  this  narrativo  were  of  great  renpertHhihty, 
Olid  their  dexcenrlcuitu  are  still  in  timt  neelion  of  ((mnfry.  The  author  has  derived 
the  facts  of  the  four  hmt  pree.-ding  pajten  from  a  written  narrative  hy  the  son  of 
ISieholiia  Sternherif.  It  wan  thrown  out  of  its  proper  ehrcMHilogieul  order,  l»ccaii»o 
not  rcuoivixt  until  ailor  this  chapter  was  in  the  hands  of  the  |>rmtor. 


^^IB^ 


,m^V.."'';V 


CHAPTER  XV. 


Iff 


The  story  of  Wjomin" — Glancn  nt,  its  history — Bloody  bnltle  between  the  Shawa- 
neae  and  Delawares — Count  Zinzcndorf — Conflicting  Indian  claims  and  titles — 
Rival  land  companies  of  Connecticut  and  Pennsylvania — Murder  of  Tadensund 
—The  firit  Connecticut  Colony  destroyed  by  the  Indians — Controversy  respecting 
their  titles — Rival  Colonies  planted  in  Wyominjc — The  civil  wars  of  Wyoming — 
Bold  ndventiu'c  of  Captain  0<:den — Fiercepassionsof  the  people — The  Connecti- 
cut settlers  prevail — Growth  of  the  settlements — Annexed  toConnreticut — Break- 
ingoul  of  the  Revolution— The  inhahitants,  stimulated  by  previous  hatred,  take  sides 
— Arrest  of  suspected  persons  in  January — Sent  to  Hartford — Evd  consequences 
— The  enemy  appear  upon  the  outskirts  of  the  settlements  in  the  Spring — Inva- 
sion by  Colonel  John  Butler  and  the  Indians — Colonel  Zebulon  Butler  prepares 
to  oppose  them — Two  of  the  torts  taken — Colonel  Z.  Butler  marches  to  encounter 
the  enemy — Battle  of  Wyoming — The  Americans  defeated — The  flight  and  mas- 
sacre— Fort  Wyoming  besieged — Timidity  of  the  garrison — Zebulon  Butler's 
authority  not  sustained — lie  escapes  from  the  fort — Colonel  Denniston  forced  to 
capitulate — Destruction  of  the  Valley — Barbarities  of  the  Tories — Brant  not  intho 
expedition — Catharine  Montour — Flisht  of  the  fuuitives — Expedition  of  Colonel 
Hartley  up  the  Susquehanna — Colonel  Zr.bulon  Butler  repossesses  himself  of  Wyo- 
ming, and  rebuilds  the  fort — In'ian  skirmishes— Close  of  the  History  of  Wyoming. 

The  melancholy  story  of  Wyoming  stands  next  in  chrono- 
logical order.  It  does  not,  indeed,  appertain  directly  to  the 
liistory  of  the  Mohawk  Valley  ;  but  it  is  nevertheless  coiitiecluu 
intimately  with  that  history,  while  it  has  ever  been  rr  ^.jarded  as 
one  of  the  most  prominent  events  in  the  border  history  of  the 
Revolutionary  contest.  Its  importance,  moreover,  as  a  section 
of  the  Indian  portion  of  that  contest,  is  such  as  to  warrant  the 
episode,  if  snch  it  must  be  called.  Many  were  the  battles  du- 
ring (hat  struggle,  of  far  greater  importance  than  the  affair  of 
Wyoming,  both  in  regard  to  their  magnitude  and  their  results  ; 
and  many  were  the  scenes  characterised  by  equal  if  not  greater 
atrocity.  But  from  a  variety  of  circumstances,  as  well  ante- 
cedent as  subscqunnt  to  the  battle,  it  has  happened  that  no  event 
connected  with  the  aboriginal  wars  of  our  country  stands  out 
in  bolder  relief  than  that.  Sixty  years  have  elapsed  since  the 
tragedy  of  Wyoming  was  enacted  ;  the  actors  themselves  arc 
no  more;  and  yet  the  very  mention  of  the  event  sends  a  chill 
current  to  every  youthful  heart,  while  the  theatre  of  the  action 
itself  has  been  rendc^red  classic  as  well  as  consecrated,  by  the 
nndying  mmibors  of  one  of  the  most  gifted  bards  of  the  age. 
So  long  as  English  poetry  exists,  will  the  iintiginary  tale  ot 
GiiiiTiiL'DK  of  Wyoming  be  read,  admired,  and  w.^pt  ;  and 


f 
I 

t 
a 

ii 
tl 
it 
1 

IN 

w 


n.a 
me 
be 
wai 

g'ln 


„  .\. 


1778.] 


HISTORY    OF    WYOMING. 


319 


thousands,  in  every  goiieration  to  come,  will  receive  the  beau- 
tiful fiction  for  truth,  while  the  details  of  fact  by  the  faithful 
historian,  rejecting  the  exaggerations  of  Ramsay  and  Gordon, 
and  their  associate  writers  of  the  revolutionary  era,  together 
with  compilers  more  modern,  who  have  taken  no  pains  to  inquire 
for  the  truth,  may  be  regarded  as  too  common-place  and  unim- 
portant for  attention. 

Wyoming  is  the  name  of  a  beautiful  section  of  the  valo  of 
the  Susquehanna,  situated  in  the  north  eastern  part  of  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania.  It  is  twenty-fiv^e  miles  in  length,  by  about 
three  in  breadth,  lying  deep  between  two  parallel  ranges  of 
mountains,  crested  with  oak  and  pine.  The  scenery  around  is 
wild  and  picturesque,  while  the  valley  itself  might  be  chosen 
for  another  paradise.* 

The  possession  of  this  valley  has  not  been  an  object  of  the 
white  man's  ambition  or  cupidity  alone.  It  has  been  the  subject 
of  controversy,  and  the  fierce  battle-ground  of  various  Indian 
tribes,  within  the  white  man's  time,  but  before  his  possession  ; 
and  from  the  remains  of  fortifications  discovered  tliorc,  so  an- 
cient that  the  largest  oaks  and  pines  have  struck  root  upon  the 
ramparts  and  in  the  entrenchments,  it  must  once  have  been  the 
scat  of  power,  and  perhaps  of  a  splendid  court,  thronged  by 
chivalry,  and  taste,  and  beauty  -of  a  race  of  men  far  different 
from  the  Indians,  known  tons  since  the  discovery  of  Columbus. 
It  was  here  that  the  benevolent  Count  Zinzendorf  pitched  his 
tent,  on  commencing  his  Christian  labors  among  the  Shawanese, 
and  where  he  was  saved  from  assassination  by  the  providential 
intervention  of  a  poisonous  reptile.  Originally  it  lay  within 
the  territory  of  the  Lenni  Lenape,  or  Delaware  Indians  ;  but 
it  was  claimed  by  the  Six  Nations  by  right  of  conquest.  In 
1712  a  grand  council  of  the  chiefs  and  warriors  of  the  Six 
Nations  and  Delawares  was  held  in  Philadelphia,  in  conse- 
quence of  dirticulties  touching  the  title  to  certain  lands  lying 
within  the  forks  of  the  Delaware,  which  the  proprietaries  of 


♦  Wyoming  is  a  corruption  oi  tho  namo  given  to  the  place  by  the  Delaware  In- 
(i.ans,  who  called  it  Maughioauwame.  The  word  is  a  contpoiind  ;  JMaughwitu 
m>>aning  large  or  cxtot.sive,  and  wame  plains  or  meadows  ;  bo  that  the  name  may 
be  trannlated  "  The  f.m\!:;e  I'lninsV  In  the  ianj^uagn  of  the  8ix  Nations,  Wyoming 
was  called  Si^ahoiUowiuM,  or  "  Tlie  Large  Flatt.i."  '(iahonto  meaning,  in  thoir  lan- 
guage, a  large  piece  of  ground  without  lree« — C'.'ifi/>»i(i/t',»  fli.slnnj  nf  Wyoming. 


320 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1778. 


^1    !? 


I  ^^ 


M. 


«iJS;«' 


!'■     :i 


h 


Pennsylvania  alleged  that  William  Penn  had  purchased  of 
the  Delawares,  but  which  the  Delawares  yet  retained  in  pos- 
session, while  at  the  same  time  the  Six  Nations  claimed  the 
ownership.  The  Governor  of  Pennsylvania  having  explained 
the  state  of  the  case  to  the  council,  reminded  the  chiefs  of  the 
Six  Nations  that,  inasmuch  as  they  had  always  acquired  the 
government  of  Pennsylvania  to  remove  such  wluicsj  as  intruded 
upon  their  lands,  so  now  the  government  expected  the  Six 
Nations  to  remove  the  Indians  from  the  lands  which  it  hnd 
purchased.*  Old  Cannassateego  was  the  master  spirit  of  the 
Iroquois  delegation  on  thisoccasion  ;  and, after  due  <  onsideration, 
he  pronounced  the  decision  of  his  associate  chiefs.  He  rebuked 
the  Delawares  in  the  sharpest  terms  for  their  dishonesty  and 
duplicity,  in  first  selling  land  which  did  not  belong  to  them, 
and  even  then  retaining  possession  of  it  themselves.  He 
taunted  them  for  their  degraded  condition,  as  having  been  con- 
quered and  made  women  of  by  his  people,  and  after  an  indig- 
nant philippic,  ordered  them  to  leave  the  disputed  territory',  and 
remove  to  Wyoming  or  Shamokin. 

The  commands  of  the  Six  Nations  were  neither  to  be  cues- 
tion  nor  disregarded,  by  the  surrounding  Indian  nations,  at  that 
stage  of  their  history,  and  the  clan  of  the  Delawares  occupying 
the  land  in  dispute,  forthwith  removed  to  Wyoming,  then  in 
the  partial  occupancy  of  a  clan  of  the  Shawanese.  But  the 
latter  wero  friendly  to  the  Six  Nations  at  that  time,  and  were 
suP'oiod  to  roiain  possession  of  the  west  side  of  the  river,  while 
tiie  Delawares  planted  themselves  down  upon  the  east,  and 
built  their  town  of  Maughwau  wame — the  original  of  Wyoming. 

But  the  close  proximity  of  the  two  clans  or  parts  of  nations, 
was  no  addition  to  their  happiness.  Mutual  jealousies  were 
entertained ;  and  no  long  period  of  time  elapsed  before  their 
animosities  were  sharpened  into  actual  hostilities  upon  the 
smallest  provocation.  At  length  there  was  cause  for  more  sub- 
stantial war.  On  the  breaking  out  of  hostilities  between  the 
French  and  American  Colonies,  in  what  is  now  called  the  old 
French  war,  the  Shawanese  espoused  the  side  of  the  French, 
while  the  Six  Nations  and  Delawares  adhered  to  the  English. 
Still  the  two  Indian  connnunities  in  Wyoming  did  not  actually 
take  up  arms  in  fhat  contest,  tnitil  the  occurrence  of  an  inci- 

•  (Jliopinan's  llioloiy  of  Wjoin'mg. 


[1778. 

ihnsed  of 
d  in  pos- 
liined  the 
explained 
3fs  of  the 
iiired  the 
I  intruded 
.  the  Six 
;h  it  had 
lit  of  the 
lideration, 
e  rebuked 
nesty  and 

to  them, 
Ives.  He 
been  con- 

an  indig- 
itory,  and 

0  be  ones- 

A 

>ns,  at  that 
)ccupying 
ar,  then  in 
But  the 
and  were 
Iver,  while 
east,  and 
Vyomino'. 
nations, 
ies  were 
ore  their 
upon   the 
more  sub- 
ween  the 
d  the  old 
French, 
English, 
t  actually 
an  inci- 


'•  T 


1773.] 


Hr.STORY    OF    WYOMING. 


321 


dent  which,  it  is  believed,  may  be  set  down  for  the  smallest  cause 
of  war  as  yet  recorded  in  history.  It  happened  one  day,  while 
the  Delaware  warriors  were  upon  the  chase  among  the  moun- 
tains, that  their  women  and  children  were  gathering  fruit  along 
the  margin  of  the  river  below  their  town.  While  thus  engaged, 
a  party  of  the  Shawanese  women  and  children  paddled  their 
canoes  across  the  river  and  joined  them.  In  the  course  ol  the 
morning  a  Shawanese  child  caught  a  large  grasshopper — the 
species,  probably,  having  parti-colored  wings — and  a  quarrel 
arose  among  the  children  for  the  possession  of  the  insect.  In 
this  quarrel  the  mothers  soon  begau  to  participate,  and  an 
Amazonian  battle  was  the  consequence.  The  Delaware  squaws 
contended  that  the  Shawanese  li  i  !  no  right  to  trespass  upon 
their  side  of  the  river ;  and  aftci  ral  had  been  killed  upon 

both  sides,  the  latter,  who  were  tb  ^aker  party,  were  driven 
to  the  canoes,  and  their  own  hoinc^. 

Upou  the  return  of  the  warriors  of  the  respective  tribes,  both 
prepared  to  avenge  the  wrongs  of  their  wives  and  children. 
The  Shawanese  were  the  invaders  ;  but  they  were  met  at  the 
river's  brink  by  the  Delawares,  nothing  averse  to  tlie  combat, 
who  obstinately  opposed  their  landing  from  their  canoes. 
Great  numbers  were  killed,  chiefly  of  the  Shawanese,  before 
they  gained  the  shore.  Succeeding  in  this  however,  a  battle, 
furious  and  bloody,  was  fought  about  a  mile  below  the  Dela- 
ware town,  iu  which  several  hundreds  were  killed  on  both 
sides.  The  Shawanese,  whose  forces  had  been  greatly  weak- 
ened at  the  lauding,  were  at  length  overpowered,  and  obliged 
to  escape  as  best  they  could,  with  the  loss  of  half  their  number. 
The  consequpuce  of  this  defeat  was  the  immediate  evacuation 
of  the  valley,  which  they  left,  to  join  the  greater  body  of  their 
nation  on  the  Ohio.*  To  the  Delawares,  who  had  been  op- 
pressed and  denationalized  by  the  Iroquois  or  Six  Nations,  tlie 
victory  was  of  great  importance — re-establishing,  as  it  did,  their 
character  as  brave  warriors,  although  it  was  not  until  many 
years  afterward  that  the  sentence  of  being  considered  women 
was  revoked  by  their  former  conquerors. 

Stiil,  at  the  time  when  Count  Zinzendorf  commenced  the 
mission  of  the  United  Brethren  iu  that  valley,  the  jurisdiction 

♦  Chapman's  History  of  Wyoming. 


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322 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1778. 


was  conceded  to  belong  to  the  Six  Nations  ;  and  a  formal  per- 
mission was  given  to  the  count  by  the  latter,  to  preach  the  Gos- 
pel among  them.  He  was  met  by  a  numerous  embassy  of  their 
chiefs,  from  whom  he  received  a  speech  of  welcome,  which  at 
once  laid  the  foundation  of  a  good  understanding  between 
them.*  But,  notwithstanding  this  admitted  superiority  of  the 
Iroquois  in  the  time  of  Sir  William  Johnson,  the  rival  and  con- 
flicting Indian  claims  of  title  were  the  cause  of  rival  negotia- 
tions between  the  white  land-speculators  and  both  nations  of 
Indians,  which  in  the  end  were  the  cause  of  many  and  very 
sore  evils,  as  will  presently  appear. 

The  first  movement  to>vard  the  planting  of  a  white  colony 
in  the  Wyoming  Valley  v/as  made  by  Connecticut  in  1753.  It 
was  justly  held  that  this  section  of  country  belonged  originally 
to  the  grant  of  James  I.,  in  1620,  to  the  old  Plymouth  Company. 
The  Earl  of  Warwick  and  his  associates  having  purchased  the 
right  of  the  Plymouth  Company  to  the  territory  of  Connecticut 
and  the  lands  beyond  New  Jersey,  west,  "  from  sea  to  sea," 
within  certoin  limits,  Connecticut  claimed  under  that  grant. 
But  no  sooner  was  a  company  formed  to  plant  n  colony  in 
Wyoming — called  the  Susquehanna  Company — than  Penn- 


)  n  I 


I  I 


*  Heckcweldor.  Tho  incident  of  the  eorpcnt,  referred  to  in  a  preceding  pogr, 
was  as  follows : — Jealous  of  tho  Count's  intentions  in  coming  oinong  them, 
some  of  the  Indians  had  resolved  upon  liis  death.  "  Zinzcndorf  was  alone  in  his 
tent,  seated  upon  a  bundle  of  weeds  composing;  his  bed,  and  engaged  in  writing, 
when  tho  assassins  opproached  to  execute  their  bloody  commission.  It  was  night, 
and  tho  cool  air  of  September  had  rendered  a  fire  necessary  to  his  comfort.  A  blanket 
curtain  was  tlic  only  guard  to  the  entrance  of  his  tent.  The  heat  of  Itis  fire  had 
drawn  fortli  a  largo  rattlesnake  from  tho  contiguous  brake ;  and  tho  reptile,  to  enjoy 
the  genial  wormtli,  had  crawled  slowly  into  the  tent,  and  passed  over  one  of  tho  holy 
man's  logs  unporcoivod.  Without,  all  was  still  and  quiet,  except  the  distant  sound 
of  tl)o  river  at  tho  rapids  a  mite  below.  At  this  moment  tho  Indians  softly  approached 
the  door  of  his  tent,  and  gently  removing  tho  curtain,  contemplated  the  venerable 
man,  too  deeply  en<;aged  in  tlio  subject  of  his  thoughts  to  ol>sorvo  cither  their  ap- 
proach or  tho  serpent  which  lay  extended  before  him.  At  a  sight  liko  this,  even  tho 
heart  of  tiio  savages  shrank  from  tlio  idea  of  committing  the  barbarous  act,  and  they 
hastily  returnod  to  tJieir  lodge,  and  informed  their  rompanions  that  tho  Orial  Spirit 
protected  tho  stranger,  for  they  had  found  him  with  no  door  but  a  blanket,  and  hnd 
soon  a  Inrgo  rattlesnako  crawl  over  his  legs  without  attempting  to  injure  him." 
This  circumstanco  wrought  as  groat  a  chango  as  did  tho  incident  of  tho  viper,  ofler 
tho  shipwreck,  in  the  fortunos  of  Paul.  The  Coimt  soon  acquired  tho  confidence  of 
Uie  Indians;  and  the  occurrence  probably  rontrihntnd  ossonlially  to. vard  inducing 
many  of  Ihom  subsequontly  to  ombraco  tho  Christian  n\\gfon,—Chapmm'i  llii> 
Wyoming, 


«i- 


78. 


1778.] 


HISTORV    OF    WYOJIINO. 


323. 


sylvania  preferred  a  claim  to  the  same  territory,  under  a  grant 
Irom  Charles  II.  to  William  Penn,  in  1681,  covering  the  whole 
claim  of  Connecticut ;  and  a  rival  association,  called  the  Dela- 
ware Compani/,  was  organised  in  like  manner  to  settle  it. 
The  strife  of  each,  at  first,  was  to  circumvent  the  other  in  pur- 
chasing: the  Indian  title.  At  this  time  it  was  conceded  that  the 
aboriginal  proprietaries  were  the  Six  Nations ;  and,  though  beset 
on  all  sides,  old  King  Hendrick  refused  for  a  time  to  dispose  of 
the  territory  to  either  party.  Ultimately,  however,  the  Six 
Nations  sold  to  the  Susquehanna  Company  ;  and  in  1755  the 
Connecticut  Colony  was  commenced.  But  by  reason  of  the 
French  and  Indian  wars,  their  settlers  were  compelled  to  re- 
turn to  Connecticut,  and  the  obstacles  became  so  numerous,  that 
it  was  not  until  1762  that  they  weio  enabled  to  obtain  a  foot- 
hold. 

The  Pennsylvanians  immediately  prepared  to  oppose  the 
settlers  from  Connecticut.  A  case  was  made  up  and  trans- 
mitted to  England,  on  which  Mr.  Pratt,  the  Attorney  General, 
(afterward  Lord  Camden,)  gave  an  opinion  in  favor  of  the  suc- 
cessors of  Penn.  Connecticut  likewise  se-it  over  a  case,  and 
on  her  part  obtained  a  like  favorable  opinion  from  eminent 
counse'.  In  this  position  of  the  controversy,  a  catastrophe  be- 
fel  the  infant  settlement,  which  put  an  end  to  the  enterprise  for 
several  years.  Thus  far  the  relations  between  the  Colonists 
and  the  Indians  had  been  of  the  most  pacific  character.  Tlic 
old  Delaware  chief  Tadeuskund,  who  had  embraced  the  Chris- 
tian religion,  was,  with  his  people,  their  friend.  But  he  had 
given  oflcnco  to  some  of  the  Six  Nations  in  1758,  a  party  of 
whom  came  among  the  Uelawnres,  under  the  guise  of  friend- 
ship, in  April,  1763,  and  murdered  the  venerable  chief  by  set- 
ting fire  to  his  dwelling,  in  which  he  was  consumed.*  The 
murder  was  charged  by  the  Indians  upon  the  adventurers  from 
Connecticut.     But  the  emigrants,  unconscious  that  a  storm  was 

•  Tailcunkund  woi  a  Dclnwaro  cliiif  of  note.  Prrvioiisto  llio  year  17.50,  hti  wai 
known  among  the  iMiglinli  by  \]w  iminc  of  llontft  John.  1  f<i  wufi  hnplizud  by  tbo 
MorovianK.  but  wao  wavering  and  incnnotanl.  Up  wni"  too  fond  of  tho  war-path  to 
bwoino  a  con.  islont  follower  of  tho  pncific  Moraviansi.  Whon  ho  law  opporlnnitius 
of  aijtnaliung  liiniHolf  ai  a  warrior,  thorefori*,  he  Ivft  his  fiiith,  tn  ro-ombrnco  it  ai 
ini}{ht  auit  Ilia  policy,  llo  inclined  to  Uio  Fronch  in  tho  war;  but  aiHixtcxI  in  con- 
rUidin);  a  poaco  among  aevoral  Indian  nationi  in  17.'i8,  wliiuh  gavu  umbrago  tu  tho 
Mix  Nations. 


*.| 


^i 


324 


LIFE   OP    BUANT. 


[1778. 


I  ; 

it       'r 


rising  against  them,  remained  in  fancied  security.  They  had 
given  no  offence ;  and  in  order  to  allay  any  suspicions  that 
niia^ht  otherwise  be  awakened  among  the  Indians,  they  had 
even  neglected  to  provide  themselves  with  weapons  for  self- 
protection.  The  consequence  was  the  sudden  destruction  of 
their  settlement  by  a  party  of  Delaware  Indians,  on  the  15tli 
of  October.  The  descent  was  made  upon  the  town  while  the 
men  were  at  work  in  the  fields.  About  twenty  persons  were 
killed,  and  several  were  taken  prisoners.  Those  who  could, 
men,  women,  and  children,  fled  to  the  woods  and  the  moun- 
tains, from  whence  they  were  compelled  to  behold  the  sad 
spectacle  of  their  dwellings  in  flames,  and  the  Indians  making 
off  with  the  remAins  of  their  little  property.  Their  flight 
through  a  trackless  forest  to  the  Delaware,  unprovided  with 
food,  and  unprotected  by  suitable  clothing  against  the  searching 
weather  of  Autumn,  was  painful  to  a  degree.  But  even  then 
their  journey  was  not  ended,  as  they  had  yet  to  proceed  back 
to  Connecticut,  destitute,  and  on  foot. 

In  1708  the  Delaware  Company  took  advantage  of  a  treaty 
holden  at  Fort  Stanwix,  and  purchased  of  the  same  Six  Nations, 
who  had  sold  to  the  Connecticut  Company,  the  same  territory 
of  Wyoming.  The  Pennsylvanians  entered  upon  immediate 
possession  ;  and  when,  on  the  opening  of  the  ensuing  Spring, 
the  Connecticut  Colonists  returned  with  recruits,  they  found 
others  in  the  occupancy  of  the  lands,  with  a  block-house  erected, 
and  armed  for  defence,  under  the  direction  of  Amos  Ogden 
and  Charles  Stewart,  to  whom  a  lease  of  a  section  of  land  in 
the  heart  of  the  valley  had  been  granted  by  John  Penn,  for 
the  express  purpose  of  ousting  the  Connecticut  claimants. 
Here  was  a  new  and  unexpected  state  of  things.  Some  of  tlio 
leading  men  of  the  Connecticut  Colony  were  decoyed  into  tho 
block-house,  arresti'd,  and  sent  off  to  a  distant  prison.  But  re- 
cruits coming  on  from  Connecticut,  they  in  turn  built  works  of 
defence,  and  proceeded  with  their  colonial  labors. 

In  the  Summer  of  1769,  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania  made 
preparations  to  dispossess  tho  intruders,  as  they  considered  tho 
Connecticut  people,  by  force  ;  and  a  detachment  of  armed  men, 
to  the  number  of  two  hundred,  was  sent  into  the  territory. 
Tho  Colonists  prepared  for  a  siege;  but  one  of  their  leaders 
having  been  taken  prisoner,  and  seni  lo  gaol  in  Philadelphia, 


\ 


k^ 


\4  4 


•8. 


1778.] 


HISTORY    OF    WYOMING. 


325 


after  a  show  of  resistance,  and  having  no  weapons  of  defence 
but  small  arms,  they  capitulated,  and  agreed  to  leave  the  ter- 
ritory, with  the  exception  of  seventeen  families,  who  were  to 
remain  and  secure  the  crops.  But  no  sooner  had  the  Colonists 
departed,  than  the  Pennsylvanians,  led  by  Ogden,  plundered 
the  whole  colony,  destroying  their  fields  of  grain,  killing  their 
cattle,  and  laying  the  whole  settlement  in  ruin  ;  so  that  the 
seventeen  families  were  compelled  to  fly  from  starvation. 

In  the  month  of  Feburary,  1770,  tlvi  Connecticut  Colonists 
rallied,  and  marched  upon  Wyoming,  under  a  man  named  Ln 
zirus  Stewart.  They  took  Ogden's  house  and  his  piece  of  ar- 
tillery, during  his  absence.  But  on  his  return  he  collected  his 
friends,  and  hostilities  ensued  between  the  two  parties,  which 
were  prosecuted  with  varying  success  for  several  weeks. 
During  this  time,  an  engagement  occurred,  in  which  several 
were  killed  and  wounded  on  both  sides.  Ogden's  house,  which 
had  been  fortified,  was  besieged,  and  finally  taken — after  several 
days'  cannonading,  and  the  destruction  of  one  of  his  block- 
houses, containing  his  supplies,  by  fire.  In  the  terms  of  capi- 
tulation the  Connecticut  party  allowed  Ogden  to  leave  six  men 
in  charge  of  his  remainina:  property.  But  the  conduct  of  Og- 
den the  preceding  year  had  not  been  forgotten,  and  the  lex  ta- 
lionis  was  rigidly  and  speedily  executed. 

In  September  following,  a  force  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men 
was  sent  against  the  Connecticut  settlers,  under  the  command 
of  Captain  Ogden,  as  he  was  now  called.  Me  look  the  settle- 
ment entirely  by  surprise,  wliile  the  lal)orers  were  in  the  fields 
at  work,  and  the  women  and  children  in  the  fort.  Many  of 
the  men,  nevertheless,  reached  the  fort,  and  pre;  ared  to  defend 
it;  but  it  was  carried  by  assault  in  tlie  night — the  women  and 
children  were  barbarously  trampled  under  foot — and  the  wholo 
settlement  plundered  and  destroyed  the  following  day,  with 
more  than  Indiim  rapacity.  The  Colonists  were  made  prisoners, 
and  sent  off  to  distant  gaols.  Thus  was  the  settlement  again 
broken  tip.  But  the  triumph  of  Ogden  was  brief  In  Decem- 
ber the  fort  was  airain  surprised  and  carried  by  Captain  Stew- 
art, at  the  head  of  some  Lancastrians  united  with  the  late  Co- 
lonists. A  few  of  the  men  fled  naked  to  the  woods ;  but  iho 
greater  portion,  together  with  the  women  and  children,  residing 
for  security  in  houses  built  within  tho  ramparts,  wore  taken 


3ja6 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1778. 


''■■  Hi'  I 


m 


prisoners.    These,  having  been  deprived  of  their  property,  were 
driven  from  the  valley. 

The  parties  to  these  controversies,  which  could  not  but  en- 
coder all  tho  bitterest  passions  in  the  nature  of  man  -render- 
ing what  might  have  been  a  second  Eden,  a  theatre  of  strife, 
discord,  and  "  hell-born  hate," — fought,  of  course,  as  they  pre- 
tended, under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  respective  States  to  which 
tliey  assumed  to  belong.  The  civil  authorities  of  Pennsylva- 
nia frequently  interposed ;  and  after  the  burning  of  Ogden's 
block-house,  attempts  were  made  to  arrest  several  of  the  Con- 
necticut party  for  arson.  Stewart  was  apprehended,  but  was 
soon  afterward  rescued. 

After  the  capture  of  the  fort  in  December,  tlie  Supreme 
Court  of  Pennsylvania  once  more  issued  a  writ  for  his  arrest, 
and  the  sheriff  was  sent  with  the  posse  at  his  heels  ;  but  the 
garrison  would  not  admit  him.  The  fort  was  fired  upon  by 
the  posse,  under  the  direction  of  the  sheriff,  and  in  returning 
the  fire,  one  of  the  Ogdens  (Nathan)  was  killed.  The  slierifF 
thereupon  drew  off  his  forces  for  the  night.  But  it  was  no 
sooner  dark,  than  Stewart  and  forty  of  his  men  withdrew  from 
the  fortress,  leaving  a  garrison  of  only  twelve  persons,  who  ca- 
pitulated on  the  following  morning.  Three  hundred  pounds 
reward  was  offered  by  the  Governor  of  Pennsylvania  for  the 
arrest  of  Stewart.  The  fort  was  left  in  charge  of  Amos  Ogdcn, 
who  induced  most  of  his  former  associates  to  return  with  him. 

In  July  following,  this  important  post  was  again  doomed  to 
change  hands.  The  Colony  was  invaded  by  Captain  Zebulou 
Butler,  with  upward  of  seventy  men.  These  being  joined  by 
Stewart  and  his  party,  they  immediately  took  possession  of  tlio 
lujids,  while  Ogden  with  his  people,  to  the  number  of  eighty- 
two,  retired  into  the  new  fort  of  Wyonung,  which  they  Iiad  just 
built,  and  prepared  for  resistance.  Tlie  contest  was  now  as- 
suming greater  importance  than  ever.  Butler  and  Stewart  at 
once  invested  the  fortress,  and  recruits  arriving  from  Connecti- 
cut, they  were  enabled  to  throw  up  redoubts,  and  open  en- 
trenchments for  a  regular  siege.  This  new  fort  was  planted 
directly  upon  the  bank  of  ilio  river.  Perceiving  himself  thus 
completely  shut  in,  Ogden  formed  the  bold  enterprise  of  leaving 
his  garrison  in  the  night,  and  floating  down  the  river,  past  the 
works  and  the  sentinels  of  the  enemy,  in  order  to  repair  to  Phila- 


I 


k 


1778.] 


HISTORY   OP   WYOMING. 


32r 


on  eii- 
)lantod 

f  thus 
euviiig 
asl  the 

Phila- 


delphia for  succors.  For  the  purpose  of  better  securing  his  €{?=• 
cape,  by  means  of  a  cord  he  caused  a  bundle  to  be  floated  along 
in  the  river  following  him,  which,  being  the  most  perceptible 
object,  would  naturally  attract  the  attention  and  receive  the 
fire  of  the  enemy,  if  discovered.  The  ruse  de  guerre  was 
completely  successful.  The  deceptive  object  did  attract  the 
attention  of  the  besiegers  and  received  their  fire ;  although 
Ogden  himself  was  in  immediate  peril,  since  his  hat  and  clothes 
were  riddled  with  bullets.  He  nevertheless  escaped  to  Phila^ 
delphia,  and  is  entitled  to  the  credit  of  performing  one  of  the 
boldest  and  most  diflicult  individual  exploits  on  record. 

In  consequence  of  these  tidings,  the  government  ordered  a 
force  of  one  hundred  men  to  be  sent  to  the  relief  of  Fort  Wyo- 
ming, commanded  by  Colonel  Asher  Clayton.  These  were  to 
be  separated  into  two  divisions,  and  marched  to  the  fort  from 
different  directions.  Captain  Dick,  with  one  division,  proceed- 
ed toward  the  fort  with  pack-horses  of  provisions  for  one  hun- 
dred men.  When  in  its  neighborhood,  however,  he  was  am- 
buscadrl  by  the  troops  of  Butler  and  Stewart,  and  thrown  into 
confusion  by  the  fire.  Twenty-two  of  the  party  succeeded  in 
getting  into  the  fort,  and  the  remainder,  with  four  pack-horses 
of  provisions,  fell  into  the  hands  of  Butler.  The  siege  conti- 
nued, and  was  prosecuted  with  great  vigor  until  the  14th  ot 
August,  when,  his  supplies  being  exhausted.  Colonel  Clayton, 
the  assailant,  capitulated — stipulating  that  his  troops,  together 
with  Ogden  and  his  party,  should  withdraw  from  Wyoming. 
Ogden  was  wounded  during  the  siege,  and  a  second  shoe  killed 
another  oflicer,  named  AVilliain  Ridyard,  upon  whom  the 
former  was  leaning,  beinp  faint  from  loss  of  blood. 

The  president  of  the  Pennsylvania  proprietaries  crmplainod 
of  the  conduct  of  the  Connecticut  people  in  these  hostilities, 
and  Governor  Trumbull  disclaimed  any  connexion  with  the 
affairs  of  Wyoming  on  the  part  of  the  State  over  which  he 
presided.  But  as  the  Connecticut  people  continued  to  poiir 
reinforcements  into  the  settlement,  the  Pennsylvanians  with- 
drew their  forces,  and  for  a  season  made  no  farther  attempts 
upon  the  territory. 

The  settlors  now  claimed  the  protection  of  Connecticut,  the 
govcrnmpnt  of  which  attempted  a  meditation  l)etween  the  peo- 
ple of  Wyoming  and  the  government  of  Pennsylvania— but 

4(> 


m 


329 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


[1778, 


rs      I 


f  i 


»• 


without  success.  Meantime  the  people  of  the  Colony  proceed- 
ed to  organize  a  government,  and  to  exorcise  almost  all  the 
attributes  of  sovereignty.  The  general  laws  of  Connecticut 
were  declared  to  be  in  force ;  but  for  their  local  legislation, 
they  organized  a  pure  democracy — the  people  of  all  their  towns 
and  settlements  meeting  in  a  body,  as  in  Athens  of  old,  and 
making  their  laws  for  themselves.  The  legislature  of  Connec- 
ticut extended  its  broad  a3gis  over  them,  framed  a  new  county 
called  Westmoreland,  and  attached  it  to  the  county  of  Litch- 
field in  the  parent  State.  Zebulon  Bntler  and  Nathan  Dennis- 
ton  were  appointed  justices  of  the  peace,  and  the  people  sent 
one  representative  to  the  Legislature  of  Connecticut.  The 
governments  of  Connecticut  and  Pennsylvania  kept  up  a  war 
of  proclamations  and  edicts  upon  the  subject,  while  the  settle- 
ment advanced  in  population  and  extent  with  unexampled 
rapidity. 

Thus  matters  proceeded  until  the  year  1775,  when,  just  after 
iiostilities  had  been  commenced  between  the  Colonies  and  the 
British  troops  at  Lexington,  the  old  feuds  between  the  settlers 
of  the  rival  companies  suddenly  broke  forth  again.  A  new 
settlement  of  the  one  was  attacked  by  the  militia  of  the  other, 
one  man  was  killed,  several  were  wounded,  and  others  made 
prisoners,  and  carried  off  to  a  distant  jail.  Other  outrages 
were  committed  elsewhere,  and  of  course  all  the  angry  pas- 
sions—all the  bitter  feelings  of  hatred  and  revenge  between  the 
rival  parties  claiming  the  soil  and  the  jurisdiction — broke  out 
afresh.  The  settlements  of  each  had  become  extended  during 
the  five  years  of  peace,  which  of  course  had  multiplied  the 
parties  to  the  contest ;  so  that,  as  the  inen  of  Wyoming  flew  to 
arms,  a  more  formidable  civil  war  than  ever  was  in  prospect,  at 
the  moment  when  every  arm  should  have  been  nerved  in  the 
common  cause  of  the  whole  country.* 

Congress  being  now  in  session,  interposed  its  authority  by  ^ 
way  of  mediatorial  resolutions.     But  to  no  purpose.     The  in- 
terposition was  repeated,  and  again  disregarded.     In  the  mean- 

♦  At  this  time  the  sc'ttloiiirnts  consisted  of  eight  townships,  viz:  Lncknwana, 
F,«otcr,  Kingston,  Wiiliosbnrr*,  Flyinouth,  Nantio/kt*,  Huntington,  and  Saleni; 
onih  containing  live  miles  square.  The  six  townsliips  wore  pretty  full  of  inhabit- 
ants; the  two  upper  ones  had  comparatively  few,  thinly  acaltort'd.—^/mort'i  Ac- 
meiiibnmcer,  for  1773. 


[y  v^^' 

!ca  the 
llco  out 

[uring 

!d  the 

lew  to 

)cct,  at 

in  the 

tity  by  if. 
Ihe  in- 

1  mean- 
Ik  awano, 

Salem ; 

inhabit- 
|iou'»  Rc' 


.  ^it' 


1778.] 


HISTORY   OP    WYOMING. 


329 


time  the  Pennsylvanians  brought  seven  hundred  men  into  the 
field,  who  were  marched  against  Wyoming  under  the  direction 
of  Colonel  Plunkett.  But  in  ascendingf  the  west  bank  of  the 
Susquehanna,  on  coming  to  a  narrow  defile,  naturally  defended 
by^a  rocky  buttress,  their  march  was  suddenly  arrested  by  a 
volley  of  musketry.  An  instant  afterward  the  invaders  dis- 
cerned that  the  rocky  parapets  were  covered  with  men  bristling 
in  arms — prepared  for  a  Tyrolese  defence  of  tumbling  rocks 
down  upon  the  foe,  should  their  fire-arms  prove  insufficient  to 
repel  him.  Taken  thus  suddenly  and  effectively  by  surprise, 
Plunkett  retreated  with  his  forces  behind  a  point  of  rocks,  for 
consultation.  He  next  attempted  to  cross  the  river,  and  resume 
his  march  on  the  other  side.  But  here,  too,  the  people  of 
Wyoming  had  been  too  quick  for  him.  The  invaders  were 
so  hotly  received  by  a  detachment  in  ambuscade  on  the  other 
side,  that  they  were  constrained  to  retreat,  nor  did  they  attempt 
to  rally  again. 

Tlius  terminated  the  last  military  demonstration  of  the  Pro- 
vincial government  of  Pennsylvansa  against  the  valley  of  Wy- 
oming. Never,  however,  had  a  civil  war  raged  with  more 
cordial  hatred  between  the  parties — not  even  during  the  bloody 
conflicts  between  the  Guelphs  and  the  Ghibellines — than  was 
felt  between  the  adherents  of  the  respective  land  companies,  in 
the  collisions  just  passed  under  review.  Most  unfortunate  was 
it,  therefore,  that  the  quarrel  broke  out  afresh  at  the  precise 
moment  when  the  services  of  all  were  alike  wanted  for  the  com- 
mon defence — especially  on  a  border  exposed  to  the  daily  irrup- 
tions of  the  Indians. 

Nor  was  this  the  only  evil.  There  beiiig  a  wide  difference 
of  opinion  between  the  people  in  almost  every  section  of  the 
country,  on  the  great  question  at  issue  betw^n  the  parent 
country  and  the  Colonies,  it  was  natural  to  anticipate  that  such 
of  these  contending  parlies  as  adhered  to  the  Royalist  cause, 
would  cherish  a  twofold  enmity  toward  those  republicjkns  who 
had  been  previously  in  arms  against  them.  These  feelings  of 
hostility  were  of  course  mutual ;  and  as  many  of  the  adherents 
of  the  Delaware  Company,  and  perhaps  some  from  both  fac- 
tions, early  escaped  to  the  enemy,  and  enrolled  themselves  un- 
der the  banners  of  Sir  John  Johnson  and  Colonel  John  Butler, 
there  can  bo  no  difficulty  in  accounting  for  the  peculiar  ferocity 


330 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1778. 


li      i 


which  marked  the  conduct  of  such  of  the  refugees  as  returned 
in  arms  against  their  former  belUgerent  neighbors.* 

The  population  of  the  Wyoming  settlements,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  war,  numbered  five  thousand  souls.  Three 
companies  of  regular  troops  were  enlisted  among  them  for  the 
service  of  the  United  States.  Their  militia,  regularly  enrolled, 
amounted  to  eleven  hundred  men  capable  of  bearing  arms,  and 
of  this  force  three  hundred  entered  the  army  ;t  so  prolific  was 
their  soil,  and  so  industrious  were  the  people,  that  they  were 
enabled  to  furnish  large  supplies  of  provisions  for  the  army. 
Three  thousand  bushels  of  grain  were  sent  thence  to  the  army 
ill  the  Spring  of  the  present  year.  The  same  plan  of  watchful- 
ness against  the  scouts  and  scalping  parties  of  the  enemy  was 
adopted  as  in  other  frontier  settlements,  and  the  utmost  vigir 
lance  was  observed  ;  while  regular  garrison  duty  was,  in  sucn 
cessive  turns,  performed  by  the  citizen  soldiers  in  the  several 
fortifications  which  defended  their  valley. 

Some  faint  demonstrations  were  made  by  straggling  parties 
of  Tories  and  Indians,  who  prowled  about  the  settlements 
during  the  Summer  of  the  preceding  year,  while  St.  Leger  was 
besieging  Fort  Schuyler ;  but  after  a  few  skirmishes  with  the 
inhabitants  they  dispersed,  and  the  latter  remained  undis- 
turbed during  the  rest  of  the  year.  Still,  an  impression  that 
some  of  the  Tories,  who  had  been  in  arms  against  them,  or 
who  had  been  instrumental  in  bringing  the  Indians  upon  them^ 
were  yet  lurking  in  the  vicinity,  and  bent  upon  mischief,  left 
the  people  not  altogether  at  ease  ;  and  in  the  month  of  January, 
XT78,  twenty-seven  suspected  inhabitants  were  arrested.  Nine 
of  these  were  discharged  on  examination,  for  want  of  suflicient 
evidence  to  warrant  their  detention  ;  while  the  remaining  eigh- 
teen were  sent  to  Hartford,  in  Connecticut,  and  imprisoned, 
The  nine  who  were  first  discharged,  immediately  fled  to  the 
enemy,  and  were  followed  thither  by  such  of  their  suspected 
associates  as  were  subsequently  set  at  liberty  in  Connecticut. 


i 


9 


\ 


•  ThiB  iketuh  of  the  preliminary  history  of  Wyoming,  rapid  as  it  is,  has  never<< 
theleis  occasioned  a  longer  digression  than  was  intended  ;  but  it  has  seemed  neces> 
aary  to  the  deduction  of  somothing  lilie  a  jnst  hypothesis,  by  wiiich  to  judge  of  the 
peculiar  features  of  the  battle  of  Wyoming  and  thn  mass^acre  that  followed. 

i  See  Chapman's  History  of  Wyoming— also  Mon^orial  to  thoConnooUcut  Le- 
gislature, , ,     '    .       ■  t    . 


1778.] 


HISTORY   OP   WYOMING. 


331 


It  was  but  natural  that  these  proceedings  still  more  embittered 
the  feelings  of  these  lioyalists  against  the  Whigs,  and  the 
effect  was  soon  perceptible  in  the  behavior  of  the  Tories  and 
Indians  occasionally  patroling  their  borders. 

For  a  time,  however,  the  apprehensions  thus  excited  were 
allayed  by  several  pacific  messages  from  the  Indian  nations 
deeper  in  the  interior,  who  sent  parties  of  runners  with  assu- 
rances of  a  desire  for  peace.  But  these  assurances  were 
deceptive.  Instead  of  being  messengers  of  peace,  it  was 
ascertained  in  March,  from  one  of  them  while  in  a  state  of 
intoxication,  that  their  business  was  to  amuse  the  people  and 
allay  their  fears  while  preparations  were  making  to  attack 
them.  This  Indian,  with  his  associate  warriors,  was  imme- 
diately arrested  and  placed  in  confinement,  while  the  women  of 
the  party  were  sent  back  with  a  flag.  The  alarm  was  likewise 
given  to  the  scattered  and  remote  settlers,  some  of  them  living 
thirty  miles  up  the  river,  who  thereupon  immediately  sought 
for  greater  security  in  the  more  populous  towns.  During  the 
months  of  April  and  May,  the  settlements  began  to  be  more 
considerably  annoyed  by  larger  parties  of  Tories  and  Indians, 
who  hung  upon  their  borders,  and  made  frequent  incursions 
among  them  for  purposes  of  plunder — robbing  the  people,  as 
opportunity  afforded,  of  live  stock,  grain,  and  other  articles  of 
provisions.  Waxing  yet  more  audacious  in  June,  several  mur- 
ders were  committed.  Six  of  tliese  victims  were  a  mother  andl 
her  five  children,  who  were  doubtless  killed  luider  a  misappre- 
hension as  to  her  character,  since  the  woman  was  the  wife  of 
one  of  the  Tories  who  had  been  arrested  in  January.  The 
houses  and  plantations  of  the  slain  were  of  course  plundered  of 
every  thing  of  value  which  the  marauders  could  carry  away.* 

Toward  the  close  of  June,  the  British  officers  in  command 
at  Niagara  determined  to  strike  a  blow  upon  these  settlements ; 
for  which  purpose  about  three  hundred  white  men,  consisting 
in  part  of  regular  troops,  but  principally  of  refugee  Loyalists, 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  John  Butler,  together  with 
about  five  hundred  Indians,  marched  in  that  direction.  Arriv- 
ing at  Tioga  Point,  Butler  and  the  Indian  leaders  t  procured 

♦  Almon's  Remembrancer,  1778 — Second  Purt. 

t  It  ii  ditficuU  to  ascertain  with  certainty  from  what  tribes  or  nations  these  In- 
dians wuro  drawn.    It  will  be  seen  by  a  note  a  few  pages  onward,  that  there  is  reo- 


4 


.  ,1' 


332 


LIPB    OP   BRANT. 


[1778. 


1 

i 

1] 

1 

r  ■    ' 

1 

floats  and  rafts,  upon  which  they  embarked  their  forces,  and, 
descending  the  Susquehanna,  landed  at  a  place  called  the 
Three  Islands,  whence  they  marched  about  twenty  miles,  and 
crossing  a  wilderness,  entered  the  valley  of  Wyoming  through 
a  gap  of  the  mountain  near  its  northern  extremity.*  They 
took  possession  of  two  small  forts,  without  opposition,  on  the  2d 
of  July — the  first  of  which  was  called  the  Exeter  fort.  It  was 
said  the  garrison  consisted  chiefly  of  Tories,  who  treacherously 
surrendered  it  to  the  enemy.  The  other  was  the  fort  of  Lack- 
awana,  where  the  enemy  encountered  some  resistance.  But  it 
was  soon  carried,  a  magistrate  named  Jenkins  being  killed,  to- 
gether with  his  family,  and  several  others,  mostly  women  and 
children,  made  prisoners.  One  of  these  forts  was  burnt.t  In 
the  other,  the  proper  name  of  which  was  Fort  Wintermoot, 
Colonel  John  Butler  established  his  head-quarters. 

The  inhabitants,  on  receiving  intelligence  of  the  approach  of 
the  invaders,  assembled  within  a  fortification  four  miles  below, 
called  Fort  Forty,  from  the  circumstance  of  its  having  been 
occupied  by  forty  men,  at  some  period  of  the  antecedent 
troubles  of  the  Colony.  Colonel  Zebulon  Butler,  whose  name 
has  occiirred  several  times  in  the  preceding  summary  of  the 
history  of  Wyoming,  was  in  command  of  about  sixty  regular 
troops,  and  he  now  made  every  exertion  to  muster  the  militia 
of  the  settlements.  But  in  his  official  despatch  he  complained, 
that  as  the  women  and  children  had  fled  to  the  sc/eral  forts,  of 
which  there  were  seven  within  the  distance  of  ten  miles  alono* 
the  valley,  the  men,  too  many  of  them,  would  remain  behinu 
to  take  care  of  them.  Still,  he  succeeded  in  collecting  about 
three  hundred  of  the  militia,  and  commenced  his  march  to 
meet  the  enemy  on  the  1st  of  July,  in  connexion  with  the 
regular  troops  before  mentioned,  commanded  by  Captain  Hew- 
ett.  On  their  first  advance,  they  fell  in  with  a  scout  of  In 
dians,  of  whom  they  killed  two.  These  savages  had  just  mur- 
dered nine  men  engaged  at  work  in  a  corn-field. t  Not  being 
supplied  with  provisions,  Colonel  Zebulon  Butler  §  was  obliged 

son  to  suppose  they  were  from  Detroit,  and  were  led  by  an  officer  of  the  British  aer.. 

vice.    Certainly  they  had  no  chiefs  of  any  considerable  note  among  them. 
•  Marahall's  Life  of  Washington.  t  The  Remembrancer^ 

1  Colonel  Z.  Butler's  letter.  • 

§  It  is  necessary  to  repeat  the  Christian  names  of  both  the  Butlers,  to  avoid  confli 

sion — that  being  the  surname  of  both  the  opposing  commanders. 


1778.] 


INVASION   OP   WYOMING. 


333 


liged 


' 


contU 


to  fall  back  upon  Fort  Forty,  while  his  militia  procured  sup- 
plies. They  mustered  again  on  ilie  3d.  and  a  council  of  war 
was  convened.  Messengers  having  been  despatched  to  the 
head-quarters  of  General  Washington  for  assistance,  immediate- 
ly after  the  enemy's  movements  were  known  at  Wyoming, 
Colonel  Z.  Butler  was  desirous  of  waiting  for  reinforcements. 
But  his  officers  and  men  were  impatient  for  a  trial  of  strength.* 
The  messengers  Imd  already  been  gone  so  long,  that  it  was 
supposed  they  had  been  cut  olf,  and  consequently  that  General 
Washington  was  ignorant  of  their  situation.  In  that  case  no 
reinforcements  could  reach  them  in  season  to  save  their  valley 
from  being  ravaged  ;  and  as  the  enemy's  forces  were  daily  in- 
creasing, it  was  held  to  be  the  part  of  wisdom  to  attack  him  at 
once. 

While  the  question  was  under  debate,  five  officers  arrived 
from  the  Continental  army,  who,  on  hearing  the  tidings  of  the 
meditated  invasion,  had  thrown  up  their  commissions  and 
hastened  home  to  protect  their  families.  They  had  heard  no- 
thing of  the  messengers,  and  intimated  that  there  was  no  pros- 
pect of  speedy  assistance.t  The  discussions  were  animated  ; 
but  the  apprehension,  that  in  the  event  of  longer  delay  the  ene- 
my would  become  too  powerful  for  them,  and  thus  be  enabled 
to  sweep  through  their  valley  and  destroy  their  harvest,  was 
so  strong,  and  the  militia  were  so  sanguine  of  being  able  to 
meet  and  vanquish  the  enemy,  that  Colonel  Butler  yielded,  and 
set  forward  at  the  head  of  nearly  tour  hundred  men.  Colonel 
Denniston,  his  former  associate  in  the  conamission  of  the  peace, 
being  his  second  in  command. 

It  was  intended  to  make  a  quick  movement,  and  take  the 
enemy  by  surprise.  Having  approached  within  two  miles  of 
Fort  WintermootjJ:  a  small  reconnoitring  party  was  sent  forward 

♦  Marshall.  f  Cliapman. 

J  The  fort  was  thus  called  after  the  proprietor  of  the  land  whereon  it  was 
built,  and  the  adjacent  territory — a  distinguished  Tory  named  W^intermoot.  He 
was  active  in  bringing  dostruction  upon  the  valley,  and,  after  doing  all  the  mischief 
he  could  to  the  settlement,  removed  to  Canada.  During  the  war  with  England  in 
1812-15 — while  the  British  were  investing  Fort  Erie,  a  son  of  old  Mr.  Wintcrmoot, 
a  lieutenant  in  the  enemy's  service,  was  killed  by  a  volunteer  from  the  neighborhood 
of  Wyoming.  Young  Wintcrmoot  was  reconnoitring  one  of  the  American  pickets, 
when  he  was  shot  down  by  the  said  vohmicer,  who  was  engaged  in  the  same  ser- 
vice against  a  picket  of  the  enemy.  The  volunteer  returned  into  the  fort,  bringing 
in  the  arms  and  commission  of  the  otlicur  he  hud  slain  as  u  trophy. 


if 


m 


334 


LIFE    6P   BUANf 


[1778. 


for  observation.  They  ascertained  that  the  enemy  were  ca- 
rousing in  their  huts  in  perfect  security ;  but  on  their  return 
they  were  so  unfortunate  as  to  fall  in  with  an  Indian  scout, 
who  immediately  fired  and  gave  the  alarm.*  The  Provincials 
pushed  rapidly  forward ;  but  the  British  and  Indians  were  pre* 
pared  to  receive  them — "  their  line  being  formed  a  small  dis- 
"  tunce  in  front  of  their  camp,  in  a  plain  thinly  covered  with 
"  pine,  shrnl)-oaks,  and  undergrowth,  and  extending  from  the 
"  river  to  a  marsh,  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain."t  On  coming  in 
view  of  the  enemy,  the  Americans,  who  had  previously  marched 
in  a  single  column,  instantly  displayed  into  a  line  of  equal  ex- 
lent,  and  attacked  from  right  to  left  at  the  same  time.{  The 
right  of  the  Americans  was  commanded  by  Colonel  Zebulon 
Butler,  opposed  to  Colonel  John  Butler  commanding  the  ene- 
my's left.  Colonel  Dennison  commanded  the  left  of  the  Ameri- 
cap'  and  was  opposed  by  Indians  forming  the  enemy's  right.§ 
The  battle  commenced  at  about  forty  rods  distance,  without 
much  execution  at  the  onset,  as  the  brush-wood  interposed  ob- 
stacles to  the  sight.  The  militia  stood  the  fire  well  for  a  short 
time,  and  as  they  pressed  forward,  there  was  some  giving  way 
on  the  enemy's  right.  Unluckily,  just  at  this  moment  the  ap- 
palling war-whoop  of  the  Indians  rang  in  the  rear  of  the  Anje- 
rican  left — the  Indian  leader  having  conducted  a  large  party 
of  his  warriors  throjigh  the  marsh,  and  succeeded  in  turning 
Dennison's  Hank.  A  heavy  and  destructive  fire  was  simulta- 
neously poured  into  the  American  ranks  ;  and  amidst  the  con- 
fusion. Colonel  Dennison  directed  his  men  to  "fall  back,''^  to 
avoid  being  surroimded,  and  to  gain  time  to  bring  his  men  into 
order  again.  This  direction  was  mistaken  for  an  order  to 
"  retreat,"  whereupon  the  whole  line  broke,  and  every  effort  of 
their  officers  to  restore  order  was  unavailing.  At  this  stage  of 
the  battle,  and  while  thus  engaged,  the  American  officers  mostly 
fell.  The  flight  was  general.  The  Indians,  throwing  awoy 
their  rifles,  rushed  forward  with  their  tomahawks,  making 
dreadful  huvock  —answering  thccries  for  mercy  with  the  hatchet 
— and  adding  to  the  universal  consternation  those  terrific 
yells  which  invest  savage  warfare  with  tenfold  horror.  So 
alert  was  the  foe  in  this  bloody  pursuit,  that  less  than  sixty  of 


CImpnian. 


t  Maraliall.  I  Col.  '/.  Butler's  loUor.         (|  Chapman. 


1778. 


BATTLE   OP   WYOMING. 


335 


the  Americans  escaped  either  the  rifle  or  the  tomahawk.  Of 
the  militia  ofllcers,  there  fell  one  lieutenant-colonel,  one  major, 
and  ten  captains,  six  lieutenants,  and  two  ensigns.  (>olonel 
Durkee,  and  Captains  Hewett  and  Ransom  were  likewise  killed. 
Some  of  the  fugitives  escaped  by  swimming  the  river,  and 
others  by  flying  to  the  mountains.  As  the  news  of  the  defeat 
spread  down  the  valley,  the  greater  part  of  the  women  and 
children,  and  those  who  had  remained  behind  to  protect  them, 
likewise  ran  to  the  woods  and  the  mountains  ;  while  those  who 
could  not  escape  thus,  sought  refuge  in  Fort  Wyoming.  The 
Indians, apparently  wearied  with  pursuit  and  slaughter,  desisted, 
and  betook  themselves  to  secure  the  spoils  of  the  vanquished. 

On  the  morning  of  the  4th,  the  day  after  the  battle.  Colonel 
Jolni  Butler,  with  the  combined  British  and  Indian  forces, 
appeared  before  Fort  Wyoming,  and  demanded  its  surrender. 
The  inhabitants,  both  within  and  without  the  fort,  did  not,  on 
that  emergency,  sustain  a  character  for  courage  becoming  men 
of  spirit  in  adversity.     They  were  so  intimidated  as  to  give  up 
without  fighting;  great  numbers  ran  off;  an4  those  who  re- 
mained, all  but  betrayed  Colonel   Zebulon  Butler,  their  com- 
mander.*    The  British  Colonel  Butler  sent  several  flags,  requir- 
ing an  unconditional  surrender  of  his  opposing  namesake  and 
the  few  Continental  troops  yet  remaining,  but  oflfcring  to  spare 
the  inhabitants  their  property  and  cflects.     But  with  the  Ame- 
rican Colonel  the  victor  would  not  treat  on  any  terms  ;  and 
the  people  thereupon  compelled  Colonel  Dennison  to  comply 
with  conditions  which  his  comnumder  had   refused. t     The 
consequence  was,  that  Colonel  Zebulon  Butler  contrived  to 
escape  from  the  fort  with  the  remains  of  Captain  Ilewett's  com- 
pany of  regularsjt  and  Colonel  Dennison  entered  into  articles 
of  capitulation.     By  these  it  was  stipulated  that  the  settlers 
should  be  disarmed  and  their  garrison  demolished  ;  that  all  the 
prisoners  and  public  stores  should  be  given  up  ;  that  the  property 
of  "the  people  called  Tories"  should  be  nuido  good,  and  they 
be  permitted  to  remain  peaceably  upon  their  farms.     In  behalf 
of  the  settlers  it  was  stipulated  that  their  lives  and  property 
should  be  preserved,  and  that  they  should  bo  left  in  the  unmo 
lesled  occupaiu'y  of  thoir  farms. § 


■?,l 


man. 


•  Colonel  Z.  Butlor'a  lotlor.       j  Idem.       |  Idem.      $  Cliapinan't  Iliitory. 

47 


\  ' 


336 


LIFE    OP   BRANT, 


[1778. 


if    I 


Unhappily,  however,  the  British  commander  either  could 
not  or  would  not  enforce  the  terms  of  the  capitulation,  which 
were  to  a  great  extent  disregarded  as  well  by  the  Tories  as 
Indians.  Instead  of  finding  protection,  the  valley  was  again 
laid  waste — the  houses  and  improvement'^  were  destroyed  by 
fire,  and  the  coinitry  plundered.  Families  were  broken  up  and 
dispersed,  men  and  their  wives  separated,  mothers  torn  from 
their  children,  and  some  of  them  carried  into  captivity,  while 
far  the  greater  number  fled  to  the  mountains,  and  wandered 
throuffh  the  wilderness  to  the  older  settlements.  Some  died  of 
their  wounds,  others  from  want  and  fatigue,  while  others  still 
were  lost  in  the  wilderness,  or  were  heard  of  no  more.  Several 
perished  in  a  great  swamp  in  the  neighborhood,  which  from 
that  circumstance  acquired  the  name  of  "  The  iShades  of 
Death,"  and  retains  it  to  this  day.* 

These  were  pamful  scenes.  But  it  does  not  appear  that  any 
thing  like  a  massacre  followed  the  capitulation.!  Nor,  in  the 
events  of  the  preceding  day,  is  there  good  evidence  of  the  per- 
petration of  any  specific  acts  of  cruelty,  other  than  such  as  are 
usual  in  the  general  rout  of  a  battle-field— save  only  the  un- 
exampled atrocities  of  the  Tories,  thirsting,  probably,  for  revenge 
in  regard  to  other  questions  than  that  of  allegiance  to  the  King.t 

There  seems,  from  the  first,  to  have  been  an  unccmiiuonly 
large  proportion  of  ioyahsts  in  the  Wyoming  settlements,  whose 
notions  of  higal  restraint,  from  the  previous  collisions  of  the 
inhabitants,  wi'ro  of  course  liititudinarian  ;  nor  were  their  ante- 
cedent asperities  softened  by  the  attemjits  of  the  AVIiigs  to  keep 
them  within  proper  control,  after  hostilities  had  commenced. 
The  greater  inimber  of  these,  as  we  have  already  seen,  together 
with  those  who  were  arrested,  had  joined  themselves  to  the 
enemy.     But  these  were  not  all  the  defections.     After  tlic  ar- 

♦  Clmpiiinn*ii  Miotory. 

f  It  will  Im)  mwii,  II  fiiw  |)«J4<'»  forwnrd,  by  ali'tfcr  from  Wiiitrr  niitlfir,  writing  oil 
behairofhifl  fiitlier,  VaA.  John  Hiitlir,  tiint  h  Roluinn  iloniul  in  iiindu  of  any  iniisNncre 
whntcvor,  savn  tlio  killiiij;  or  men  in  nrniM  in  tlio  open  field.  Thin  lottcr,  in  vindiuiw 
tiori  of  the  nifngt'i!  Hiitlcni,  would  linve  boon  intiodnicd  hero,  but  for  itx  connexion 
with  thtinflTiiiroCCIu'rry  Viillcy. 

I  Indnetl,  for  cdld-blooded  rriulty,  « liich  mny  bn  falbd  murder  outriglit,  lliorn  wtm 
notbinjot  Wyomins,  with  tho  niimle  exeopfion  of  Ihn  fratricidn  noon  to  bo  rrlntud.iit 
nil  comparnblo  to  tho  mnKHnrro  of  tho  Moxicons  nt  Snn  Jucinto  by  tlio  soUdiiittnt 
Tu»n  liurova  under  Houston. 


1778.] 


BARBARITIES    AT    WYOMINO. 


337 


[ntinj!  on 

ItiiiBitacre 

viiidiciif 

|)nn(<xioii 

lliorn  Willi 
rlntciil,i»t 


V 


rival  of  the  enemy  upon  the  confines  of  the  settlement,  and  be 
fore  the  battle,  a  considerable  number  of  the  inhabitants  joined 
his  ranks,  and  exhibited  instances  of  the  most  savage  barbarity 
against  their  former  neighbors  and  friends.*  Nor  has  it  ever 
been  denied,  in  regard  to  the  battle  of  Wyoming,  that  none 
were  more  ferocious  and  cruel — more  destitute  of  the  unstrained 
quality  of  mercy,  than  those  same  loyalists  or  Tories.  An  ex- 
ample of  the  spirit  by  which  they  were  actuated  is  found  in 
the  following  occurrence,  which,  on  account  of  its  Cain-like 
barbarity,  is  worthy  of  repetition.  Not  far  from  the  battle- 
ground was  an  island  in  the  Susquehanna,  called  Monockonock, 
to  which  several  of  the  fugitive  militia-men  fled  for  security — 
throwing  away  their  arms,  and  swimming  the  river.  Here 
they  concealed  themselves  as  they  could  among  the  brush-wood. 
Their  place  of  retreat  being  discovered,  several  Tories  followed 
them;  and,  though  obliged  to  swim,  yet  so  intent  were  they 
upon  the  work  of  (leath,  that  they  succeeded  in  taking  their 
guns  with  them,  ^irriving  upon  the  island,  they  deliberately 
wiped  their  gun-locks,  recharged  their  pieces,  and  commenced 
searching  for  the  fugitives.  Two  of  these  were  concealed  in 
sight  of  each  other,  but  one  of  them  escaped.  But  it  was  never- 
theless his  lot  to  behold  a  scene  painful  enough  to  make  the 
most  hardened  ofTunder  weep,  and  "  blush  to  own  himself  a 
man."  One  of  the  pursuers  came  upon  his  companion  in  par- 
tial concealment,  who  proved  to  be  his  own  brother.  His  salu- 
tation was — "  So,  it  is  you,  is  it  ?"  The  unarmed  and  defence- 
less man,  thus  observed,  came  forward,  and  fell  upon  his  knees 
before  his  brother,  begging  for  mercy — promising  to  live  with 
liim,  and  serve  him  for  ever,  if  ho  would  but  spare  his  life. 
"  All  this  is  migl.ty  fine,"  replied  the  unrelenting  traitor,  "  but 

you   are   n   d d  rebel!" — saying  which,   ho  deliberately 

levelled  his  rifle,  and  shot  him  dead  ui)on  the  spot.t  In  a  do- 
mestic war  marked  by  such  atrocity,  even  among  those  claim- 
ing to  be  civilized,  it  becomes  us  to  pause  before  we  brand  the 
untutored  savage,  who  fights  acording  to  the  usages  of  his  own 
people,  with  all  that  is  revolting  and  cruel.t 

*  Cimpnmn. 

t  CImpiiiuii'a  Hint,  of  Wyoming. 

I  Doctor  Tlmtclior,  in  \\\b  Military  Journal,  n  corda  itill  groator  barbarities  a* 
hoviiig  buoii  purpctratud  on  this  bloody  occasion.    I  lu  soys — "  Ono  of  llio  prisonersi  t 


\ 


^  ■'^,. 


338 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1778. 


ii  I 


There  is  still  another  important  correction  to  be  made,  in 
reference  to  every  written  history  of  this  battle  extant,  not  even 
excepting  the  last  revised  edition  of  the  Life  of  Washin!2;ton  by 
Chief  Justice  Marshall.  This  correction  regards  the  name, 
and  the  just  fame,  of  Joseph  Brant,  whose  character  has  been 
blackened  with  all  the  infamy,  both  real  and  imaginary,  con- 
nected with  this  bloody  expedition.  Whether  Captain  Brant 
was  at  any  time  in  company  with  this  expedition,  is  doubtful ; 
but  it  is  certain,  in  the  face  of  every  historical  authority,  Bri- 
tish and  American,  that  so  far  from  being  engaged  in  the  bat- 
tle, he  was  many  miles  distant  at  the  time  of  its  occurrence. 
Such  has  been  the  uniform  testimony  of  the  British  officers  en- 
gaged in  that  expedition,  and  such  was  always  the  word  of 
Thayendanegea  himself.  It  will,  moreover,  be  seen,  toward  the 
close  of  the  present  work,  that  after  the  publication  of  Camp- 
bell's "  Gertrude  of  Wyoming,"  in  which  poem  the  Mohawk 
chieftain  was  denounced  as  "  the  Monster  Brant,"  his  son  re- 
paired to  England,  and  in  a  correspondence  with  the  poet,  suc- 
cessfully vindicated  his  father's  memory  from  the  calumny.* 

"Captain  Dudlock,  was  committed  to  torture,  by  having  his  body  ntuck  full  ofsplin. 
"ters  of  pine  knots,  ond  u  fire  of  dry  wood  mude  around  him,  when  his  two  eom- 
"  panions,  Cuptuins  Hansom  and  Durkce,  where  tiirown  into  the  snme  fire,  and 
"held  down  with  pitchforks  till  consumed.  One  Partial  Terry,  the  son  of  a  man 
"of  rcspectablo  character,  having  joined  the  Indian  party,  several  times  srnt  his  fa- 
"  thef  word  tliat  he  hoped  to  wash  his  hands  in  his  /ifuct'.?  blovd.  The  monster  with 
'*  his  own  hands  murdered  his  father,  mother,  brothers,  and  sisters,  stripped  off  their 
•'  scalps,  and  cut  qff"  his  falher^s  heiid !!  Thomas  Terry  with  his  own  hands  Imlchered 
"  his  own  mother,  his  father-in-laxo,  his  sisters  and  their  infmit  children,  and  extermi' 
"  nated  the  whole  fltmily !! "  Upon  which  the  worthy  Doctor  remarks — "  It  is  only  in 
"  the  infernal  regions  that  wo  can  look  for  a  parallel  instance  of  unnatural  wicked- 
ness." It  is  doubtful  whether  so  great  an  atrocity  was  ever  coniniitted  even  there.  Cer- 
tainly no  such  were  perpetrato<l  at  Wyoming.  Dr.  Thatcher  olso  states,  that  when 
Col.  Z.  Butler  sent  a  Hag  to  propose  terms  of  copitulalion,  the  reply  of  Pol.  John  Hutler 
was  in  two  wordn — "The  Hatchet.^'  lie  also  romnrUs,  in  regard  to  the  moral  and 
social  condition  of  Wyoming,  that  but  for  the  dissensions  prnduccid  by  the  war  of 
the  Revolution,  "  the  inhabitants  of  liiis  secluded  spot  might  have  live«l  in  tho  en- 
"joyment  of  all  tho  happiness  which  resultH  from  harmonv  and  the  purest  natural 
"afleclion."  Witness  the  ten  yeors  of  civil  wars  sketched  in  tho  preceding  pages. 
It  was  also  reported  that  a  man  named  Thomas  Hill  with  his  own  hands  killed  hi* 
own  mother,  liis  fathor-in-lnw,  his  sisters  and  their  families !  And  such  is  history ! 
Those  monstrous  exaggerations  were  the  reports  of  the  Imltio  first  puhiished  ht 
Poughkeepsie  on  the  'iOth  of  July,  as  derived  from  tho  lips  of  the  terrified  fugitives 
who  were  wending  their  way  back  to  (/onnecticut. 

*  Since  tho  present  chapter  was  written,  and  while  the  work  was  under  revision, 
the  author  has  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Samuel  C.  Froy,  of  Upper  Canada,  a  ion 


/ 


\ 


1778.] 


CATHARINE   MONTOUR. 


339 


It  is  related  in  the  unwritten  history  of  this  battle,  that  the 
celebrated  Catharine  Mon^our  was  present,  with  her  two  sons  ; 
and  that  she  ranged  the  field  of  blood  like  a  chafed  tigress, 
stimulating  the  warriors  of  her  adopted  race  to  the  onslaught, 
even  in  the  hottest  of  the  fight.  But  from  the  antecedent  cha- 
racter of  that  remarkable  woman,  the  story  can  hardly  be  cre- 


I  fugitives 

rovinion, 
iJa,  a  »<m 


of  the  late  Philip  R.  Frey,  Esq.  a  loyalist  of  Tryon  County,  who  was  an  ensign  in 
H.  U.  M'a  Eighth  Regiment,  and  who,  with  his  regiment,  was  engaged  in  the  cam- 
paign and  battle  of  Wyoming.  Philip  R.  Frey,  the  ensign  spoken  of,  died  at  Pala- 
tine, Montgomery  (formerly  Tryon)  County,  in  1823.  It  was  his  uniform  testimony 
that  Brant  was  not  at  Wyoming.  Mr.  Frey  writes  to  the  author,  that  there  were 
no  chiefs  of  notiiriety  with  the  Indians  on  that  expedition,  and  that  the  Indians  them- 
selves were  Ird  from  Detroit,  by  Captain  Bird  of  the  Eiu;hth  Regiment.  Bird  had 
been  engaged  in  a  love  ufiiiir  at  Detroit,  but,  being  very  ugly,  besides  having  a  hare- 
lip, was  unsuccessful.  >  The  affair  getting  wind,  his  ffllow-officors  made  Ihemseives 
merry  at  his  expense,  and  in  order  to  steep  his  griefs  in  forgetfulnrsp,  he  obtained 
permission  to  lead  an  expedition  somewhere  against  the  American  frontier.  Join- 
ing the  Indians  placed  under  him,  and  a  detachment  of  bis  regiment,  to  Butler's 
rangers,  they  concerted  the  descent  upon  Wyoming.  Ensign  Frey  stated  ttmt  he 
was  ill-natured  during  the  whole  march,  and  acted  with  fool-hardiness  at  the  battle. 
Ho  farther  stated,  according  to  the  letter  of  his  son,  that  the  American  Colonel  chal- 
lenged them  to  a  fair  field-fight,  which  chalknge  was  accepted.  "  The  next  niorn- 
"  mg,  at  about  9  o'clock,  the  Americans  poured  out  of  the  fort  about  three  hundred  and 
"  forty  in  number — the  Indians  fell  back  over  a  hill — the  troops  on  both  sides  drew  up 
"  in  battle  array  and  soon  conmienced ;  after  a  few  roiuids  fired,  the  American  Colo- 
"nel  ordered  his  drum-major  to  beat  a  eiiarge,  the  druin-mnjor  mistook  the  order  and 
"beat  a  retrent,  the  Americans  became  disordered  immrdiatrly,  and  ran  heller-skelter; 
"  the  moment  the  Indiana  saw  them  running,  they  ponrcd  down  upon  tliein  from  their 
"  hiding  places,  so  that  no  more  thii"  ';.iut  forty  survived  out  of  three  hundred  ond 
"  forty,"  Rarely,  indeed,  does  it  hoppen  that  history  is  more  ot  fault  in  regard  to  facta 
than  in  the  case  of  Wyoming.  The  remark  may  be  applied  to  nearly  every  writer 
who  has  attempted  to  narrate  the  events  connected  with  the  invasion  of  Colonel 
John  Butler.  Ran  -ay,  and  Gordon,  and  Marshall — nay,  the  British  historians  them- 
Bolvea — have  written  gross  exaggerations.  Marshall,  however,  in  his  revised  edition, 
has  made  corrections,  and  exploined  how  and  by  whom  ho  was  led  into  error.  My 
excellent  friend,  Charles  Miner,  Kp<i.  long  a  resident  of  Wyoming,  a  gentleman  of 
letters  and  great  aecurney,  furnished  thebiogrophrr  of  Washinnton  with  a  true  nar- 
rative of  the  transactions,  which  ho  made  the  basis  of  tho  siunmary  account  con- 
tained in  his  revised  edition.  Other  writers,  of  greater  or  less  note,  have  gravely  re- 
corded tho  same  fictions,  adding,  it  is  to  be  feared,  en«)rmitiea  not  oven  conveyed  to 
them  by  tradition.  The  grossest  of  these  exoggerations  are  conlamed  in  Thatcher's 
Military  Journal  and  Droke's  Book  of  tho  Indians.  The  acroimt  of  tho  marching 
out  of  a  largo  boily  of  Americans  from  one  of  the  forts,  to  hold  a  parley,  by  ogree- 
mont,  and  then  being  drawn  into  nn  ambuscade  and  all  put  to  death,  is  false ;  tho 
account  of  seventy  Continentol  soldiers  being  butchered,  after  having  surrendered, 
if  also  totally  untrue.  No  regular  troops  surrendered,  ond  all  escaped  who  survived 
the  battle  .if  the  3 1.  Fqually  untrue  was  the  story  of  tho  burning  of  house*,  bu?* 
rocks,  and  forts,  filled  with  women  and  children. 


I 


W   \ 


n 


340 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1778. 


dited.  She  was  a  native  of  Canada,  a  half-breed,  her  father 
havinj?  been  one  of  tlie  early  French  governors — probably 
Count  Frontenac,  as  he  must  have  been  in  the  government  of 
that  country  at  about  the  time  of  her  birth.  During  the  wars 
betvveon  the  Six  Nations  and  the  French  and  Hurons,  Catha- 
rine, when  about  ten  years  of  ag(>,  w.is  made  a  captive,  taken 
into  the  Seneca  country,  adopted  and  reared  as  one  of  their 
own  children.  "When  arrived  ot  a  suitable  age,  she  was  mar- 
ried to  one  of  the  distinguished  cliiefs  of  her  tribe,  who  signal- 
ized himself  in  the  vvars  of  the  Six  Nations  against  the  Cataw- 
bas,  then  a  great  nation  living  south-westward  of  Virginia. 
She  had  several  children  by  this  chieftain,  who  fell  in  battle 
about  the  year  1730,  after  which  she  did  not  again  marry. 
She  is  said  to  have  been  a  handsome  woman  when  young, 
genteel,  and  of  polite  address,  notwithstanding  her  Indian  as- 
sociations. It  was  frequently  her  lot  to  accompany  the  chiefs 
of  the  Six  Nations  to  Philadelphia,  and  other  places  in  Penn- 
sylvania, where  treaties  were  holden  ;  and  from  her  character 
and  manners  she  was  greatly  caressed  f)y  the  American  ladies — 
particularly  in  Philadelphia,  where  she  was  invited  by  the  la- 
dies of  the  best  circles,  and  entertained  at  their  houses.  Her 
residence  was  at  the  head  of  the  Seneca  Lake.* 

Some  of  the  flying  fugitives  from  Wyoming  liad  not  pro- 
ceeded many  miles  from  their  desolate  homes,  before  they  met 
a  detachment  of  Continent.d  troops  on  their  way  to  assist  the 
Colony.  It  was  now  too  late.  But  the  detachment,  neverthe- 
less, remained  at  Stroudsburg  three  or  four  weeks,  by  whicli 
time  Colonel  Zebulon  Butler  had  collected  a  force  consisting 
of  straggling  settlers  and  others,  with  whom,  and  the  regular 
troops  just  mentioned,  he  returned,  and  repossessed  himself  of 
Wyoming — the  enemy  having  retired  shortly  after  the  battle- 
Colonel  John  Butler  to  Niagara,  and  the  Indians  to  their 
homes  ;  while  Thayeudancgea  moved  as  he  had  occasion,  from 


•  Ciitharinnslown— so  naminl  from  licr.  Tliis  accotiiit  of  Ciithiirine  Montour  is 
cliicfly  drawn  from  Withnm  MarshuV  Jonrnol  of  a  treaty  with  tlm  Six  Nations,  iield 
at  Lanca»ter  in  i7Jl— Vido  Mass.  Hist.  Coll.  In  1758  Sir  William  .Tohnson  had 
an  Indian  intorpretur  in  his  service,  known  as  "Captain  Montour."  One  of  Catha- 
rine's sons  was  called  "Captain,"  and  was  probobly  the  samo.  Tradition,  at 
Seneco  Lake,  holds  that  Catharine  Montour  was  killed  by  Sullivan's  men  in  1779. 
But  it  will  huroailor  bo  seen  th'at  luoh  wu  not  the  fuel. 


/ 


/ 


17T8.] 


HISTORY   OP    WYOMING. 


341 


ptoiir  is 
fn,  lield 
liRd 

Ion,  nt 
1779. 


\ 


his  old  haunts  higher  up  the  Susquehanna,  at  Oghkwaga  and 
Unadilln. 

Immediately  on  the  reception  of  the  disastrous  tidings  from 
Wyoming  at  the  Continental  liead-quarters,  Colonel  Hartley's 
regiment  was  ordered  thither,  with  instructions  from  Congress 
to  remain  on  that  frontier  until  the  crops  were  secured  and  the 
enemy  should  have  retreated.  He  was  joined  by  several  mili- 
tia companies,  and,  among  other  odicers,  by  Colonel  Dennison, 
who,  in  the  capitulation  of  Wyoming,  had  stipulated  not  again 
to  serve  against  the  King's  troops.  lie  accompanied  Colonel 
Hartley  in  an  expedition  against  soiiie  of  the  Indian  towns  up  the 
Susquehanna,  in  the  direction  of  Oghkwaga,  several  of  which 
were  destroyed.  A  few  prisoners  were  also  taken.  It  appearing, 
however,  that  the  enemy  were  gathering  in  too  much  force  for 
him  to  remain  long  within  their  territory,  Colonel  Hartley 
was  constrained  to  retreat.  An  attaclc  was  made  upon  his 
rear,  but  the  assailants  were  repulsed.  Colonel  Dennison 
doubtless  felt  himself  warranted  in  breaking  the  stipulations  of 
Fort  Wyoming,  by  the  fact  that  tliose  sti{)ulations  were  not 
strictly  observed  by  the  Tories  and  Indians.  But  the  enemy 
made  no  such  allowance  ;  and  this  expedition,  or  rather  the 
conduct  of  Colonel  Doiuiison,  was  subsequently  used  as  a  pre- 
text for  some  of  the  incidents  connected  with  the  attack  upon 
Cherry  Valley. 

Colonel  Zebulon  Butler  built  another  fort  at  Wyoming, 
which  he  continued  to  occupy  until  the  next  year,  when  the 
command  of  that  region  devolved  ufion  General  Sullivan.  In 
the  mean  time  the  outskirts  of  the  settlements  were  frequently 
harassed  by  straggling  parties  of  Tories  and  Indians,  who  occa- 
sionally committed  an  assassination  or  carried  ofl"  a  few  prison- 
ers. The  Americans,  in  turn,  despatched  every  Indian  who  fell 
in  their  way.  In  March  following,  tlie  fort  was  surrounded  l>y 
a  force  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  Indians,  and  Tories  disguised 
as  such.  They  attacked  tlie  liirtrc^ss,  but  fled  on  the  discharge 
of  a  single  piece  of  artillery —burning  wliat(!ver  buildings  had 
cither  been  re-ereet(Kl  or  led  staniling  at  the  former  invasion. 
The  garrison  was  loo  weak  to  allow  of  a  pursuit.  A  few  weeks 
afterward,  as  a  company  of  Conlinental  troops  were  approach- 
ing the  fort,  under  the  command  of  Major  Powell,  they  were 
lired  upon  by  a  party  of  Indiana  in  ambush,  while  passing 


/ 


l^  'l*1 


51  J 


I  ■ 


'(H 


342 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1778. 


along  a  single  track  through  a  difficult  swamp.  In  this  attack, 
Captain  Davis,  Lieutenant  Jones,  and  four  privates,  were  killed. 
The  detachment  formed  for  action  with  all  possible  despatch  ; 
but  the  Indians  fled  after  two  or  three  discharges.  Nor  did 
they  re-appear  afterward,  in  that  immediate  neighborhood,  in 
any  subsequent  stage  of  the  revolutionary  contest,  although 
other  sections  of  the  Pennsylvania  frdntier,  farther  south  and 
west,  suffered  occasionally  from  their  depredations,  particularly 
in  the  following  year,  while  Sullivan  was  preparing  to  advance 
into  the  Seneca  country.* 

*  Thus  ends  tlie  rovolnlionary  history  of  Wyoming.  But  from  what  has  been 
given  in  the  preceding  pages*,  touching  the  history  of  tiiis  valley  and  its  feuds  before 
the  Revolution,  the  reader  may  possibly  feel  some  desire  to  learn  the  subsequent 
progress  of  the  long-pending  land  quarrel.  After  the  Indians  had  been  chastised, 
the  settlers  returned,  and  the  valley  and  its  precincts  once  more  began  to  flourish. 
Pennsylvania  again  interposed  her  claims  ;  and  a  Commission  was  appointed  by 
Congress,  which  met  in  New  Jersey,  to  hear  the  case  and  decide  the  question.  It 
was  unanimously  decided  in  favor,  of  Pennsylvania.  The  people  held  that  this  de- 
cision was  one  of  jurisdiction  merely,  and  with  this  understanding  cheerfully  ac- 
quiesced  in  it.  But  fresh  troubles  arose.  A  company  of  Continental  troops  was 
stationed  there  in  1783,  to  keep  the  peace,  and  this  only  made  matters  worse — the 
soldiers  became  licentious  and  overbearing,  and  the  people  were  exceedingly  annoy- 
ed thereat.  In  the  Spring  of  1734,  by  a  succession  of  ice- dams  which  accumulated  in 
the  river,  the  valley  was  overflowed,  and  the  inhabitants  were  compelled  to  fly  to  the 
mountains  for  safety.  When  the  ice  gave  way,  the  floods  swept  ofl"  every  thing — 
leaving  the  whole  valley  a  scene  of  greater  desolation  than  ever.  Presently  after- 
ward the  old  troubles  broke  out  afresh.  The  inhabitants  refused  to  obey  their  new 
masters.  The  Connecticut  settlers  flew  to  arms — the  Pennsylvanians  sent  troops 
thither — the  Connecticut  settlors  laid  siege  to  the  fort — there  were  riots  and  skir- 
mishings, and  some  killed  and  wounded.  The  Connecticut  people  were  taken  pri- 
Boiiers  by  treachery,  and  sent  off*  to  prison.  They  escaped.  Reinforcements  of 
troops  were  sent  by  Pennsylvania — there  was  more  blood  shed.  Various  attempts 
were  made  to  settle  the  dilKculties.  Commissioners  were  appointed  upon  the  sub- 
ject, one  of  whom  was  Timothy  Pickering.  He  was  forcibly  seized,  and  carried 
into  captivity.  His  sto'  has  been  written  by  himself,  and  is  full  of  interest.  These 
difliculties  continued,  with  feelings  of  the  bitterest  contention,  ten  years,  before 
matters  were  compromised  between  the  parties,  so  that  they  settled  down  in  peace. 
It  is  now  a  rich  and  flourishing  county,  and  may  be  called  the  Paradise  of  Penn- 
sylvania. , 
NOTE  TO  THE  FOURTH  EPmON.                                               ' 


Tho  Unitei)  amies  MnRftzIno  nnil  I)«nioc,mlic  Keviaw  lor  Oclobor,  1838,  contain!  an  nblo  roviow  of 
tlio  prisnoiil  work,  in  wliirli  thi-  writer  nrEiioa  llmt  thn  poaition  tjint  Hrnnt  wni  not  in  the  Imtllo  of  Wyo- 
'  "»lii!(l.     I'liii  roviiiwur'H  lu'liul'  is,  Uinl  llrnni 


niiiiu,  iH  nut  Miti^ituclorily  UHliililin 


[int  icaa  tliu  Indiiin  Iciiilnr  in 


thn  iniiKHiu'ro  ;  iiiul  it  not  tliiirc,  li»  r<'i)iiiri)H  ol'  tliu  nntlior  to  know  whern  liu  wns  iit  tlinl  lime.  Thii 
liiHl  woiilil  rcrliiiiiij'  ho  ri  dillliMill  (ineHlmn  In  iinKwer,  coimldi'ring  llin  extent  of  tin-  Anierirrin  l'iire»t(iat 
tliiit  pirioil.  Hini'c  tli(t  iiiiiii'iiniiKa'  ol  tliu  iirliile  in  iineiitioii,  liowuver,  tlieuntlior  Iiok  viaitud  tliu  IJeiin- 
ra  coiiiiliy,  1111(1  olilaiiieil  liie  ti'Kliniony  iil'  the  olil  chlelH  ii)iiiii  the  point  at  iHKiie.  Aiiionit  olherK,  thn 
mitlior  hiiil  an  iiileresliin;  inli'rview  with  the  venerahle  I'liiel'  h'adiiniliioiraiKl,  ei<iiiniiiiily  calluil  (.(i^- 
taiii  I'ollnrit.  He  wax  liiiiiNclt'iii  the  liatlle  of  VVyoniiliK,  anil  hn  ilenhirua  nneiiiiiviienlly  that  'I'hayen- 
iliinrKea  wiih  not  there.  Ho  hay  the  other  Imliiin  Hiirvivom  of  thai  liallle,  Tho  liiilianx  engHKeil  were 
ehiidly  Siiiei'aH  'I'lieir  leiulnr  wan  a  chief  iiaineil  (ii  ill  gmnh  lull,  who  wan  Hiieceodi'il  liy  Voung 
hiii/t,  a  eliief  who  il'i-il  ahoiit  two  yenraaito.  Itiit  few  Mohawki  were  upon  tlie  wur-p&lh  ill  the  caiii- 
puigii.    i'ullaril'Hbuiiol'if,  that  Mrant  wua  utNiuKuruat  the  lime. 


•iil 


I 

review  of 
( nf  Wyo- 

■  liMiilnr  in 
lie.    Thii 

r<iri'iil«  at 
tliu  Beiin- 
tlinrii,  l)i« 
IUhI  (.'«;»- 

'I'linyrn- 
giid  wnrit 
y  Voittig 

the  cam- 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


Evacuation  of  Philadelphia  by  Sir  Henry  Chnton— Followed  through  New  Jersey 
by  Washington — Battle  of  Monmouth — Conduct  and  arrest  of  General  Lee^ 
Retreat  of  the  enemy — Ai  rival  of  the  French  fleet — Combined  attack  of  the  Amo- 
ricans  and  French  upon  the  British  army  of  Rhode  Island — British  fleet  escapes 
from  Count  D'Estamg — Battle  of  Rhode  Island — Failure  of  the  expedition — 
Projected  campaigns  against  the  Indians-Captains  Pipe  and  White-Eye 


M'Kee  and  Girty — General  M'Intosh  ordered  against  the  Sandusky  towns- 
Irruption  of  Brant  into  Cobleskill— Of  M'DonaUl  into  the  Schoharie  settlements 
—Pusillanimity  of  Colonel  Vrooman — Bravery  of  Colonel  Harper — His  expedi* 
lion  to  Albany— Captivity  of  Mr.  Sawyer — Slays  six  Indians  and  escapes— Colo- 
nel William  Butier  sent  to  Schoharie-^Morgan's  rifle  corps— Daring  adventures 
of  Murphy  and  Elerson — Death  of  Service,  a  noted  Tory — Murphy's  subsequent 
adventures — Afl*airs  at  Fort  Schuyler — Alarming  number  of  desertions — Destruc- 
tion of  Andros-town  by  the  Indians — Coriflasiration  of  the  German  Flatts — Ex- 
pedition of  Colonel  William  Butler  from  Schoharie  to  Unadilla  and  Oghkwaga. 

No  sooner  had  Great  Britain  been  apprized  of  the  alliance 
between  France  and  her  revolted  Colonies,  than  it  was  deter- 
mined to  evacuate  Philadelphia,  and  concentrate  the  Royal 
army  at  New- York.     Accordingly,  on  the  18th  of  June  the 
British  troops  crossed  the  Delaware  into  New  Jersey,  and 
commenced  their  march  for  New- York,  ascending  the  east  bank 
of  the  river  to  AUentown,  and  thence  taking  the  lower  road 
leading  through  Monmouth  to  Sandy  Hook.     General  Wash- 
ington, anticipating  this  movement,  had  previously  detached  a 
division  of  the  army  under  General  Maxwell,  to  impede  the 
enemy's  march.     It  was  known  that  General  Gates  was  ap- 
proaching with  the  army  from  the  North,  and  the  enemy's 
motions  were  no  sooner  ascertained,  than  General  Wayne  was 
despatched,  with  one  thousand  chosen  men,  to  strengthen  the 
lines.     The  Marquis  de  Lafayette  was  directed  to  take  com- 
mand of  the  whole  force  thus  sent  in  advance,  while  Wash- 
ington himself  moved  rapidly  forward  with  the  main  army. 
It  was  his  design  to  bring  on  a  general,  and,  if  possible,  a  de- 
cisive engagement.     The  result  of  his  movements  for  that 
object  was  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  fought  on  the  28th  of  June. 
The  dispositions  for  this  engagement  were  admirably  arranged 
on  the  night  of  the  27th,  the  position  of  the  enemy  being  such 
as  to  afford  the  best  advantages  for  an  attack  upon  his  rear  the 
moment  he  should  get  in  motion.    Such  being  the  intentions  of 
tho  Commander-in-chief,  they  were  communicated  to  General 

48 


11 


ij'i 


II  '•  I 


\,  :■. 


344 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1778 


Lee,  who  was  ordered  to  make  his  dispositions  accordingly, 
and  to  keep  his  troops  lying  upon  their  arms  to  be  in  readiness 
at  the  shortest  notice.     At  five  in  the  morning-  of  the  28th,  the 
front  of  the  enemy  was  observed  to  be  in  motion,  and  orders 
were  instantly  despatched  to  General  Lee  to  move  on  and 
attack,  "  unless  there  shonld  be  veiy  powerful  reasons  to  the 
contrary."    Iice  was  also  advised  that  Washington  was  himself 
advancing  to  support  him.     After  marching  about  five  miles, 
"  to  the  great  surprise  and  mortification "  of  the  Commander- 
in-chief,  he  met  the  whole  advanced  corps  retreating,  by  the 
orders  of  Lee,  "  without  having  made  any  opposition,  except 
"  one  fire  given  by  a  party  under  Colonel  Butler,  on  their  being 
"  charged  by  the  enemy's  cavalry,  who  were  repulsed."*     Lee 
was  sharply  rebuked,  and  placed  in  arrest.     Hurrying  to  the 
rear  of  the  retreating  corps,  which  the  Commander-in-chief 
found  closely  pressed  by  the  enemy,  he  arrested  their  flight, 
re-formed  them,  and  with  the  aid  of  some  well-served  pieces  of 
artillery,  at  once  checked  the  enemy's  advance,  and  gained 
time  for  making  such  dispositions  as  the  unexpected  emergency 
required.     The  battle  soon  became  general,  and  was  obstinately 
contested  at  various  points  through  the  whole  day,  until  dark  ; 
Sir  Henry  Clinton  and  General  Washington  heading  their 
respective  armies  in  person.     By  the  misconduct  of  Lee,  how- 
ever, and  an  error  of  General  Scott  iu  the  morning,  advantages 
had  been   lost  which  entirely  disconcerted  the  views  of  the 
Commander-in-chief,  and  deprived  the  American  arms  of  a  victory 
which  was  all  but  certain.     Still,  the  fortunes  of  the  day  were 
so  far  recovered,  that,  from  being  the  pursued,  "  the  Americans 
"drove  the  enemy  back  over  the  ground  they  had  followed, 
"  and  recovered  the  field  of  battle,  and  possessed  themselves  of 
"  their  dead.     But  as  they  retreated  behind  a  morass  very  diffi- 
"  cult  to  pass,  and  had  both  flanks  secured  with  thick  woods, 
"  it  was  found  impracticable  for  the  Americans,  fainting  with 
"  fatigue,  heat,  and  want  of  water,  to  do  any  thing  more  that 
"  night."  t 

Both  armies  encamped  in  the  field,  and  lay  upon  their  arms  ; 
Washington  himself  sleeping  in  his  cloak  under  a  tree  in  the 


♦  Letter  of  Washington  to  the  Proaident  of  Congress,  July  1,  1773. 

t  Letter  of  Washington  to  his  brother,  John  Augustine  Washington,  July  4, 1778. 


1778.J 


BATTLE    OF    MONMOITTII. 


345 


midst  of  his  soldiers.  His  intention  was  to  renew  and  end  the 
battle  on  the  following  morning-,  not  doubting  as  to  the  issue. 
Indeed,  the  result  of  that  day's  fight  was  justly  considered  a 
victory  by  the  American  officers,  and  but  for  the  conduct  of 
Lee  in  the  morning,  it  would  almost  beyond  question  have  been 
decisive.*  But  the  purpose  of  the  Commander-in-chief  to  renew 
the  engagement  was  frustrated  by  a  silent  midnight  retreat  of 
the  enemy — so  silent,  indeed,  that  his  departure  was  not  known 
until  the  morning.t  A  variety  of  circumstances  concurred  to 
render  a  pursuit  by  the  Americans  unadvisable ;  among  the 
principal  of  which  were,  the  extreme  heat  of  the  weather,  the 
fatigue  of  the  army  from  its  march  through  a  deep  sandy 
country,  almost  entirely  destitute  of  water,  and  the  distance  the 
enemy  hud  gained  by  his  midnight  march.  A  pursuit,  it  was 
believed,  would  answer  no  valuable  piirpose,  and  would  certain- 
ly be  fatal  to  numbers  of  the  men,  several  of  whom  had 
perished  of  heat  on  the  preceding  day.t  The  American  com- 
mander thereupon  drew  off  his  army  to  the  Hudson,  crossed 
over,  and  once  more  established  his  head-quarters  at  White 
Plains.  Meantime  Sir  Henry  Clinton  proceeded  to  Sandy 
Hook,  and  thence  passed  his  troops  over  to  New- York.  The 
loss  of  the  Americans  in  this  battle  was  eight  officers  and  sixty- 
one  privates  killed,  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  wounded.     That 


1* 


t  V 


f  1 


*  In  a  letter  to  General  Gansevoort  from  Colonel  Willctt,  who  was  on  a  visit  to 
head-quarters  at  the  time  of  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  the  Colonel  says  : — "  1  have 
had  the  pleasure  of  seeingthe  American  army,  underthe  great  General  Washington, 
triumph  over  the  haughty  British  in  the  battle  of  Monmouth.  The  action  was 
grand,  and  ended  gloriously."— JV/S.  letter  of  Col.  Willell. 

t  In  his  despatches  to  his  government,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  stated  that  he  took  the 
advantage  of  the  moonlight  in  his  retreat ;  when,  in  reality,  he  did  not  begin  the  re- 
treat until  some  hours  after  the  moon  had  set.  In  the  course  of  a  correspondence  in 
the  following  Spring,  between  Governor  William  Livingston  and  Sir  Henry,  the 
Governor  taunted  him  upon  this  subject  of  his  moonlight  retreat.  That  correspond- 
ence was  sharp  upon  both  sides.  Governor  Livingston  wrote  to  Sir  Henry  (hat  ho 
had  received  indisputable  evidence,  that  a  British  General  had  offered  a  large  sum  of 
money  to  an  inhabitant  of  New  Jersey  to  assassinate  him,  (Governor  L.)  Sir 
Henry  repelled  the  imputation  in  utrong  terms— declaring  that  were  he  "capable  of 
harborincr  such  an  infamous  idea  as  that  of  assassination,  he  would  not  blacken 
himself  with  so  foul  a  crime  to  obtain  so  trifling  an  end."  Clinton  was  evidently 
irritated,  and  from  the  coarseness  of  his  language,  gave  Governor  Livingston  the  de« 
cided  advantage  in  his  rejoinder,  which  was  equally  dignified  and  severe. — Vid* 
jJimow's  Remembrancer,  vol.  vi.  pp.  279,  281. 

t  Letter  of  Wasliington  to  the  President  of  Congress. 


{!?  fir 


lliff' 


:..*i 


346 


LIFE   OF   BRANT. 


1778. 


of  the  enemy  was  three  hundred  and  sixty-eight  in  killed, 
wounded,  and  missing,  and  about  one  hundred  taken  prisoners. 
One  thousand  of  their  men  deserted  on  their  inareh.  Both 
parties  claimed  the  victory,  which  was  in  fact  won  by  neither. 
The  advantages,  in  the  earlier  part  of  the  day,  were  in  favor  of 
the  British ;  in  the  after-part,  of  the  Americans.  The  stealthy 
retreat  of  the  former,  moreover,  covered  by  the  darkness,  left  no 
doubt  as  to  which  army  was  best  prepared  to  renew  the  conflict 
with  the  return  of  daylight. 

The  French  fleet,  under  the  Count  D'Estaing,  consisting 
of  twelve  ships  of  the  line  and  six  frigates,  having  on  board 
four  thousand  troops,  arrived  on  the  coast  of  Virginia  about 
the  1st  of  July.  The  design  of  the  French  commander  was 
to  engage  the  British  squadron  in  the  Chesapeake.  But  un- 
fortunately,  the  latter  had  sailed  for  New- York  a  few  days  be. 
fore.  Thither  the  Count  followed  the  British  admiral,  but  the 
bar  of  the  New- York  harbor  would  not  allow  the  entrance 
of  his  heavy  ships.  An  attack  upon  New- York  thus  proving 
to  be  impracticable,  by  the  advice  of  General  Washington  i( 
was  determined  to  make  an  attempt  upon  Rhode  Island,  then 
occupied  by  six  thousand  British  troops  commanded  by  Major 
General  Sir  Robert  Pigott.  General  Sullivan,  with  an  army 
of  ten  thousand  men,  was  lying  in  the  neighborhood  of  Provi- 
dence. Count  D'Estaing  arrived  off"  Newport  on  the  25th  of 
July,  and  arrangements  were  soon  adjusted  between  General 
Sullivan  and  himself  for  a  combined  attack  upon  the  town  of 
Newport  by  land  and  sea.  The  assault  was  to  be  made  on 
the  9th  of  August,  for  which  purpose  Sullivan  moved  down 
to  Tiverton,  where  he  was  joined  by  General  Greene,  and  the 
ships  of  war  entered  the  channel.  But  the  militia  not  having 
joined  the  regular  troops  so  promptly  as  was  expected.  General 
Sullivan  judged  it  necessary  to  postpone  the  attack  for  a  day  or 
two.  Meantime  Lord  Howe  appeared  off"  the  harbor  with  the 
British  fleet,  and  the  Count  D'Estaing  immediately  put  to  sea 
to  engage  him.  The  French  fleet  having  tlie  weather  gage, 
the  Britisli  admiral  weighed  anchor  and  put  to  sea,  followed  by 
the  Count.  A  storm  separated  the  fleets,  so  that  no  engage^ 
ment  took  place ;  and  on  his  return  to  port  on  the  19th,  Count 
D'Estaing  found  it  necessary  to  repair  to  Boston  to  refit.  Du- 
ring the  absence  of  the  Count,  however,  while  in  chase  of  Lord 


i 

I 


1778.] 


BATTLE   OP    RHODE    ISLAND. 


347 


Howe,  Genoral  Sullivan  had  crossed  over  to  the  island,  and  on 
the  15th  laid  siege  to  the  town  of  Newport.  But  when  the 
French  admiral  departed  for  Boston,  the  militia,  disappointed 
and  disheartened  at  being  thus  abandoned  by  their  allies,  left 
the  service  in  such  iiimibers,  tliat  Sullivan  was  compelled  to 
raise  the  siego  and  retire.  He  was  pursued  to  the  distance  of 
a  mile  north  of  Quciker  Hill,  where,  on  the  29th  of  August,  was 
fought  the  battle  of  Rhode  Island.  It  was  a  sharp  and  obstinate 
engagement  of  half  an  hour,  at  the  end  of  which  the  enemy 
gave  way  and  retreated.  The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  two 
hundred  and  eleven.  That  of  the  enemy  two  hundred  and 
sixty.*  Ascertaining,  soon  afterward,  that  strong  reinforcements 
were  coming  from  New- York  to  the  aid  of  Genoral  Pigott,  a 
resolution  was  immediately  adopted  by  Sullivan  to  evacuate 
the  island.  This  determination  was  executed  on  the  night  of 
the  30th — most  luckily,  as  the  event  proved  ;  for  on  the  very 
next  day  Sir  Henry  Clinton  arrived  at  Newport  with  four 
thousand  troops,  which  reinforcement  would  doubtless  have 
enabled  the  enemy  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the  Americans. 

In  September,  after  the  return  of  the  British  troops  to  Ne\^- 
York,  strong  divisions  moved  northward  on  each  side  of  the 
Hudson  river.  By  a  detachment  of  one  of  these,  under  Gene- 
ral Gray,  a  regiment  of  American  cavalry,  commanded  by  Co- 
lonel Baylor,  was  surprised  while  asleep  at  Tappan,  and  almost 
entirely  cut  off.  The  enemy  rushed  upon  the  sleeping  troopers, 
numbering  one  hundred  and  four  privates  with  their  bayonets. 
The  loss,  killed,  wounded,  and  taken,  was  sixty-four.  This 
exploit  was  very  similar  to  that  of  the  Paoli,  under  the  same 
General,  the  preceding  year. 

In  consequence  of  the  hostile  spirit  very  generally  and  ex- 
tensively  manifested  by  the  Indians — the  great  western  tribes 
becoming  more  and  more  restif— early  in  June,  immediately 
preceding  the  affair  of  Wyoming,  Congress  had  determined 
upon  a  more  enlarged  and  decisive  campaign  against  them. 
This  had,  indeed,  become  the  more  necessary  from  the  bellige- 
rent indications  among  the  Delawares  and  Shawanese,  inha- 
biting the  territory  now  forming  the  State  of  Ohio.    At  the 


I,  I    1 


!    1 


H^ 


Du- 
Tiord 


'I'  One  of  the  most  brilliant  affairs  during  this  expedition  was  performed  by  Colo- 
nel John  Trumbull,  who  was  acting  as  a  volunteer  under  Sullivan  at  the  timo— as 
will  be  seen  by  the  Colonel's  memoirs  when  published* 


348 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1778. 


■(.<■ 


I'     ,  ,•#'" 


,5 


i 


vf 


commencement  of  the  war  Koqnethagaeehlon,  the  Delaware 
chief  usually  known  as  Captain  White-Eyes,  a  firm  friend  of 
the  Colonies,  had  succeeded  in  preventing  his  people  from  taking 
up  the  hatchet  against  them,  in  opposition  to  the  views  of  his 
rival  chief,  Captain  Pipe.  But  in  the  Spring  of  the  present 
year,  the  policy  of  the  latter  had  well  nigh  prevailed,  through 
the  revengeful  machinations  of  three  celebrated  loyalists,  named 
M-Kee,  Elliot,  and  Simon  Girti/,  who  had  been  confined  at 
Pittsburgh  as  Tories ;  but  who,  effecting  their  escape,  traversed 
the  Indian  country  to  Detroit,  proclaiming,  as  they  went,  that 
the  Americans  had  resolved  upon  their  destruction,  and  that 
tlieir  only  chance  of  safety  was  to  espouse  the  cause  of  the 
Crown,  and  fight.  Availing  himself  of  the  excitement  created 
by  those  fugitives,*  Captain  Pipe  assembled  a  large  number  of 
his  warriors,  and  proclaimed  "  every  one  an  enemy  to  his 
"  country  who  should  endeavor  to  persuade  them  against  fight- 
"  ing  the  Americans,  and  declared  that  all  such  ought  surely 
"  to  be  put  to  death."  But  White-Eyes  was  by  no  means  in- 
active in  his  eflSbrts  to  preserve  peace.  Collecting  the  people 
of  his  tribe,  he  addressed  them  with  great  earnestness  and 
pathos.  Observing  that  some  of  his  warriors  were  preparing 
to  take  up  the  hatchet,  he  admonished  them  strongly  against 
such  a  course,  which,  in  the  end,  could  only  bring  upon  them 
sure  destruction.  Still,  if  they  believed  he  wa-f  wrong — if  they 
were  disposed  to  place  more  confidence  in  the  tales  of  those 
whom  he  knew  to  be  fiigitivcs,  than  to  himself,  they  should  not 
go  out  without  him.  "But  he  would  not  go  out  with  them 
"  like  the  bear-hunter,  who  sets  the  dogs  on  the  animal  to  bo 
"  beaten  about  with  his  paws  while  he  keeps  ot  a  safe  distance, 
"  No  !  He  would  lead  them  on,  place  himself  in  their  front, 
"and  be  the  first  who  should  full.  They  only  had  to  deter- 
"  mine  what  they  meant  to  do.  As  for  his  own  mind,  it  was 
"  fully  made  up  not  to  survive  his  nation.  And  ho  would  not 
"spend  th(!  remainder  of  a  miserable  life,  in  bewailing  the  total 
"  destruction  of  a  brave  people  who  deserved  a  belter  fate."  t 

The  comisel  of  White-Myes,  supported  by  a  conciliatory  mes- 
sage, which  was  received  just  in  good  time,  from  the  Americans, 

♦  The  nainoR  of  llicHn  inon  will  l)oof  frmmontrrciirroncnin  thonubHoqiMnt  vohiiii« 
uf  tluR  work,  in  connoxion  with  tho  Indian  wars  of  17HU — 170'1. 
V  Druku'a  Uuok  of  tho  Indiani. 


II 


1778.] 


DELAWAKES    AND   SIIAWANESE. 


349 


prevailed  for  the  moment,  and  the  Dclawares  came  to  tlie  unani- 
mous determination  to  follow  his  advice,  and  his  alone.  Avail- 
ing himself  of  the  hour  of  success,  Wiiite-Eyes  fovthwitli  des- 
patched the  following  energetic  letter  to  the  Shawauese  of  the 
Scioto,  who  had  also  been  visited  by  M'Kee,  Elliot,  and  Glrty. 

"  Grand-childken,  ye  Siiawanese:  Some  days  ago  a 
flock  of  birds,  that  had  come  on  from  the  East,  lit  at  Goscho- 
chking,  imposing  a  song  of  theirs  upon  us,  which  song  had  nigh 
proved  our  ruin.  Should  these  birds,  which,  on  leaving  us, 
took  their  flight  toward  Scioto,  endeavor  to  impose  a  song  ou 
you  likewise,  do  not  listen  to  them,  for  they  lie." 

But  the  hostile  action  of  these  people  was  only  suspended  for 
a  short  time,  and  it  became  necessary  for  more  extended  and 
elRcient  operations  against  nearly  the  whole  race.*  In  the  pro- 
ject of  Congress  already  adverted  to,  it  was  intended  that  one 
expedition  should  move  upon  Detroit,  while  General  Gates  was 


'  >■■. 


'J 


.^r 


them 
f  they 

those 
Id  not 

them 

to  1)0 

stiinee. 

front, 

ileter- 
it  was 

Id  not 
e  total 

."t 
J  mes- 

icans, 

voluiiit 


♦  Indeed,  the  Sliawancse  liiid  not  been  reinaiUiibly  quiet  antecedent  to  the  visita- 
tion of  M'Kcc,  Elliot,  and  Ciily,  since  they  had  for  several  years  been  engaged  in  a 
system  of  predatory  warfare  a<;nins>t  the  celebrated  Ctilonel  Daniel  Boon  and  hi."  ad- 
venturous companion!),  almost  from  tiio  day  they  made  their  appearance  upon  the 
hnnka  of  the  Ohio,  with  thtnr  families,  in  1773,  when  tlio  settlement  of  the  present 
Slate  of  Kentucky  was  commenced.  Uoon  hud  been  engaged  with  Lord  Dunmoro 
in  his  war  against  the  Shawanesc  in  1774.  In  the  following  year  he  was  attacked 
in  Doonsborough,  his  principal  settlement ;  and  through  the  entire  years  of  I77n  and 
1777,  hostilities  were  actively  prosecuted  by  the  savages  against  the  advancing  Co- 
lonists, in  one  of  the  earlier  buttles  Roon  had  lost  a  8on.  A  second  son  fell  after- 
ward, and  his  <liiughter  was  tuken  a  captive,  but  bravely  rescued  by  the  chivalrous 
father.  In  April,  1777,  the  Indians  so  divided  (heir  forces  as  to  fall  u);on  all  the  in- 
fant settlements  at  once,  and  their  little  forts  only  saved  the  people  from  destruction. 
On  the  ITith  of  April,  noonsburnugh  was  uiiacked  by  one  hundred  Indians,  at  which 
time  the  inhabitants  sutlered  severely.  On  the  IJIth,  Colonel  Logan's  fort  was  at- 
tacked by  a  force  of  two  hundred  Indians,  but  tbey  were  repulsed  by  the  ^unison, 
consisting  of  only  thirteen  men — two  of  whom  wen;  killed.  Ueinfiircements  arriv- 
ing frrun  Virginia,  the  Mkivniislu^s  became  almost  daily.  In  February  of  the  present 
year,  (177H)  Uoon ^Ix trough  wa.i  again  attacked,  and  the  gullunt  Colonel  himself 
taken  prisoner.  Ho  was  taken  first  to  Cbilieothe,  and  theuee  to  Pctroil,  where  be 
was  treated  with  luunanity  by  Colonel  llumilton,  the  fJovernor,  who  olli'ri'd  the  lii' 
diann  £100  if  thi<y  would  .-oirri'iider  him  into  his  hands,  that  he  might  libernte  him 
nn  his  parole.  Hut  having  imbibed  n  stronii  alleetion  for  their  most  subtle  and  sue- 
Rossful  enemy,  the  Indians  declined  the  oll(<r.  'i'aking  him  buck  to  ('liilie<itli(<,  (ho 
Cobmel  was  duly  adopted  into  one  of  the  Sba^vanese  families  as  a  son,  to  whom  bin 
now  parents  beeanie  strongly  altaehi'd.  He  soon  Dcepiired  their  conHdence  to  such 
nn  extent,  Unit  they  allowed  him  to  wander  ntV,  and  hunt  by  himself  Aseertaiiiinij, 
h  '  '  ever,  that  they  were  ine<litating  another  descent  upon  noousborou^b,  he  ah- 
BL'ondcd,  and,  eluding  pursuit,  reached  hi^  home  on  the  'iOtli  of  June. 


I  1 


t       ;hf 


f 


350 


LIFE  OP   BRAWt. 


[1778. 


p 


I'  1  ^ 


(•I 


J. 


instructed  by  resolution  to  co-operate  with  that  expedition  by 
carrying  the  war  into  the  Seneca  country,  and  also  to  dispos- 
sess the  enemy  of  Oswego,  should  he  be  found  in  the  occu* 
pancy  of  that  post.  It  appears,  that  at  the  very  moment  of  the 
invasion  of  Wyoming,  there  was  a  delegation  of  Seneca  chiefs 
at  Philadelphia ;  but  having  taken  their  departure  without  com- 
municating with  the  government,  a  resolution  was  passed  by 
Congress,  immediately  upon  the  receipt  of  Colonel  Z.  Butler's 
despatches,  instructing  the  Board  of  War  to  send  after  the  chiefs, 
and  ascertain  from  them  in  what  character,  and  for  what  pur- 
poses, they  hud  made  the  said  visit ;  and  also  to  inquire  whether 
the  Seneca  warriors  had  not  been  engaged  in  hostilities  against 
the  United  States.  On  the  16th  of  July  information  was  re- 
ceived that  the  c'liefs  refused  to  return,  and  insiructions  to 
General  Schuyler  were  proposed,  directing  him  to  intercept  and 
detain  them  at  Albany.  The  motion  was  negatived ;  but  on 
the  25th  of  July,  Congress  having  ascertained  that  the  Senecas 
were  actually  engaged  in  the  invasion  of  Wyoming,  "  aided  by 
''  Tories  and  other  banditti  from  the  frontiers  of  New- York, 
"  New  Jersey,  and  Pennsylvania,"  it  was  resolved  that  the 
expedition  against  the  hostiles  of  the  Six  Nations  should  be 
forwarded  with  all  possible  despatch.  In  the  mean  time,  how- 
ever, from  the  expensiveness  of  the  undertaking,  the  expedition 
against  Detroit  was  reluctantly  abandoned ;  but  in  lieu  there- 
of. General  M'Intosh,  commanding  the  Western  department, 
was  ordered  to  proceed  from  Pittsburgh  against  those  of  tho 
Indian  towns  the  destruction  of  which,  in  his  opinion,  would 
tefid  most  etFectually  to  intimidate  and  chastise  them.*  M*In- 
tosh  had  been  stationed  at  Pittsburgh  early  in  the  Spring,  and 
with  a  small  party  of  regulars  and  militia,  had  descended  the 
Ohio  about  thirty  miles,  and  erected  a  fort,  which  was  called  by 
his  own  name,  at  Beavertown.  It  was  a  small  work,  built  of 
strong  stockades,  and  furnished  with  bastions  mounting  one 
six  pounder  each.  The  situation  was  well  chosen,  as  a  point 
affording  the  best  facilities  for  intercepting  the  war  parties  of 
the  western  Indians,  in  their  frequent  hostile  incursions  the 
present  year. 

This  expedition  was  doubtless  judged  the  more  important 
from  tho  increasing  audacity  of  the  Indians  on  tho  Ohio  border 

*  JuuriiuU  ufCutijieiii,  vul.  iv,  pugos,  31'],  3U8,  -115,  HT, 


iHn 


[1778. 

tion  by 
dispos- 
e  occu* 
It  of  the 
a  chiefs 
lut  com- 
ssed  by 
Butler's 
le  chiefs, 
hat  pur- 
whether 
3  against 
was  re- 
gions to 
cept  and 
;  but  on 
Senecas 
aided  by 
iw-York, 
that  the 
nould  be 
ne,  how- 
led ition 
u  tliere- 
artment, 
;e  of  tho 
1,  would 
M'ln- 
ing,  and 
ided  the 
ailed  by 
built  of 
ing  one 
a  point 
arties  of 
ons  the 

[iportant 
border 


1778.] 


COLONEL    DANIEL    BOON. 


351 


of  Virginia,  now  forming  the  State  of  Kentucky.  In  August, 
Colonel  Boon  Uad  led  a  small  band  of  nineteen  men  against 
one  of  the  Indian  towns  on  the  Scioto,  before  reaching  which 
he  fell  in  with  and  dispersed  a  party  of  forty  Indians  then  on 
their  way  to  Boonsborough.  The  Colonel  found  the  town  at 
Point  Creek  deserted  ;  and  learned  that  their  whole  force  had 
gone  against  his  own  settlement,  to  the  defence  of  which  he 
was  consequently  compelled  to  hasten  buck.  Fonunately  he 
anticipated  their  arrival  by  a  few  hours,  and  was  enabled  to 
prepare  his  little  garrison  for  defence.  On  the  8th  of  August 
the  IndiAns,  to  the  number  of  about  four  hundred  and  fifty,  ar- 
rived before  the  fort,  led,  in  addition  to  their  own  chiefs,  by 
Captain  Duquesne,  and  eleven  other  Canadian  Frenchmen, 
The  garrison  was  formally  summoned  to  surrender,  which  sum- 
mons was  peremptorily  refused.  A  treaty  was  then  proposed 
by  the  besiegers,  and  acceded  to  ;  the  Indians  requiring  that 
nine  meft  should  be  sent  out  to  them  as  negotiators.  But  this 
movement  proved  to  be  an  artifice,  by  means  of  which  they 
hoped  to  gain  access  to  the  fort.  An  attempt  to  grapple  with 
and  carry  off  the  nine  negotiators,  though  happily  unsuccess- 
ful, disclosed  their  treacherous  design.  The  besiegers  then  at- 
tempted a  regular  approach  from  the  river's  brink  by  mining  ; 
but  finding  that  the  garrison  had  discovered  their  purpose,  and 
were  engaged  in  countermining  them,  the  siege  was  abandoned 
on  the  20th  of  August.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  was  thirty-seven 
killed  and  a  much  larger  number  woundcti.  The  loss  of  the 
garrison  was  only  two  men  killed  and  four  wounded. 

But,  as  we  havt-  seen,  the  expedition  of  General  M'Intosh,  as 
authorized  by  the  vote  of  Congress  recently  cited,  was  specially 
destined  against  tho  Sandusky  towns.  It  was  commanded  by  tho 
General  himself,  and  consisted  of  one  thousand  men  ;  but  stich 
were  the  delays  in  getting  it  on  foot,  that  the  officers,  on  arriving 
at  Tuscarawa,  judged  it  imprudent  to  proceed  farther  at  such 
on  advanced  season  of  the  year.  They  theni'ore  halted  at  that 
place,  and  built  Fort  I.aurens,  in  which  M'lntosh  left  a  gar- 
rison of  one  hundred  and  fifiy  men  under  the  conmiand  of  Co- 
lonel John  Gibson,  and  returned  himself  to  Fort  Pitt  for  tho 
winter.* 

Connected  with  these  distant  Indian  operations,  of  tho  Sum- 

*  Doddriilsn'M  Imlinn  VV^uri. 

49 


■'  -I 
I.; 


iV 


352 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


I'       -H 


I      f 


A 

lit 


Ik 

i' 


[1778 


mer  of  1778,  was  one  equally  distinguished  by  the  boldness  of 
its  conception  and  the  brilliancy  of  its  execution.     The  increas- 
ing hostility  of  the  remote  tribes  upon  the  waters  of  the  Missis- 
sippi and  its  tributaries,  had  induced  a  belief  that  a  powerful 
influence  must  have  1 3en  exerted  upon  their  minds  by  the  set- 
tlements planted  long  before  at  Kaskaskias,  and  in  the  country 
of  the  upper  Mississippi,  by  the  French,  in  connexion  with 
Canada.     For  the  purpose  of  striking  at  once  at  the  root  of  the 
evil,  an  expedition  was  organized  early  in  the  season,  the  object 
of  which  wqs  to  invade  and  take  possession  of  those  settlements. 
The  command  was  entrusted  to  Colonel  George  Rogers  Clarke, 
of  Virginia,  a  bold  and  experienced  border  officer,  and  his 
whole  force,  destined  to  penetrate  twelve  hundred  miles  through 
a  wilderness,  which  was  in  fact  the  enemy's  country,  did  not 
exceed  two  hundred  men.     The  rendezvous  of  this  little  army 
was  at  the  great  Kanhawa,  where  they  were  attacked  by  a 
superior  Indian  force  before  their  embarkation.     But  findinsj 
they  were  not  able  to  make  any  impression  upon  the  fort,  the 
assailants  drew  off,  having  killed  but  one  man  and  wounded 
one  or  two  more.     Descending  to  the  falls  of  the  Ohio,  a  small 
fort,  was  erected  at  that  place,  in  which  a  garrison  Avas  left  of 
ten  or  twelve  families.     Arriving  within  about  sixty  miles  of 
the  mouth  of  the  Ohio,  the  troops  were  land'id,  and,  with  only 
four  days'  provisions,  marched  for  the  Illinois.     They  reached 
the  precincts  of  Kaskaskias  at  midnight  on  the  sixth  day, 
having  marched  two  days  without  food,  and  determined  forth- 
with, and  unanimously,  to  take  the  town  or  die  in  the  attempt. 
The  town  was  strongly  fortified,  and  contained  about  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  well-built  houses  ;  but  the  approacli  of  the  invaders 
was  unknown  ;  the  people  and  the  garrison  were  alike  slum- 
bering in  security ;  and  both  town  and  fort  were  taken — the 
latter  being  carried  by  surprise,  although  the  defences  were  suf- 
ciently  strong  to  resist  a  thousand  men.     The  commandin;r 
officer,  Philip  Rochoblave,  was  made  prisoner  ;  and  among  his 
papers,  falling  into  the  hands  of  (volonol  Clarke,  were  the  instruc- 
tions which  he  hud  from  time  to  time  received  from  the  British 
Governors  of  Quebec,  Detroit,  and  Michilimackinack,  urging 
him  to  stimulate  the  Indians  to  war  by  the  proller  of  large 
bounties  for  scalps.    Rocheblavo  was  sent  a  prisoner  to  Wil- 


I 


[1778 

dness  of 
increas- 
}  Missis- 
)Owerfal 
the  set- 
country 
on  with 
ot  of  the 
he  object 
;lements. 
s  Clarke, 
and  his 
;  through 
,  did  not 
ttle  army 
Iced  by  a 
it  findins, 
5  fort,  the 
wounded 
0,  a  small 
as  left  of 
miles  of 
with  only 
Y reached 
xth  day, 
led  forth- 
3  attempt, 
two  hun- 
iiivaders 
Uc  slum- 
ken— the 
were  snf- 
)mandin;j; 
mong  his 
e  instruc- 
le  British 
,  urging 
of  large 
r  to  Wil- 


1778.] 


COLONEL    CLARKE  S    EXPEDITION. 


353 


liamsburgh  in  Virginia,  and  with  him  were  sent  the  papers 
taken  from  his  portfolio. 

On  the  day  after  the  fall  of  Kaskaskias,  Captain  Joseph 
Bowman,  at  tlie  head  of  thirty  mounted  men,  was  sent  to  attack 
three  other  towns  upon  the  Mississippi,  the  first  of  which, 
called  Parraderuski,  distant  fifteen  miles  from  Kaskaskias,  was 
surprised,  and  taken  without  opposition — the  inhabitants  at 
once  assenting  to  the  terms  of  the  conqueror.  The  next  town 
was  St.  Philips,  distant  nine  miles  farther  up.  The  force  of 
Captain  Bowman  was  so  small,  that  he  wisely  determined  to 
make  a  descent  upon  St.  Philips  in  the  night,  that  his  strength, 
or  rather  his  weakness,  might  be  concealed.  The  precaution 
ensured  success  ;  and  the  inhabitants,  with  whom  the  whole 
negotiation  was  conducted  in  tiie  night,  acceded  to  the  terms 
prescribed.  From  St.  Philips,  Captain  Bowman  directed  his 
course  upon  the  yet  mere  considerable  town  of  Cauhow,  distant 
between  forty  and  fifty  miles.  This  town  contained  about  one 
hundred  families,  and  was  also  approached  secretly,  and  entered 
in  the  night.  Captain  Bowman,  with  his  troop,  rode  directly 
to  the  quarters  of  the  commander,  and  demanded  the  surrender 
of  himself  and  the  whole  town,  which  was  immediately  com- 
plied with.  Taking  possession  of  a  large  stone  house,  well 
fcrtfied,  the  "  bold  dragoon  "  immediately  established  his  quar- 
ters therein,  and  awaited  the  morning's  dawn,  which  would 
disclose  to  the  people  the  diminutive  force  to  which  they  had 
surrendered.  Enraged  ut  the  discovery,  one  of  the  enemy 
threatened  to  bring  a  body  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  Indians 
against  the  little  American  squadron,  and  cut  them  off.  But  he 
was  secured,  and  in  the  course  of  ten  days  upward  of  three 
hundred  of  the  inhahilants  became  so  reconciled  to  theri* 
change  of  masters,  as  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the 
United  States.  Leaving  a  small  guard  at  Cauliow,  Captain 
Bowman  reUirned  to  Kaskaskias.* 

But  the  enemy  on  the  New- York  frontiers  were  by  no  means 
inactive.  In  addition  to  the  severe  allair  in  the  Cobleskill  set- 
tlement, in  which  Captain  Christian  Brown  was  the  leader  of 

*  Tho  facts  connoctcd  with  tliis  expedition  nf  Colonel  Clarke,  aro  drawn  rrom  a 
letter  of  Captain  Dowmun  to  Colonel  Julin  Tlito  nf  Virginia.  See  Almon'a  AmerU 
con  Roinembrancer,  vol.  vi.  pp.  82,  8;),  Tho  setllenu  nta  Uiui  taken  wer«  iinme- 
diato*/  oroutod  hy  Vir^nia  into  a  county,  called  lUinuid. 


Mr         I       !l 


m 


I*' 


I 


r     ,  i*fl 


354 


LIFE   Olf   BRANT. 


[1778. 


the  American  militia  and  a  small  band  of  regulars,  as  noted 
in  the  last  preceding  chapter  but  one,  a  large  band  of  Indians 
and  Tories,  under  the  conduct  of  Brant  and  Barent  Frey,  broke 
into  the  same  district  at  the  close  of  May,  and  inflicted  no 
small  degree  of  damage  by  the  destruction  of  both  life  and 
property.  They  were  met  by  Captain  Patrick,  belonging  to 
Colonel  Alden's  regiment,  and  a  handful  of  troops,  who  were 
entirely  cut  to  pieces.  Captain  Patrick  fell  early  in  the  engage- 
ment. His  lieutenant,  a  corporal,  and  nineteen  men,  were  also 
killed.  The  command  then  devolved  upon  a  sergeant,  who 
fought  bravely,  as  all  had  done.  But  they  were  surrounded 
by  a  force  greatly  superior  in  numbers,  and  but  four  men,  ex- 
clusive of  the  sergeant,  escaped — all  wounded.  The  bodies  of 
Patrick  and  his  lieutenant  were  shockingly  mutilated.  A  por- 
tion of  the  settlement  was  burnt,  and  the  settlement  of  Turlock, 
in  the  same  vicinity,  was  also  ravaged.* 

TSor  was  this  all.  In  the  course  of  the  Summer,  and  proba- 
bly at  about  the  time  of  Colonel  Hartley's  expedition  into  the 
country  above  Wyoming,  one  of  the  M'Donalds,  who  had  fled 
from  Johnstown,  a  loyalist  officer,  distinguished  for  his  activity, 
made  a  sudden  irruption  into  the  Schoharie  settlements,  at  the 
head  of  about  three  hundred  Tories  and  Indians,  burning 
houses,  and  killing  and  making  prisoners  such  of  the  inhabi- 
tants as  came  in  his  way,  and  were  not  able  to  make  their 
escape.  The  little  fortress  of  Schoharie  was  occupied  by  a 
small  garrison,  commanded  by  Colonel  Vrooman — one  of  that 
class  of  men  who,  though  officers,  are  certain  never  to  be  cdUed 
soldiers.  They  saw  the  ravages  of  the  enemy — the  conflagra- 
tions by  night  rendorinir  visible  the  acts  of  outrage  committed 
by  day — but  from  their  own  weakness  dared  not  to  venture 
forth,  or  make  a  show  of  opposition.  The  brave  Colonel 
Harper  was  in  the  fot  with  Vrooman,  and  was  little  satisfied 
with  the  course  of  that  officer.     Leaving  the  fort,  therefore 

•  Tlio  only  account  of  tliis  nfluir  wliidi  thn  nutlior  lias  discovered,  was  found  ac- 
cidcntully  among  tlie  piipcrs  of  General  Ganncvoorl,  after  tlio  fourleentli  chapter  had 
breii  printed.  It  is  coiitnined  in  a  Icllnr  from  Ciloncl  Richard  Varick  to  Colonel 
Gaiiscvnort,  dated  Sclinnectady,  .Tnnn  3,  1778,  which  statop  ''i'  f  the  invasion  took 
place  on  thn  preceding  Snturdny.  Had  th's  letter  been  so  "ler  liiBCOvered,  the  inci- 
dent would  havi!  been  inserted  in  niore  cxoct  chronological  order — since  (he  aflair 
in  which  Captain  Drown  was  the  American  com'imnder,  occurred,  oa  related  in  IHq 
fourtocitth  chapter,  from  Brown's  narrative,  more  than  a  month  afterward. 


1778.] 


IRUUPTIOXS    INTO    8CHOHARIE. 


355 


^und  ac* 
pter  had 
ICnIonel 
[>n  took 
Iho  inci- 
Le  afiair 
Id  in  tho 


himself,  he  succeeded  in  making  his  way  through  the  enemy, 
mounted  his  horse,  and  started  express  for  Albany.  His  move- 
ment was  discovered,  and  several  Tories  and  Indians  were 
despatched  in  pursuit.  They  overtook  him  in  the  night  at  an 
inn  at  Fox's  Creek,  after  he  had  retired  to  bed.  Hearing  the 
noise  below,  the  Colonel  sprang  up  in  full  panoply,  and  as 
they  broke  open  the  door  which  he  had  locked,  he  presented 
his  arms  with  such  earnestness,  that  they  recoiled.  Standing 
upon  the  watch  until  the  dawn  of  morning,  he  again  succeeded 
in  getting  to  horse,  and  rode  off.  One  of  the  Indians  followed 
him  almost  to  Albany — the  Colonel  being  obliged  frequently  to 
turn  upon  his  dusky  pursuer,  who  as  often  took  to  his  heels  as 
his  pursuit  was  discovered.  Having  communicated  the  situa- 
tion of  affairs  in  the  Sclioharie  valley  to  Colonel  Gansevoort, 
a  squadron  of  cavalry  was  forthwith  detached  to  their  assist- 
ance. The  detachment  rode  all  night,  and  early  on  the  fol- 
lowing morning,  to  the  great  joy  of  the  terrified  inhabitants 
who  remained,  the  tramp  of  hoofs  announced  the  approach  of 
succors.  The  spirited  light-horse-men  had  no  sooner  sounded 
a  charge  and  made  a  dash  upon  the  besiegers,  led  on  by  Har- 
per, than  the  troops  sallied  out  from  the  fort,  and  a  precipitate 
retreat  of  the  enemy  was  the  consequence.* 

The  people  of  Schoharie  had  suffered  severely  from  the 
scouts  and  scalping  parties  of  the  enemy  during  the  Summer ; 
but  their  bravery  in  individual  contests  had  amply  avenged 
their  wrongs.  On  one  occasion  a  parly  of  seven  Indians  made 
prisoner  of  a  Mr.  Sawyer,  whom  they  bound,  and  marched  off 
into  the  wilderness.  Having  proceeded  eight  or  ten  miles, 
they  laid  themselves  down  to  sleep  for  the  night.  But  their 
prisoner  had  been  1'  s  effiictually  secured  than  they  supposed. 
In  the  course  of  the  niffht  he  succeeded  in  disengaging  his 
hands,  and  cautiously  taking  a  hatchet  from  the  girdle  of  one 
of  the  Indians,  he  despatched  six  of  them  in  rapid  succession, 
and  wounded  the  seventh,  who  made  his  escape.  Having  thus 
relieved  himself  of  his  keepers.  Sawyer  returned  home  in 
safety,  and  at  his  leisure.! 

Soon  after  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Wil- 
liam Butler,  with  one  of  the  Pennsylvania  regiments  and  a 
detachment  of  Morgan's  riflemen,  was  ordered  to  Uie  North, 

*  Letter  orRuv.  Mr.  Fenn,  or Flarporeflold.  t  CampboU'i  AnnaU. 


|i  K 


I 


:f 


)   ' 


1=;:^ 

:l':i. 


U^l 


;?ili 


,!.  I 


II  ;!■ 


«:  h, 


Ml  } 


h    r 


356 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1778. 


and  stationed  at  Schoharie.  Butler  was  a  brave  and  expe- 
rienced officer,  especially  qualified  for  the  service  upon  which 
he  was  appointed.*  His  arrival  in  Scf^arie  had  a  salu- 
tary eflfect,  by  discouraging  the  disaffected,  and  by  the  presence 
of  a  stronger  force  than  had  yet  been  among  them^establishing 
the  confidence  and  reviving  the  spirits  of  the  people.  Several 
of  his  scouting  parties  also  returned  with  good  success.  At- 
tached to  the  rifle  corps,  under  Captain  Long,  were  several  bold 
spirits,  who  signalized  themselves  so  greatly  in  the  partisan 
warfare  in  which  they  were  engaged,  that  many  of  their  ex- 
ploits are  freshly  remembered  among  the  inhabitants  of  Scho- 
harie to  this  day.  Of  this  number  were  David  Iillerson,  and  a 
Virginian  named  Murphy.  The  first  expedition  of  Captain 
Long  was  directed  to  the  valley  of  the  Charlotte  river — one  of 
the  upper  tributaries  of  the  Susquehanna,  flowing  from  the 
mountains  south  of  Schoharie.  The  object  was  to  arrest  and 
bring  to  the  fort  a  conspicuous  Tory  living  upon  that  stream, 
named  Service.  His  house  being  a  point  of  rendezvous  and 
supply  for  the  Tory  and  Indian  scouts,  it  was  desirable  that  it 
should  be  broken  up.  While  on  his  way  to  the  place  of  desti- 
nation, it  was  the  good  fortune  of  Captain  Long  to  intercept  a 
company  of  Tories,  enlisted  for  the  King's  service,  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Catskill,  by  a  Captain  Smith,  who  were  then  on 
their  way  to  join  Sir  John  Johnson  at  Niagara.  Smith  was 
killed  by  the  simultaneous  shots  of  Elerson  and  his  Captain — 
they  being  a  few  rods  in  advance  at  the  moment  when  the  Tory 
leader  emerged  at  the  head  of  his  men  from  a  thicket.  Hib 
followers  fled  in  every  direction.  They  had  intended  to  lodge 
that  night  with  Service  ;  but  that  unfortunate  man  had  guests 
of  quite  another  character.  While  unapprised  of  danger,  his 
house  was  surrounded  by  the  troops  of  Long,  when  in  an  in- 
stant Murphy  and  Elerson  rushed  in,  and  made  him  a  prisoner. 
Having  been  informed  that  he  must  accompany  them  to  Scho- 
harie, on  leaving  his  house  he  seized  au  axe  standing  by  the 
door,  which  he  poised,  and  directed  for  a  blow  at  the  head  of 
Murphy.  The  latter  was  too  quick-sighted  to  receive  it ;  but 
as  he  sprang  aside  to  avoid  the  descending  weapon,  Service  fell 
dead  from  the  rifle  of  Elerson. 
After  hit)  term  of  enlistment  had  expired,  Murphy  remained 
*  Letter  of  Wasliington  to  Qeneral  SfArk. 


1778.] 


AFFAIRS    AT    FORT    SCIIUYLRR. 


357 


ii 


in  Schoharie,  and  made  war  on  his  own  account.  He  was  as 
remarkable  for  his  fleetness,  as  for  his  courp~'>  and  s:reat  pre- 
cision in  firing.  He  used  a  double-barrel  lea  .  .flc ;  and  the  fact 
of  his  frequently  firing  twice  in  succession,  without  stopping  to 
load,  and  always  bringing  down  his  man,  rendered  him  a  ter- 
ror to  the  Indians.  Not  knowing  the  peculiar  construction  of 
his  rifle,  they  were  impressed  with  the  belief  that  it  was  a 
charmed  weapon,  and  supposed  he  could  continue  firing  as 
long  and  as  often  as  he  pleased  without  loading  at  all.  He 
fought  the  savages  after  their  own  fashion — was  more  than 
their  equal  in  stratagem  or  with  his  heels — and  the  greater  the 
apparent  danger  he  was  encountering,  the  greater  was  his  de- 
light. When  he  had  opportunity,  he  took  pattern  of  the  In- 
dians in  scalping  those  who  fell  by  his  unerring  aim ;  and  it 
was  said  that  he  killed  forty  of  their  warriors  with  his  own 
hands. 

Colonel  Gansevoort  yet  remained  in  the  coinmand  of  Fort 
Schuyler,  and  was  continued  there  during  nearly  the  whole 
year,  although,  wearied  by  inaction,  Willett,  and  others  of  his 
ofiicers,  made  a  strong  and  formal  effo-t  to  be  relieved,  that 
their  regiment  might  have  an  opportunity  to  distinguish  them- 
selves in  the  field  with  the  main  army.  At  Fort  Schuyler 
they  could  have  little  else  to  do  than  observe  the  motions  of  the 
enemy  on  the  lakes  and  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  to  watch,  and 
occasionally  cut  off,  a  hostile  party  when  venturing  too  near 
the  garrison.  But  from  the  correspondence  of  the  oflicers,  it 
would  appear  that  the  troops  of  the  garrison  must  have  been 
the  severest  sufferers  from  this  petty  mode  of  warfare,  since  the 
enemy  seemed  ever  to  be  hovering  in  the  precincts,  ready  to 
bring  down  or  carry  into  captivity  such  straggling  soldiers  as 
ventured  beyond  musket-shot  from  the  fort.* 


.f   1 


ft 


1'^ 


I: 


•  As  an  example  of  these  individual  murders,  the  followin*  passage  is  copird 
from  a  MS.  letter  from  Major  Robert  Cochran  to  Colonel  Gansevoort,  dated  Sept. 
8,  1778.  During  the  occasional  ahsenccri  of  Colontl  Gansevoort,  Mojor  Cochran 
was  in  command  of  the  post: — "This  morning,  Renjamin  Acker,  of  Captain  Do 
Witt's  company,  who  was  out  in  the  meadow,  was  killed  and  scalped  by  a  party  of 
Indians,  who  were  seen  and  fired  at  by  the  sentinel  near  Brodack's  house.  I  heard 
the  firing  in  my  room,  and  ran  to  the  officer  of  the  guord  to  know  what  was  the 
matter.  I  was  informed  that  a  party  of  Indians  had  fired  upon  one  of  our  men  who 
had  gone  to  catch  a  horso,  and  that  ho  had  either  been  killed  or  taken  priionor.  I 
ordered  Captain  Bleecker  to  go  out  immediately,  with  the  guard  just  parading,  to  sco 


,-fl' 


i>' 


4' 


358 


LIFE   OP    BRANT. 


1778. 


Early  in  July,  Lieutenant  M'Clellan,  an  active  and  efficient 
officer,  was  sent  with  a  small  party  to  destroy  the  buildings  and 
public  works  at  Oswego,  which  it  was  ascertained  were  not  at 
that  moment  in  the  occupation  of  the  enemy.  The  object  of 
the  expedition  was  accomplished  and  the  buildings  where  burnt 
to  the  ground,  together  with  a  quantity  of  ammunition,  pro- 
visions, and  other  public  stores.  It  seems  unaccountable  that 
this  post  should  have  been  left  thus  wholly  unprotected  ;  the 
only  occupants  found  by  the  American  party  being  a  woman 
and  her  children,  and  a  lad  fourteen  years  old.  1  he  woman 
and  her  family,  together  with  her  furniture  and  a  suitable 
supply  of  provisions,  were  placed  in  an  out-building,  and  left 
without  farther  molestation.  The  boy  was  brought  off  as  a 
prisoner,  and  furnished  some  important  information  touching 
the  movements  of  the  enemy  between  their  island  rendezvous 
in  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  Niagara.* 

But  Colonel  Gansevoort  had  some  serious  troubles  to  en- 
counter within  the  garrison,  and  some  painful  duties  to  execute. 
Nothwithstanding  the  high  character  which  the  forces  consti- 
tuting the  garrison  had  acquired,  and  the  sound  patriotism  of 
his  officers,  the  spirit  of  disaffection  appeared  among  them  in 
the  Spring,  and  the  early  part  of  the  Summer,  to  an  alarming 
extent.  Distant  as  was  the  post  of  Fort  Schuyler  from  New- 
York,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  had  suc(  jeded  in  the  introduction  of 
an  emissary  within  the  fort,  in  the  chaiacter  of  a  recruit.  His 
name  was  Samuel  Geake.  He  was  an  American  soldier,  and 
had  been  corrupted  while  a  prisoner  in  New- York,  whence  he 
was  sent  forth,  in  company  with  Major  Hammell,  also  an  Ame- 
rican prisoner,  whose  virtue  yielded  to  the  all-subduing  power 
of  gold.t     Geake  accompanied  Hammell  to  Poughkeepsie, 

if  he  could  find  him  dead  or  alive.  They  found  Acker  lying  dead.  He  was  scalped, 
and  a  weapon  about  two  feet  and  a  half  long,  like  this  " — [here  Major  Cochran  gave 
t  drawing  of  the  instrument — a  war  club,  with  a  blade  like  the  spear  of  a  lance  in- 
serted in  the  side,  noar  the  upper  end  of  it,] — "lying  near  him.  This  lance-head 
had  been  stuck  several  times  in  his  body.  It  is  supposed  to  have  been  left  behind 
on  purpose,  as  there  were  several  marks  on  it,  denoting  the  numberof  persons  killed 
and  scalps  taken  by  the  means  of  it," — [Captain  Bleecker  mentioned  in  the  forego- 
ing extract,  is  the  venerable  Leonard  Bleecker,  yet  living  at  Sing  Sing.  He  was  a 
very  active  and  efficient  officer  at  Fort  Schuyler  for  a  long  time.] 

•  MS.  draft  of  a  letter  from  Colonel  Gansevoort  to  General  Stark,  July  10, 1778. 

t  Hammell  was  Brigade-major  to  General  James  Clinton,  and  had  been  taken  by 
Sir  Ht-'nry  Clinton  at  the  storming  of  Fort  Montgomery.    According  to  Geftke'n 


l^ 


1778.] 


AFFAIRS  AT  PORT  BCV    YLER. 


359 


ilew- 

>n  of 

His 

and 

:e  he 

ime- 

)wer 


|alped, 
gave 

Ice  in- 
■head 
ehind 
liiled 
rego- 


\ 


where,  in  furtherance  of  his  iniquitous  designs,  he  enUsted  4 
Captain  Abraham  Swartwout's  company,*  and  was  transfer  d 
to  Fort  Schuyler,  to  join  Colonel  Oansevoort's  regiment  o 
which  place,  for  specific  objects,  he  was  instructed  to  insinuate 
himself  by  an  aid- de-camp  of  Sir  Henry  Clinton.  After  Hani"- 
mell's  arrest,  Colonel  Varick  wrote  to  Gansevoortj  putting  him 
on  his  guard  as  to  the  charaicter  of  Geake.  A  sergeant  named 
Kartele  was  employed  by  Colonel  Gansevoort  to  ingratiate 
himself  in  Geake's  confidence^  and,  if  possible,  ascertain  his 
true  character,  c  id  penetrate  his  designs.  The  commission 
was  successfully  executed  by  the  sergeant,  and  the  whole  cir- 
cumstances of  Hammell's  employment  by  the  enemy,  and  his 
own,  were  elicited.  Geake  was  thereupon  arrested,  but  not 
until  he  had  made  great  progress  in  his  designs,  and  was  on 
the  eve  of  desertion,  for  the  purpose  of  joining  the  British  army 
in  Philadelphia.  He  was  tried  by  a  court-martial,  made  a  full 
confession,  and,  with  his  confederates,  was  sentenced  to  death.t 
The  sentence  was  not  carried  into  execution  against  Geake, 
not  only  because  the  constitution  of  the  court  was  irregular, 
but  because  of  the  desire  of  the  Commander-in-chief  to  spare 
him  as  a  witness  against  Hammell,  as  will  presently  appean 
The  following  documents  will  complete  this  section  of  the  pro* 
ceedings  at  Fort  Schuyler  :— 

confession,  Hammell  was  fimplo^ed  In  llie  commissary  of  prisoners'  department 
by  the  British  officers  in  Ncw'York,  before  he  was  sent  out  upon  his  mission  of 
treason.  General  James  Clinton,  by  the  way,  was  not  taken  at  Fort  Montgomery) 
as  stated  in  the  text  account  of  that  afluir.  Though  wounded,  he  escaped  ;  although 
his  brother,  the  Governor,  supposed  him  to  be  a  prisoner,  when  he  wrote  his  official 
account  to  the  Committee  of  Safety. 

♦  Captain  Swartwout  was  with  Gansevoort  at  the  siege  of  Fort  Schuyler,  and 
gave  his  cloth  cloak  to  form  the  blue  stripes  of  the  flag  spoken  of  in  the  account 
of  the  siege,  as  being  made  up  for  the  occasion. 

t  These  facts  have  been  gathered  from  the  proceeding?  of  the  coilrt-martial,  pre- 
served among  General  Oansevoort's  pnpersv  The  president  of  the  court  was  Cap* 
tain  Gregg,  who  had  been  shot,  tomahawked,  and  scalped,  the  year  before.  Ac» 
cording  to  Geake's  confession,  Hammell  was  promised  a  Colonelcy  of  a  new  Irish 
regiment  to  be  raised  from  deserters  from  tlie  American  army,  and  such  others  as 
they  could  enlist.  Geake  was  to  receive  a  commission  as  lieutenant.  His  mission 
to  Fort  Schuyler  was  to  acquire  accurate  knowledge  of  its  strength  and  (he 
extent  of  its  supplies — to  induce  as  many  of  the  garrison  to  desert  as  f  oesibic — and 
to  spike  the  cannon  on  Utcir  departure. 

'^  50 


n 


360 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1778 


i;f 


..if 


li 


'i.!rl^ 


Colonel  Gansevoort  to  General  Washington. 

«  Fort  Schuyler,  August  13,  1778. 
"Sir, 

"I  have  the  unhappiness  to  inform  your  Excellency  that 
desertion  has  lately  been  very  frequent  from  this  garrison. 
Since  the  26th  of  last  March  we  have  had  three  sergeants,  two 
corporals,  and  twenty  privates  desert  from  this  battalion,  besides 
one  bombardier,  one  gunner,  and  one  other  from  the  artillery. 
Before  the  date  above  mentioned,  several  soldiers  had  been 
tried  by  a  general  Court  Martial  at  this  garrison  for  desertion, 
but  never  received  the  punishment  due  their  crimes.  Tne  sen- 
tences of  these  different  courts  martial  were  carefully  sent  to 
the  commanding  General  of  this  Department,*  but  no  returns 
have  been  ever  received.  Some  time  in  June  last.  Colonel 
Varick  informed  me  that  a  recruit,  who  had  just  joined  our  bat- 
talion, was  suspected  of  being  a  confederate  with  Major  Hara- 
mell.  I  ordered  his  conduct  to  be  narrowly  inspected.  He 
was  detected  in  the  fact  of  corrupting  and  enticing  the  soldiers 
to  desert.  Upon  being  apprehended,  he  confessed  that  he  came 
upon  such  designs,  and  was  sent  by  an  aid-de-camp  of  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  as  a  spy — to  endeavor  to  enlist  what  Irishmen 
he  could  from  the  American  army.  There  was  every  appear- 
ance ofhis  being  a  spy.  He  was  immediately  tried  by  a  gene- 
ral court  martial — the  sentence  was  directly  sent  down  for  ap- 
probation, but  no  answer  has  been  received,  and  the  man  still 
lies  confined  in  irons. 

"  Finding  the  spirit  of  desertion  to  increase,  and  the  men  in 
general  to  be  exceeding  uneasy, — probably  arising  from  their 
being  so  long  stationed  on  this  frontier  post.  They  have  been 
frequently  heard  in  their  private  conversations  to  say  that  they 
would  sooner  di  j  than  stay  here  the  ensuing  winter.  My  of- 
ficers, as  well  as  myself,  were  convinced,  that  unless  some  ex- 
ample was  made,  we  should  not  be  able  to  check  this  growing 
evil.  A  party  of  five  men  deserted  on  the  lOlh  of  August. 
They  were  taken  by  the  Tuscarora  Indians,  on  their  way  to 
Canada,  fifty  miles  from  this  fort.  They  were  brought  in  on 
the  13th.  A  general  court  martial  was  convened  on  the  15th. 
They  were  sentenced  to  die.     The  officers  in  a  body  desired 


*•  General  Stark  was  then  in  command  at  Albany. 


1778 


1778,] 


AFFAIRS    AT   FORT    SCHUYLER. 


361 


7S. 

'  that 
rison. 
5,  two 
asides 
illery. 

been 
rtion, 
e  sen- 
ent  to 
jturns 
olonel 
ir  bat- 
Hara- 
.  He 
)ldiers 

came 
of  Sir 
jhmen 
ppear- 

gene- 
or  ap- 

II  still 

len  ill 
their 
been 
t  they 
^yof- 
ne  ex- 
owing 
igust. 
ay  to 
in  on 
I5th. 
esired 


their  immediate  execution,  as  the  only  way  effectually  to  stop 
the  increasing  spirit  of  desertion, 

"While  these  men  were  under  sentence  of  death,  a  party  re- 
turned from  the  German  Flatts,  who  had  been  to  drive  cattle 
to  this  garrison.  They  had  lost  six  men  by  desertion,  who 
were  pursued,  but  without  effect.  This,  together  with  the 
above  reasons,  and  being  apprehensive  of  some  design  of  the 
enemy,  and  hearing  a  report  which  they  had  carefully  spread 
among  the  savages,  of  having  upward  of  seventy  men  enlisted 
in  this  garrison,  who  would  rise  upon  their  appearance,  con- 
vinced me  of  the  necessity  of  a  rigid  example,  and  resolved  me 
to  take  the  advice  of  my  officers  by  ordering  the  prisoners  to 
be  executed.  They  were  accordingly  shot  at  the  head  of  the 
regiment  on  the  17th.*  In  doing  of  which,  although  I  could 
not  find  that  the  articles  of  war  gave  me  the  fullest  authority, 
yet,  as  commanding  officer  of  a  frontier  post,  far  distant  from 
the  Commander  in-chief,  and  having  a  separate  commission 
from  Congress  as  commandant  of  this  post.  I  ccasidered  myself 
fully  empowered  in  a  case  of  such  great  necessity.  I  hope 
your  Excellency  will  be  convinced  of  this  necessity,  and  ap- 
prove of  the  justness  of  the  execution.  Inclosed  your  Excel- 
lency has  a  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  the  court  martial.  I 
am,  <kc." 

General  Washington  to  Colonel  Gansevoort. 

"  Head-  Quarters,  White  Plains,  ) 
"  29th  August,  1778.      ) 

^'SlR. 

"  I  have  just  received  your  favor  of  the  13th  instant.  In- 
closed is  a  copy  of  a  letter  sent  you  some  time  ago  respecting 
the  court  martial  you  transmitted. 

"  The  spirit  of  desertion  which  possessed  your  soldiers,  was 
certainly  very  alarming,  and  required  a  serious  check.  I  hope 
the  intention  of  the  example  you  have  made  will  be  fully  an- 
swered ;  and  although  the  proceeding  was  not  strictly  in  the 
prescribed  form,  yet  the  necessity  of  the  case  may  justify  the 
measure. 

*  Notwithstandin;^,  this  severe  example,  it  ia  noted  in  the  private  diary  of  Adju- 
tant Hutton,  ofCofonel  Ganaevoort'g  regiment,  that  on  the  same  day  on  which  these 
five  men  were  tried  and  sentenced  to  death,  six  others  deserted  ;  and  two  others  de> 
•erted  five  days  after  their  execution.— Ftde  GansevoorVs  papert. 


m 
ri 

««:]%        iri 

If:'' 
I. 


. » 


i'l,  II 


3612 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[177a 


J' 


vd 


'1 


"  I  have  spoken  to  Lieut.  Colonel  Willett  on  the  application 
of  the  officers  of  the  garrison.  It  is  impossible  to  comply  at 
present  with  their  request,  things  are  so  circumstanced — but 
I  shall  take  steps  to  relieve  it  before  winter.* 

"I  am,  sir,  your  obedient,  humble  serv't* 
"  Geo.  Washington.'" 
"  Col.  Gansevom't.^^t 

^he  position  of  Fort  Schuyler  was  of  the  first  importance*  . 
as  the  key  to  the  western  entrance  of  the  Mohawk  country ;  but 
it  was  nevertheless  too  remote  from  the  upper  German  settle- 
ments of  the  valley,  to  afford  them  protection  from  sudden  ir- 
ruptions of  the  enemy  avoiding  that  fortress  in  their  approach. 
The  consequence  was,  that  the  work  of  destruction  was  actively 
prosecuted  among  the  settlements  referred  to,  during  the  .Sum- 
mer of  this  year.  The  first  blow  was  struck  upon  a  small  unci 
rather  secluded  hamlet,  called  Andrus4own,  situated  aboiU  six 
miles  south-east  of  the  Gorman  Flatts,t  on  the  IStii  of  July,  by 
a  small  party  of  Indians  led  by  Brant  in  person.  This  settle- 
ment consisted  of  seven  families,  planted  upon  a  lot  oi  on© 

*  InNovnmber  following,  GmiHevoorl's  command  wua  relieved  by  Colonel  Guiso 
Van  Schaick,  whoso  regiment  was  uasigned  to  that  |H)8t. 

t  These  letters  have  heoii  ropied  by  the  aiitlior  from  tlio  originiils,  The  endo 
•uro  nwiUioned  in  the  above  ititter  '"roni  General  Woshington  raids  as  follows: — 


[Copy.] 


"SiH, 


"  lhnd-(lmrtfr.i,  While  Plaius, 
".luSHst  13,  1778. 


•'  I  hnvo  rrcoivod  tho  procoodingii  of  a  coitrt-martinl  held  by  your  order,  respecting 
Samuel  Geako.  As  neither  tho  articles  of  war,  nor  any  resolveii  of  Congress,  au- 
thorise tho  coniiitituting  of  general  courts-martial  by  ony  other  than  the  Commander 
in-chief,  tho  commanding  ofiicor  of  a  separate  department,  or  a  general  ofticer  com. 
manding  in  a  particidar  S'rite,  I  siiould  have  bcon  under  the  necessity  of  ordering  a 
second  trial,  and  appointing  a  court  Rir  tiio  purpose,  if  it  hiid  hern  judged  expedient 
to  bring  Geako  to  punisiiment.  But  as  his  confcHsion  contains  information  very 
pointedly  aguinst  Major  I  lammell,  which  concurs  with  other  accounts  I  have  rt^ceivixl, 
I  think  it  of  more  importance  to  tho  public  to  save  Grake,  as  ii  witness  against  Mam- 
mell,  than  to  make  an  example  of  him.  You  will  therefore  keep  him  in  suuli  a  kind 
of  confinontont  as  will  eflfbctually  prevent  his  escape,  till  mutters  are  ripe  for  tho 
prosecution  of  Major  Flammell,  and  at  the  same  lime  will  be  as  little  rigorous  as  lira 
nature  of  the  case  will  admit.  11*- need,  however  know  notliing  of  my  intention. 
I  am,  kc. 

•^Gko^  Waiiiinqtoin."' 
♦'  Col.  Ganinvoort," 

X  In  th«  Nortlt  part  of  Uia  present  town  of  Warren. 


'i 

i 


''^ill 


1778.J 


DESTRUCTION  OP  GERMAN  FLATTS. 


363 


>1  Quiao 


on  very 

^coivwl, 

IIuill' 

|i  a  kind 

for  the 

Is  ai  IIm 

Itontion. 


) 


thousand  acres.*  They  were  in  affluent  circumstances  for 
borderers,  and  the  object  of  tbe  invasion  was  phuider.  The 
settlement  was  utterly  destroyed — every  thing  of  value  that 
could  be  removed,  was  carried  away — the  houses  and  other 
buildings  were  reduced  to  ashes — an  aged  man  named  Bell,  with 
his  son  and  two  others,  was  killed — one  other  inhabitant 
perished  in  the  flames  of  his  own  house — and  the  remainder  of 
the  little  colony  were  carried  into  captivity.  Advices  of  this 
catastrophe  had  no  sooner  reached  the  Flatts,  than  a  party  of 
tesolute  Whigs  determined  to  pursue  the  marauders,  among 
whom  was  John  Frank,  one  of  the  Committee  of  Safety.t  Ar- 
riving at  the  scene  of  desolation,  they  hastily  buried  the  dead, 
and  continued  their  march,  accompanied  by  six  or  seven 
frieiidiy  Indians,  to  the  liitt'e  Lakes,!  where,  also,  was  a  small 
white  colony  known  as  "  Young's  Setllemont,"  from  the  name 
of  its  founder.  Here  it  was  discovered  that  the  enemy  was  so  far 
in  advance,  that  the  chase  was  relinquished.  But  as  Young, 
the  head  man  of  the  settlement,  was  a  Tory,  as  also  was  his 
next  neighbor,  a  man  named  CoUyer,  the  exasperated  Whigs 
avenged,  to  a  small  extent,  the  destruction  of  Andrus-town,  by 
plundering  and  burning  their  habitations. 

But  the  most  considerable  event  of  the  season  in  that  vicinity, 
wns  the  entire  destrnction  of  the  comparatively  extensive  and 
populous  settlement  of  the  German  Flatts.  This  settlement, 
originiilly  called  Biu'iietsfield,  from  the  circumt-tance  that  the 
patent  had  lieen  granted  by  Governor  Bnrnet,  extended  over 
the  richest  and  most  beautiful  section  of  the  Mohawk  Valley, 
comprehending  the  broad  alluvial  lands  directly  beyond  the 
junction  of  the  West  Canada  creek  and  the  river,  and  inclnd- 
ing  abont  ten  miNis  of  the  valley  from  oast  to  west.  Midway 
of  the  settlement,  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  yet  stands  the 
ancient  stone  church,  tho  westernmost  of  the  lino  of  those 
strncturos  built  mider  the  auspices  of  Sir  William  Johnson. 

♦  Tho  nmm'8  of  tho  proiiriutoM  woro  Dull,  Frank,  Oowliirhoudt,  Crim,  Staring, 
Lt'p|>or,  nnil  II oyer. 

t  John  Frank,  F.ki|,  yot  n  n>in(lont  of  Omnan  Flattd,  vnry  old,  but  with  mpntol 
fttciillioft  (iniinpnirwl.  The  nntlior  has  known  him  thoBO  twonty-fivc  ynnrii,  nnd  in 
Hoplunibor,  1S:J7,  paid  hint  o  vi^-il.  Mcmt  of  thn  Intbrmatioii  re«pcctJng  th«  cventi 
now  iintnttliotnly  undor  (jonnideralion,  is  dorivml  from  him. 

\  Two  Nmall  lukci  in  tho  South-east  part  of  tlio  town  of  Warron,  diauharging 
tliuir  watora  into  Otiogo  Lake. 


li 


*# 


i/T'fl 


flT^" 


'364* 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1778. 


A  short  distance  west  of  the  church  stood  the  large  and  mas- 
sive-built stone  mansion  of  the  Herkimer  family,  which,  like 
the  church  itself,  was  used  as  a  fort.*  Hence  it  was  called  Fort 
Herkimer.  On  the  north  side  of  the  river,  upon  a  gravelly- 
plain,  elevated  some  ten  or  fifteen  feet  above  the  surrounding 
flatts,  stood  Fort  Dayton. t 

At  the  time  of  which  we  are  writing,  the  settlement  on  the 
south  side  of  the  river  numbered  thirty-ibur  dwelling-houses, 
uiid  there  were  about  an  equal  number  upon  the  north  side, 
together  with  as  many  barns  and  other  out-buildings,  and 
several  mills.  The  population,  for  the  number  of  houses,  was 
numerous.  The  lands,  rich  by  nature,  and  well  cultivated, 
had  that  year  brought  forth  by  handfuls  ;  so  that  the  barns 
were  amply  stored  with  their  products. 

It  was  at  the  close  of  August,or  early  in  the  month  of  Septem- 
ber, that  this  fine  district  was  laid  waste  by  the  Indians  under  the 
direction  of  Brant.  Most  providentially,  however,  the  invasion 
was  attended  with  the  loss  of  but  two  lives — one  man  being 
killed  outright,  and  another,  named  M'Ginnis,  perished  in  the 
flames.  The  particulars  of  this  hostile  irruption  were  these  : — 
FiUtertaining  some  suspicions  of  Brant,  who  was  at  Unadilla, 
a  scout  of  four  men  had  been  despatched  into  that  vicinity  for 
observation.  Three  of  these  men  were  killed  at  the  Edmeston 
settlement.  The  fourth,  .John  Helmer,  succeeded  in  making 
his  escape,  and  returned  to  the  flatts  at  half  an  hour  before  sun- 
down, just  in  time  to  announce  that  Brant,  with  a  large  body 
of  Indians,  \/as  advancing,  and  would,  in  a  few  hours,  be  upon 
them.     All  was,  of  course,  terror  and  alarm  through  the  settlc- 


\  •'' 


*  It  wn«  .it  thio  pi  irp  timt  iho  first  IJhcrty  Pole  in  tho  vnllcy  wnn  rpnrcd,  in  the 
Spring  of  1775.  The  nhoiifTor  Tryoii  r\iiinty,  Whito,  with  vvliono  Huhnoqiirnt  iiia- 
tary  tlio  rcndor  iei  niniuly  nnpininlcd,  cum«  up  to  thn  fliittH  with  a  lar<ro  htnly  o( 
militiii  from  JuiiiiRtown,  and  cut  it  ilown.  White  hod  hocn  a  ciiptain  in  the  Frcncli 
war. 

t  Thf  prMonf  n\tn  of  the  vilingn  nf  H'rliim  r,  in  tho  town  of  Ihn  «nme  nnmo,  and 
ono  of  the  most  hi'niitifiii  locnhtie-n  in  Amfrirn,  Tim  imnin  of  Oortnnn  tTlnnii  won 
donigncd  i()r  tiiiH  town,  wliicli  wonid  Imvn  hocn  thi!  nioit  appropriate,  nfl  llerkiinor 
wnnid  have  ho«n  for  tlio  town  on  thn  loiitli  oiiUi  of  tho  river,  now  cHlled  Oerninn 
t'lnttn,  where  the  tlittH  nre  fur  h'six  exieiifiive,  and  when<  tlui  llerkinier  family 
rn^ideil.  The  iniitniie  wan  made  hv  the  leKiilatiiro  when  the  towna  were  nanuMl, 
Thin  explanation,  tn<iether  with  the  |g;eogrnphieal  deaeription  in  the  teit,  ii  nnceaaary 
to  |>L-event  ronfiiNJnn  in  regard  tu  tho  luuulilioi  uf  Fori!  Daylun  and  llurliiinar,  in 
Ui«  record  ufaubic(|Ueut  evunti. 


1778.] 


DESTRUCTION  OF  GERMAN  FLATTS. 


3G5 


and 


\ 


ment;  find  the  inhabitants— men,  women,  and  children — wcrn 
gathered  into  Forts  Dayton  and  Herkimer  for  security.  In 
flying  to  those  defences,  tliey  gathered  up  the  most  vahiable  of 
their  stuff,  and  by  means  of  boats  and  canoes  upon  the  river, 
succeeded,  in  the  course  of  the  evening,  in  collecting  a  largo 
portion  of  their  best  articles  of  furniture.  But  they  had  no 
time  to  look  after  their  flocks  and  herds. 

Early  in  the  evening  Brunt  arrived  at  the  edge  of  the  settle- 
ment, but  as  the  night  came  on  excessively  dark  and  rainy,  he 
halted  with  his  for  es  in  a  ravine,  near  the  house  of  his  Tory 
friend  Shoemaker  where  the  younger  Butler  and  his  party 
were  captured  tin  preceding  year.  Here  the  chieftain  lay 
with  his  warriors  luitil  the  storm  broke  away  toward  morning 
— unconscious  that  his  approach  liad  been  notified  to  the  peo- 
ple by  the  scout  in  season  to  enable  them  to  escape  the  blow 
of  his  uplifted  arm.  Before  the  dawn  he  was  on  foot,  and  his 
warriors  were  sweeping  throtigh  the  settlement;  sothal  the  torch 
might  be  almost  simultaneously  applied  to  every  building  it 
contained.  Just  as  the  day  was  l)reaking  in  the  east,  the  fires 
were  kindled,  and,  the  whole  section  of  the  valUiy  was  speedily 
ilhmiinated  by  the  flames  of  houses  and  barns,  and  all  things 
else  combustible.  The  spectacle,  to  the  people  in  the  forts, 
was  one  of  melancholy  grandeur.  Every  family  saw  the 
flames  and  smoke  of  its  own  domicil  ascending  to  the  sliies, 
and  every  farmer  the  whole  product  of  his  lal)or  for  the  season 
dissolving  into  ashes. 

I'aving  no  fire-arms  larger  than  their  rifles,  the  Indians 
avoided  even  a  demonstrjition  against  the  forts,  notwithstanding 
their  chagrin  that  neither  scalps  nor  prisoners  were  to  grace 
their  triump)).  But  as  the  light  of  day  advanc(!d,  their  warriors 
were  seen  singly,  or  in  small  groups,  scouring  tlie  fij'Ids,  and 
driving  away  all  the  horses,  sheep,  atid  black  cattle  that  could 
l)e  found.  Nothing  upon  which  they  could  lay  their  hands 
was  le!"t;  and  the  seltlemcnt,  which,  but  the  day  belbre,  for  ten 
miles  had  smiled  in  plenty  and  in  beiuity,  was  now  houseless 
and  destitute.*     Happi'V)  I'owever,  of  human  life  there  was  no 


If 


h\l 


^•'<i 


» 


•  Tin'  RnniPmlirnncrr  nMrn  tlwit  llioro  worn  G'J  (IwiHinn-liouprR,  .^7  l)iirnii,  3 
((rixt-niilU,  nnd  two  miw-millM  ttiimt,  with  iiiomI  of  llin  riirnitiiro  nod  sriiiti  kept 
tliiTfin ;  and  SIS  liorm'H,  'iW  linmi  (l-<iiUlr,  '.>(51t  ulirop,  niid  !tH  iixon,  lnlu-ii  luui  tnr- 
ric'il  uwny,    Judgu  Frank  iiitjriiiod  lliii  uullior  lliat  lio  wai  u|ioti  gimrdon  lliuiiiuni* 


366 


LIPK   01'    BRWr. 


[1778. 


I,  t 


!iJH| 


\ 


I        ' 


greater  sacrifice  than  has  aheady  been  mentioned.  After  the 
Indians  had  decamped  with  their  booty,  a  force  of  between 
three  and  four  hundred  militia-men  collected,  and  went  in  pur* 
suit — following  as  far  as  Edmeston's  plantation  on  the  Una- 
dilla  river,  where  the  bodies  of  the  three  scouts  were  found  and 
buried.  But  no  other  results  attended  this  expedition.*  A  party 
of  the  Oneida  Indians  was  more  successful.  They  penetrated 
into  one  of  the  Unadilla  settlements,  burnt  several  liouses,  retook 
some  of  the  cattle  driven  from  the  German  Flatts,  and  brought 
olf  a  number  of  prisoners.  The  results  of  this  little  expedition 
were  communicated  to  Major  Cochran,  then  in  command  at 
Port  Schuyler,  on  or  about  the  25th  of  September,  by  a  depu- 
tation of  about  one  hundred  of  the  Oneida  and  Tuscarora  war- 
riors, in  the  following  speech : — 

"  Brothers  :  We  have  now  taken  the  hatchet  and  burnt 
tJnadilla,t  and  a  place  called  the  Butternuts.  We  have  brought 
five  prisoners  from  each  of  those  places.  Our  warriors  were 
particular  tliat  no  luirt  should  be  done  to  women  and  children. 
We  left  four  olu  men  behind,  who  were  no  more  able  to  go  to 
war.  We  have  re-taken  William  Dygcrt,  who  was  taken 
about  nine  weeks  ago  by  Brant  on  Fall  Hill.  We  now  deliver 
him, to  you,  so  that  he  may  return  to  his  friends.  Last  year 
we  took  up  the  hatchet  at  Stillwater,  and  we  will  now  continue 
it  in  our  hands.  The  Grasshopper,  one  of  the  Oneida  chiefs, 
took  to  liimself  one  of  the  prisoners  to  live  with  him  in  his  own 
family,  and  has  adopted  him  as  a  son. 

"  Broth KRB :  We  deliver  you  six  prisoners,  witli  whom  you 
are  to  act  as  you  please. 

iiiij  of  llu)  coiiniigration,  stiiiuling  upon  tho  corner  of  the  fort  (Herkimer,)  which 
a(r)rdc(l  him  the  htmt  view  uf  the  scene  wiion  tiie  flume*  hrokc  forth,  tie  alao  saw 
tiie  (tu8ky  HWiirin<4  of  ftaviijiri<B  runh  down  the  liill-Hlopen  into  the  meadows  after  the 
oattUi,  OB  Hoon  UR  it  wan  Rufliciuntly  hght  to  dincern  ohjects  with  tolerable  distinct* 
noBs.    The  whole  Bcene,  liu  suyn,  was  picturesque  and  sublime. 

*  "  Captain  G  ilbert  Tice  cuine  from  Niagara  a  fuw  days  before  Brant  sot  out  with 
hiH  party  to  destroy  the  German  Flatts.  lie  had  33  Indians  with  him,  mostly  Mo- 
hawks. Brunt's  whole  party  at  tlm  Onrman  Flatts  wos  300  Tories,  and  ir>2  In- 
dians. There  wore  no  regular  troops  amongst  them."— JMS.  Utter  qf  J\t(\jor  Cochran 
h  Colonel  Gimsevoorl,  Sqtt.  '28,  1 778. 

t  The  Indians  must  have  meant  one  of  the  upper  settlements  on  the  Unadilln, 
sumewbor''  between  the  Butternuts  and  the  "Forks," about Iwenly-live  miloB  north 
of  the  cmlMjuchure  nf  that  river  into  the  8us(|uohannn.  The  principal  town  of  tho 
ln<liuns  was  at  the  mouth  of  the  rivor,  und  wus  destroyed  two  or  three  weeks  aflur- 
ward  by  Colonel  Uutlor,  as  will  prosontly  appuur.  * 


M> 


[1778. 


1778.3 


EXPEDITION   OP   COLONEL    BUTLER. 


367 


"  Brothers  :  You  had  a  man  scalped  here  some  time  ago. 
We  Oneidas  and  Tuscaroras  have  now  taken  revenge,  and 
have  brought  you  some  slaves.  We  do  not  take  scalps.  We 
hope  you  are  now  convinced  of  our  friendship  to  you  and  your 
great  cause.  The  warriors  detain  two  of  the  prisoners  till  to- 
morrow morning.  The  Canasaragas  have  one  in  their  posses- 
sion.    Tliey  will  bring  him  to-morrow  or  the  next  day."* 

The  Oneidas,  with  very  few  exceptions,  were  ever  faithful 
to  the  cause  of  the  Whigs,  and  sometimes  fought  with  great 
personal  bravery.  The  Oriskany  clan  of  that  nation  joined 
General  Herkimer  on  the  morning  of  his  disastrous  battle, 
under  their  chiefs  Cornelius  and  Colonel  Honyerry,  and  sus- 
tained themselves  valiantly  in  that  murderous  conflict.! 

But  the  acquisitions  of  booty  by  the  Indians  at  the  German 
Flatts  were  more  than  counterbalanced,  a  (q\v  days  afterward, 
by  their  losses  in  their  own  chief  towns,  Unadilla  and  Ogh- 
kwagn,  which  were  invaded,  and  in  turn  laid  waste,  by  Colonel 
William  Butler,  with  the  4th  Pennsylvania  regiment,  a  detach- 
ment of  Colonel  Morgan's  rifle-men,  then  recently  stationed  at 
Schoharie,  as  we  have  already  seen,  and  a  corps  of  twenty 
rangers.  Having  marched  from  Schoharie  to  the  head  waters 
of  the  Delaware,  and  descended  that  stream  two  days'  march, 
Colonel  Butlor  struck  ofl"  thence  to  the  Susquehanna,  upon 
which  he  emerged  in  the  neighborhood  of  Unadilla.  He  ap- 
proached the  settlement  with  great  caution  ;  but  the  enemy  had 
left  the  place  several  days  before.  Two  of  the  white  set- 
tlers, Tories,  were  made  prisoners,  however,  one  of  whom  was 
compelled  to  guide  the  forces  of  Butler  to  Oghkwaga,  which 
service  lie  performed.  'IMie  town  was  taken  possession  of 
without  interruption,  the  Indians  having  fled  the  day  before  in 
the  greatest  confusion — leaving  behind  a  large  ([uantity  of  corn, 
t)ieir  dogs,  some  cattle,  and  a  great  part  of  their  household 
goods.  The  march  of  Butl(>r's  troops  had  been  fatiguing,  and 
the  vtigetables  and  poultry,  which  they  found  hero  in  great 
•\bundance,  enabled  them  to  faro  sumptuously  during  their 


k  ' 


t . 


i  I 

11 


i 


♦  MS.  rrport  of  Mujor  niK'hnin  to  Colonel  rjiinievonrf. 

f  TliiH  i'liut  wiifl  ilurivod  from  Jiulgo  Fruiik,  allor  tliu  chiiptor  containing  the  ac* 
count  of  tiio  bttltlo  of  OiiwUnny  waw  writton,  Honyerry,  or  lliin»jnrio  Tewnhon* 
grnhiion,  at)  hin  nani«  HtnndM  in  \\w  arrhivc<i  of  iho  war  departmont,  wai  commit 
siuned  a  captain  by  the  Board  of  War  in  177i>.  * 

6t 


368 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1778. 


i 


?.;| 


jif' 


stay.  The  town  was  uncommonly  well  built  for  an  Indian  settle- 
ment, there  being  a  considerable  number  of  good  farm-houses 
on  either  side  of  the  river.  These  were  all  destroyed,  together 
with  the  Indian  castle  three  miles  farther  down  the  river,  as  also 
large  quantities  of  provisions,  intended  for  their  winter's  supply. 
They  saw  nothing  of  the  enemy,  and  lost  only  one  man  at  that 
place,  who  was  shot  by  un  Indian  straggler  lurking  in  ambush. 
Returning  to  Unadilla,  that  settlement,  upon  both  sides  of  the 
river,  was  burnt,  as  also  a  grist-mill  and  saw-mill — the  only 
ones  in  the  Susquehanna  valley.* 

But  although,  so  far  as  fighting  was  concerned,  it  was  an 
easy  campaign,  still  the  difficulties  encountered  by  the  expedi- 
tion were  very  great,  and  such  as  could  not  have  been  under- 
gone but  by  men  " poss:osmg  a  large  share  of  hardiness,  both 
"  of  body  and  mind.  They  were  obliged  to  carry  their  provi- 
"  sions  on  their  backs ;  and,  thus  loaded,  frequently  to  ford 
"  creeks  and  rivers.  After  the  toils  of  hard  marches,  they  were 
"  obliged  to  camp  down  during  wet  and  chilly  nights  without 
"covering,  or  even  the  means  of  keeping  their  arms  dry."t 
They  completed  their  work  in  sixteen  days,  and  returned  to 
Schoharie.  But  the  Indians  were  not  slow  in  taking  their  re- 
venge for  this  destruction  of  their  towns.  An  Indian's  ven- 
geance slumbers  no  hmger  than  until  an  opportunity  is  afforded 
for  sating  it,  as  will  appear  in  the  ensuing  chapter. 


;fl 


*  Letter  or  Colonel  William  Butler  to  General  Stark. 


t  Ramsay. 


iU 


[1778. 


Cti AFTER  XVII. 


*.,'i 

:''l; 

i! 


Walter  N.  Butler — His  flight  from  Albany,  bent  on  revenge — The  Great  Tree- 
Hostile  indication?  among  the  Senccas  and  Cayugas — Premonitions  of  an  attack 
by  Butler  and  Brant  upon  Cherry  Valley — Discredited  by  Colonel  Alden — Scouts 
sent  out  and  captured — Surprise  of  the  town — Massacre  and  burning — Death  of 
Colonel  Alden — Families  of  Mr.  Wells,  Mr.  Dunlop,  and  others — Brutality  of  the 
Tories — Family  of  Mr.  Mitchell — The  monster  Newberry — Departure  of  the 
enemy  with  their  captives — A  night  of  gloom — Women  and  children  sent  back- 
Letter  of  Butler  to  Gen.  Schuyler — Murder  of  Mrs.  Campbell's  mother — Vindi- 
cation of  Brant — Interesting  incident — Brant's  opinion  of  Capt  M'Kcan — Colo- 
nel John  Butler  laments  the  conduct  of  his  son — Letter  of  General  James  Clinton 
to  Walter  Butler — Letter  of  Butler  in  reply — Molly  Brant — Particulars  of  Mrs. 
Campbell's  rnptivity — Feast  of  thanksgiving  for  their  \  cfory — The  great  feast  of 
the  White  Dogs — Return  of  Walter  Butler  from  dueheo— Colonel  Butler  negotiates 
with  the  Indians  for  Mrs.  Campbell — She  goes  to  Niagara— Catharine  Montour 
and  her  sons — Mrs.  Campbell  finds  her  children — Descends  the  St.  Lawrence  to 
Montreal — Meets  Mrs.  Butler — Arrives  at  Albany,  and  is  joined  by  her  husband 
— Grand  campaign  projected — Jacob  Helmer  and  others  sent  privately  to  Johns- 
town for  the  iron  chest  of  Sir  John — Execution  of  Helmer — Arrival  of  British 
Commissioners — Not  received — Exchange  of  Minis ters  with  France — Incidents 
of  the  war  elsewhere  for  the  year. 

The  arrest  of  Walter  N.  Butler,  at  the  German  Flatts,  in  the 
Summer  of  1777  ;  his  trial,  and  condemnation  to  death  ;  his  re- 
prieve ;  as  also  his  subsequent  imprisonment  in  Albany,  and 
his  escape ;  are  facts  with  which  the  reader  has  already  been 
made  acquainted.  Although  his  execution  would  have  been 
perfectly  justifiable  under  the  code  miliiaire,  taken,  as  he  had 
been,  within  the  American  lines,  in  the  very  act  of  inviting  the 
people  to  treason  ;  yet  the  respectability  of  his  family,  and  the 
associations  he  had  himself  formed  in  Albany,  where  he  had 
been  educated  to  the  profession  of  the  law,  were  the  causes, 
through  the  interposition  ot  those  who  had  been  his  personal 
friends  before  the  war,  of  saving  his  life.  Still,  the  reprieve 
granted  by  General  Arnold  was  followed  by  rigorous  confine- 
ment in  the  jail  at  Albany  until  tlie  Spring  of  the  present  year ; 
when,  being  either  sick  in  reality,  or  feigning  to  be  so,  through 
the  clemency  of  General  Lafayette  his  quarters  were  changed 
to  a  private  house,  where  he  was  guarded  by  a  single  sentinel. 
It  appears  that  the  family  with  whom  he  lodged  were  Tories 
at  heart ;  and  having  succeeded  in  making  the  sentinel  drunk, 
through  their  assistance  Butler  was  enabled  to  effect  his  escape, 
A  horse  having  been  provided  for  him,  he  succeeded  in  joining 
his  father  at  Niagara  soon  after  the  affair  at  Wyoming.    His 


'J  j 

t 


i". 


/n 


■11 


ii 


'tf' 


^if 


370 


LIFE    OF   BRANT. 


[1778 


hf: 


"i    l! 


il'i    <• 


a 


temper  was  severe  and  irascible  ;  but  he  was  nevertheless  not 
without  his  good  qualities,  and  was  a  young  man  of  fair  pro- 
mise— "  a  pretty  able  young  lawyer,"  to  use  an  expression  from 
the  lips  of  one  who  knew  him  well.*  It  is  believed,  however, 
that  he  took  mortal  oifence  at  his  treatment  while  in  Albany, 
and  re-entered  the  service  of  the  Crown,  burning  with  resent- 
ment and  thirsting  for  revenge. 

This  recapitulation,  in  part,  of  a  portion  of  the  younger  But- 
ler's history,  is  deemed  essential  in  connexion  with  the  events 
to  be  recorded  in  the  present  chapter. 

There  was  with  General  Washington,  during  most  of  the 
Summer,  a  Seneca  chief,  called  The  Great  Tree,  who,  on  leav- 
ing the  head-quarters  of  the  Commander-in-cliief  professed  the 
strongest  friendship  for  the  American  cause,  and  his  first  object, 
after  his  return  to  his  own  people,  was  to  inspire  them  with  his 
own  friendly  sentiments.  While  passing  through  the  Oneida 
nation  on  his  way  home,  he  professed  the  strongest  confidence 
in  his  ability  to  keep  his  own  tribe  bound  in  the  chain  of  friend- 
ship, and  pledged  himself,  in  the  event  of  his  failure,  to  come 
down  with  his  friends  and  adherents,  and  join  the  Oneidas. 
Early  in  October,  Mr.  Dean,  the  Indian  interpreter  and  agent 
in  the  Oneida  territory,  wrote  to  Major  Cochran,  then  in  com- 
mand of  Fort  Schuyler,  that,  not  hearing  from  The  Great  Tree 
tiS  soon  as  they  expected,  they  had  despatched  messengers  to 
the  Seneca  country,  who  had  returned  with  unfavorable  intel- 
ligence. It  was  stated,  that  on  his  arrival  in  his  own  country 
The  Great  Tree  found  his  tribe  all  in  arms.  The  warriors  had 
been  collected  from  the  remotest  of  their  lodges,  and  were  then 
thronging  the  two  principal  towns,  Kanadascago  and  Jennesee. 
Having  heard  that  the  Americans  were  preparing  an  expedi- 
tion against  their  country,  they  had  flown  to  arms ;  and  The 
Great  Tree  was  himself  doterminod  to  chastise  the  enemy  who 
should  dare  to  penetrate  his  country.  The  Oneida  messengers 
were  farther  told  that  all  the  Indians  west  of  their  own  tribe, 
including,  of  course,  the  Onondagas,  together  with  the  Indian 
settlements  on  the  Susquehanna  and  its  branches,  were  to  join 
them.    They  were  to  rendezvous  somewhere  on  the  Tioga, 


i;i 


III 


♦  The  venerable  John  Frank  of  Qornian  Flattt. 
Ikte  Francis  Sylvester. 


Butler  studied  law  with  the 


[1778 


irr.s.] 


INVASION    OP    CHEURY    VALLEY. 


371 


and  make  a  descent  either  upon  the  Pennsylvania  or  New  Jer- 
sey frontier.* 

The  Mohg.\vk  chief,  Thayendanegea,  does  not  appear  to 
have  been  among  the  Senecas  at  this  time ;  and  it  is  believed 
tliat  the  ferm^-tation  had  been  wrought  by  Butler,  after  his 
return  to  Niagara.  Be  that  as  it  may,  he  obtained  the  com- 
mand of  a  detachment  of  his  father's  rangers,  with  permission 
to  employ  the  forces  of  Captain  Brant.  Though  late  in  the 
season,  young  Walter  determined  to  undertake  an  expedition 
into  Tryon  County,  and  avenge  his  imprison ment.t  It  has 
been  asserted,  that  while  on  his  way  from  Niagara  with  his 
rangers,  Butler  met  Brant  returnmg  from  the  Susquehanna 
country  to  his  old  winter-quarters  at  Niagara,  and  that  the 
proud  Mohawk  was  not  a  little  displeased  at  the  idea  of  being 
assigned  to  a  subordinate  station  under  a  man  whom  he  cor- 
dially disliked.  However,  the  difficulty  was  adjusted,  and  the 
sachem  was  prevailed  upon  to  turn  back  upon  the  white  set- 
tlements, with  five  hundred  of  his  warrior's.  The  united  force 
comprised  seven  hundred  men. 

The  point  selected  by  the  enemy  was  Cherry  Valley — a  set- 
tlement as  remarkable  for  the  respectability  of  its  inhabitants, 
as  its  location  was  for  its  beauty.  Unlike  the  generality  of 
border  settlements,  the  people  were  intelligent,  and  exemplary 
for  their  morals.  So  scrupulous  were  they  in  regard  to  observ- 
ing the  precepts  of  Christianity,  that  their  Committee  of  Safety 
declined  sitting  with  the  Tryon  County  Committee  on  the  Sab- 
bath day — unless  in  the  event  of  such  alarming  circumstances 
as  would  necessarily  "super-exceed  the  duties  to  be  performed 
in  attending  the  public  worship  of  God " — which,  they  said, 
did  not  then  appear  to  be  the  case.t 

It  lias  already  been  stated,  that  in  consequence  of  their  exposed 
situation,  the  Manpiis  de  Lafayette  had  directed  I  lie  erection  of 
a  fortification  at  that  place  early  the  preceding  Spring.  Colo- 
nel Gansevoort  at  once  solicited  the  command  of  the  post,  with 
the  regiment  which  had  so  greatly  distinguished  itself  the  pre- 
ceding year  in  the  defence  of  Fort  Schuyler.     But  it  was  given 

♦  Loiter  of  Major  Cochran  to  Col.  Gansevoort,  October  10,  1778. 
f  Campbell's  Annals. 

X  Letter  to  Tryon  County  Committee,  signed  by  John  Moore,  Samuel  Clyi!«, 
•nd  Samuel  Campbell,  dated  Juno  9,  1775, 


1   I 

I- 1 


ij  . 


«  I 


i} 


u 


i,l 


f: 


Tif^ 


372 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1778. 


;!■ 


U  II 


to  Colonel  Ichabod  Alden,  at  the  head  of  an  eastern  regiment, 
unfortunately  but  little  accustomed  to  Indian  warfare. 

On  the  8th  of  November,  Colonel  Alden  received  a  despatch 
from  Fort  Schuyler  by  express,  advising  him  that  his  post  was 
to  be  attacked  by  the  Tories  and  Indians.     The  intelligence 
had  been  conveyed  to  Fort  Schuyler  by  an  Oneida  Indian, 
reporting  that  he  received  it  from  one  of  the  Onondagas,  who 
had  been  present  at  a  great  meeting  of  the  Indians  and  Tories 
at  Tioga,  at  which  the  determination  was  formed.     In  conse- 
quence of  the  lateness  of  the  season,  the  inhabitants,  not  antici- 
pating any  farther  hostilities  before  Spring,  had  removed  their 
effects  from  the  fortification,  where,  daring  the  Summer,  they 
had  been  deposited  for  safety,  back  to  their  own  dwellings. 
On  the  receipt  of  this  intelligence,  they  requested  permission  to 
remove  once  more  into  the  fort,  or  at  least  to  be  allowed  again 
to  deposite  their  most  valuable  property  within  its  walls.     But 
Colonel  Alden,  discrediting  the  intelligence  as  an  idle  Indian 
rumor,  denied  their  solicitations,  assuring  the  people  that  he 
would  use  all  diligence  against  surprise,  and  by  means  of  vigi- 
lant scouts,  be  at  all  times  prepared  to  warn  them  r"  approach- 
ing danger.    Accordingly  scouts  were  despatched  in  various 
directions  on  the  9th.     The  party  proceeding  down  the  Sus- 
quehanna, as  it  were  in  the  very  face  of  the  enemy,  very  wisely 
kindled  a  fire  in  the  evening,  by  the  side  of  which  they  laid 
themselves  down  to  sleep.     The  resuU  might  have  been  fore- 
seen.    They  were  all  prisoners  when  they  awoke ! 

Extorting  all  necessary  information  from  the  prisoners  so 
opportunely  taken,  the  enemy  moved  forward  on  the  10th — But- 
ler with  his  rangers,  and  Thayendanegea  with  his  Indians — 
encamping  for  the  m^^ht  on  the  top  of  a  hill,  thickly  covered 
with  evergreens,  about  a  mile  south-west  of  the  fort  and  village 
of  Cherry  Valley.  The  snow  fell  several  inches  during  the 
night — the  storm  turning  to  rain  in  the  morning,  with  a  thick 
and  cloudy  atmosphere.  The  officers  of  the  garrison  were 
accustomed  to  lodge  about  among  the  families  near  the  fort ; 
and  from  the  assurances  of  Colonel  Alden,  the  apprehensions  of 
the  people  were  so  much  allayed,  that  they  were  reposing  in 
perfect  security.  Colonel  Alden  himself,  with  Stacia,  his 
lieutenant-colonel,  lodged  with  Mr.  Robert  Wells,  a  gentleman 
of  great  respectability,  recently  a  judge  of  the  county,  who  was, 


^ 


!    i 


1778.  J 


INVASION   OP    CHERRY    VALLEV. 


373 


2red 


moreover,  an  intimate  friend  of  Colonel  John  Butler,  as  he  had 
also  been  of  Sir  William  Johnson,"  Having  ascrrtained  the 
localities  in  which  the  officers  lodged,  the  enemy  approached 
the  unsuspecting  village  in  the  greatest  security,  veilod  by  the 
haze  which  hung  in  the  atmosphere.  An  alarm  was,  however, 
given,  before  the  enemy  had  actually  arrived  in  the  village,  by 
the  firing  of  an  Indian  upon  a  settler  from  tlie  outskirts,  who 
was  riding  thither  on  horseback.  He  was  wounded,  but  never- 
theless pushed  forward,  and  gave  instant  information  to  the 
vigilant  Colonel.  Strange  as  it  may  seem,  this  officer  still  dis- 
believed the  approach  of  an  enemy  in  force — supposing  the 
shot  to  have  proceeded  from  a  straggler.  But  he  was  soon 
convinced  of  his  error ;  for  even  before  the  guards  could  be 
called  in,  the  Indians  were  upon  them.  Unfortunately,  proba- 
bly, for  the  inhabitants,  the  rangers  had  halted  just  before 
entering  the  village  to  examine  their  arms,  the  rain  having 
damaged  their  powder.  During  this  pause,  the  Indians  sprang 
forward  ;  and  the  Senecas,  being  at  that  period  the  most  fero- 
cious of  the  Six  Nations,  were  in  the  van.  The  house  of  Mr. 
Wells  was  instantly  surrounded  by  the  warriors  of  that  tribe, 
and  several  Tories  of  no  less  ferocity,  who  rushed  in  and  mas- 
sacred the  whole  family,  consisting  at  that  time  of  himself,  his 
mother,  his  wife,  his  brother  and  sister,  John  and  Jane,  three 
of  his  sons,  Samuel,  Robert,  and  William,  and  his  daughter 
Eleanor.  The  only  survivor  of  the  family  was  John,  who  was 
then  at  school  in  Schenectady.  His  father  had  taken  his 
family  to  that  place  for  safety  some  months  before,  but  his  fears 
having  subsided,  they  had  just  removed  back  to  their  home.t 
Colonel  Alden,  having  escaped  from  the  house,  was  pursued 
some  distance  down  a  hill  by  an  Indian,  who  repeatedly  de- 
manded of  him  to  surrender.  This,  however,  he  refused  to  do, 
turning  upon  his  pursuer  repeatedly,  and  snapping  his  pistol, 
but  without  effect.  The  Indian  ultimately  hurled  his  toma- 
hawk with  unerring  direction  at  his  head,  and  rushing  forward, 
tore  his  scalp  from  him  in  the  same  instant.  Thus,  in  the  very 
outset  of  the  battle,  fell  the  commander,  who,  had  he  been  as 

*  Robert  WoUb  was  the  fathei  of  the  late  distinguished  counsellor,  John  Wells, 
of  New- York. 

t  Notice  of  John  Wells  by  WUliain  Johnson,  Esq.  concluding  vol.  of  Johnson's 
Reports. 


i; 

v. 


•:ii* 


I   T 


374 


Life  of  brant. 


[1778. 


I 


I'l 


prudent  as  he  was  brave,  might  have  averted  the  tragic  scenes 
of  that  hapless  day.  Lieutenant-colonel  Stacia  was  made 
prisoner;  and  the  American  guards,  stationed  at  the  house  of 
Mr.  Wells,  were  all  either  killed  or  taken. 

The  destruction  of  the  family  of  Mr.  Wells  was  marked  by 
circumstances  of  peculiar  barbarity.  It  was  boasted  by  one  of 
the  Tories,  that  he  had  killed  Mr .  Wells  while  engaged  in 
prayer — certainly  a  happy  moment  for  a  soul  to  wing  its  flight 
to  another  state  of  existence ;  but  what  the  degree  of  hardi- 
hood that  could  boast  of  compassing  the  death  of  an  unarmed 
man  at  such  a  moment !  His  sister  Jane  was  distinguished 
alike  for  her  beauty,  her  accomplishments,  and  her  virtues. 
As  the  savages  rushed  into  the  house,  she  fled  to  a  pile  of  wood 
on  the  premises,  and  endeavored  to  conceal  herself.  She  was 
pursued  and  arrested  by  an  Indian,  who,  with  perfect  compo- 
sure, wiped  and  sheathed  his  dripping  knife,  and  took  his  toma- 
hawk from  his  girdle.  At  this  instant  a  Tory,  who  had  for- 
merly been  a  domestic  in  the  family,  sprang  forward  and  inter- 
posed in  her  behalf — claiming  her  as  a  sister.  The  maiden, 
too,  who  understood  somewhat  of  the  Indian  language,  im- 
plored for  mercy.  But  in  vain.  With  one  hand  the  Indian 
pushed  the  Tory  from  him,  and  with  the  other  planted  his 
hatchet  deep  into  her  temple  ! 

The  fort  was  repeatedly  assaulted  during  the  day,  and  at 
times  with  spirit ;  but  Indians  are  not  the  right  description  of 
troops  for  such  service,  and  being  received  by  a  brisk  fire  of 
grape  and  musketry  from  the  garrison,  they  avoided  the  fort,  and 
directed  their  attention  chiefly  to  plundering  and  laying  waste 
the  village,  having  sated  themselves  in  the  onset  with  blood. 
In  this  work  of  destruction  they  were  unmolested,  since,  num- 
bering more  than  twice  as  many  as  the  garrison,  a  sortie  was 
felt  to  be  unwarrantable. 

Among  the  families  which  suffered  from  the  tomahawks  of 
the  Indians  and  Tories — for  the  latter,  as  at  Wyoming,  were 
not  to  be  outdone  by  their  uncivilized  allies — were  those  of 
the  Rev.  Samuel  Dunlop,  and  a  Mr.  Mitchell.  Mrs.  Dunlop 
was  killed  outright,  and  thus  shared  the  fate  of  Mrs.  Wells,  who 
was  her  daughter.  Mr.  Dunlop  and  another  daughter  would 
likewise  have  been  murdered  but  for  the  interposition  of  Little 
Aaron,  a  chief  of  the  Oghkwaga  branch  of  the  Mohawks,  who 


1778.] 


INVASION  OF   CHERRY   VALLEY. 


376 


led  the  old  gentleman,  tottering  beneath  the  weight  of  years,  to 
the  door,  and  stood  beside  him  for  his  protection.  The  Indians 
attempted  to  plunder  him  of  some  of  his  attire,  but  the  sachem 
compelled  them  to  relinquish  that  portion  of  their  spoil. 
The  venerable  servant  of  God,  shocked  by  the  events  of  that 
day  beyond  the  strength  of  his  nerves,  died  within  a  year  after* 
ward. 

The  case  of  Mr,  Mitchell  was  still  more  painful.  He  was 
in  the  field  at  work  when  he  beheld  the  Indians  approaching  ; 
and  being  already  cut  off  from  his  house,  his  only  course  wa  * 
to  betake  himself  to  the  Avoods.  On  returning  to  his  home, 
after  the  enemy  had  retired,  he  found  his  house  on  fire,  and 
within  its  plundered  walls  the  murdered  bodies  of  his  wife  and 
three  of  his  children.  The  fourth,  a  little  girl  often  or  twelve 
years  of  age,  had  been  left  for  dead.  But  signs  of  life  appear- 
ing, the  parent,  having  extinguished  the  fire,  which  had  not 
yet  made  much  progress,  brought  his  little  mangled  daughter 
forth  to  the  door,  and  while  bending  over  her,  discovered  a 
straggling  party  of  the  enemy  approaching.  He  had  but  just 
time  to  conceal  himself,  before  a  Tory  sergeant,  named  New- 
berry,  rushed  forward,  and  by  a  blow  of  his  hatchet  extinguished 
what  little  growing  hope  of  life  had  been  left,  by  a  darker 
though  less  savage  enemy  than  himself.  It  is  some  consolation, 
while  recording  this  deed  of  blood,  to  be  able  to  anticipate  the 
course  of  events,  so  far  as  to  announce  that  this  brutal  fellow 
paid  the  forfeit  of  his  life  on  the  gallows,  by  order  of  General 
James  Clinton,  at  Canajoharie,  in  the  summer  of  the  following 
year.  On  the  next  day  Mr.  Mitchell  removed  his  dead  to  the 
fort  with  his  own  arms,  and  the  soldiers  assisted  in  their  inter- 
ment. Several  other  families  were  cut  off— the  whole  number 
of  the  inhabitants  slain  being  thirty-two,  n^ostly  women  and 
children.  In  addition  to  these,  sixteen  soldiers  were  killed. 
Some  of  the  inhabitants  escaped,  but  the  greater  proportion 
were  taken  prisoners.  Among  the  former  were  Mrs.  Clyde, 
the  wife  of  Colonel  Clyde,  who  was  absent,  and  her  family. 
She  succeeded  in  reaching  the  woods  with  her  children,  ex- 
cepting her  eldest  daughter,  whom  she  could  not  find  at  the 
moment ;  and  although  the  savages  were  frequently  prowling 
around  her,  she  yet  lay  secure  in  her  concealment  until  the 
next  day.    The  eldest  daughter,  likewise,  had  made  a  success* 

52 


I 

'I 


!•_ 


A 


376 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1778 


ful  flight,  and  returned  in  safety.  Colonel  Campbell  was  also 
absent ;  but  hastening  home  on  hearing  the  alarm,  he  arrived 
only  in  time  to  behold  the  destruction  of  his  property  by  the 
conflagration  of  the  village,  and  to  ascertain  that  his  wife  and 
children  had  been  carried  into  captivity.*  The  torch  was  ap- 
plied indiscriminately  to  every  dwelling-house,  and,  in  fact,  to 
every  building  in  the  village.  The  barns,  being  filled  with  the 
combustible  products  of  husbandry,  served  to  render  the  con- 
flagration more  fierce  and  terrific ;  especially  to  the  fugitive 
inhabitants  who  had  escaped  to  the  woods  for  shelter,  and 
whose  sufferings  were  aggravated  by  the  consciousness  that 
their  retreating  footsteps  were  lighted  bv  the  flames  of  their 
own  households. 

The  prisoners  taken  numbered  between  thirty  and  forty. 
They  were  marched,  on  the  evening  of  the  massacre,  down  the 
valley  about  two  miles  south  of  the  fort,  where  the  enemy  en- 
camped for  the  night.  Large  fires  were  kindled  round  about 
the  camp,  into  the  centre  of  which  the  prisoners,  of  all  ages  and 
sexes,  were  promiscuously  huddled,  and  there  compelled  to 
pass  the  hours  till  morning — many  of  them  half  naked,  shiver- 
ing from  the  inclemency  of  the  weather,  with  no  shelter  bul 
the  frowning  heavens,  nnd  no  bed  but  the  cold  ground.  It  was 
a  dismal  night  for  the  hapless  group — rendered,  if  possible,  still 
more  painful  by  the  savage  yells  of  exultation,  the  wild,  half- 


|i      ^ 


i, 


♦  Colonel  Campbell  was  llio  grttiidfatlKT  of  the  author  of  the  Annals  of  Tryon 
County,  80  frntiucnlly  rcfurred  to  in  the  prosont  volume,  to  whom  the  author  is 
almoMt  uxcluHivc'ly  indobtod  fur  liio  fuels  respcxiting  the  invasion  of  Churry  Valtey. 
The  autlior  of  the  Annuls  buing  himself  a  nutivu  of  that  plaeo,  was  not  only  familiar 
with  its  history  from  his  erudle,  but  bus  taken  great  pains  to  collect  the  facts.  There 
is  indeed  no  other  roliablo  authority.  Ramsay  is  ecpially  brief  and  unsatisfactory  ; 
while  Maeauley's  wretched  jumblo  of  every  thing,  called,  for  what  reason  cannot 
bo  divined,  a  History  of  Now- York,  contuins  the  most  foul  niisrepresertationa. 
The  massacre  was  bad  enouj^h,  in  all  conscience ;  but  when  it  is  stated  tliat,  "  not 
"  content  with  killing  the  inlmbitanls,  they  ripped  open  and  (|uartorcd  the  women, 
"and  then  suspended  their  mangled  limbs  on  the  tre(^s — that  the  helpless  infanta 
"  were  taken  from  their  mothers'  breasts,  and  their  brains  knocked  out  against  the 
"  posts," — and  when  these  stalemonts  are  compared  wili>  the  real  facts  of  the  cose, 
wo  may  well  tremble  for  the  truth  of  history.  Tiio  Kimplo  incident  wliich  gave  rise 
to  this  shf  king  tale  of  mutilating  the  luxlies  of  the  dying  and  dead,  was  this.  Ono 
of  the  Tories  had  lived  as  a  dumestic  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Punlop.  He  had  nm  awny 
in  consequence  of  ill-treatment,  as  was  allegtxl,  on  tho  port  of  Mrs,  D.  After  iho 
wua  slain,  it  ia  said  ho  cut  oil'  her  hand.  Uut  oven  this  story  ia  of  doubtful  au- 
thunlibity. 


M 


\\\ 


1779.] 


INVASION   OP    CHERRY    VALLEY. 


377 


f  Tryon 

uthor  is 

Vnltey. 

fuiiiiliar 

Thoro 

isfoctory ; 

)n  cnniiut 

rtalions. 

lut,  "not 

womon, 

8  inrantn 

;tiiiiiit  tlio 

tho  caRP, 

j;hvo  rise 

IN.      Olio 

im  nwny 

\f\ur  iho 

btful  au- 


♦  » 


frantic  revelry,  and  other  manifestations  of  joy  on  the  part  of 
the  victors,  at  the  success  of  their  bloody  enterprise.  In  the 
course  of  the  night  a  division  of  the  spoil  was  made  among  the 
Indians,  and  on  the  following  morning  the  march  was  resumed  ; 
although  parties  of  the  Indians  returned  to  prowl  among  the 
ruins  of  the  village  or  hang  upon  its  outskirts,  during  the 
greater  part  of  the  day,  and  until  reinforcements  of  militia  from 
the  Mohawk  Valley  began  to  arrive,  when  they  dispersed. 

The  retiring  enemy  had  not  proceeded  far  on  their  way,  be- 
fore the  prisoners,  with  few  exceptions,  experienced  a  change 
in  their  circumstances,  as  happy  as  it  was  unexpected.  Tlicy 
had  been  separated,  for  the  convenience  of  travelling,  into  small 
groups,  in  charge  of  different  parlies  of  the  enemy.  On  coming 
to  a  halt,  they  were  collected  together,  and  informed  that  it  had 
been  determined  to  release  all  the  women  and  children,  except- 
ing Mrs.  Campbell  and  her  four  children,  and  Mrs.  Moon;  and 
her  children.  These  it  was  resolved  to  detain  in  captivity  as 
a  punishment  to  their  husbands,  for  the  activity  they  had  dis- 
played in  the  border  wars.  With  these  exceptions,  the  women 
and  their  little  ones  were  immediately  sent  back;  bearing  the 
following  letter  from  the  commander  of  the  rangers,  addressed 
to  General  Schuyler.  As  a  key  to  the  letter,  and  perhaps, 
also,  to  the  motives  of  Captain  Butler  in  this  act  of  humanity, 
it  should  here  be  remarked,  that  on  the  flight  of  his  father  and 
himself  to  Canada,  his  mother  and  the  younger  children  had 
been  left  behind.  Mrs.  Butler  and  her  children  were  detained 
by  the  Committee  of  Safety,  and  permission  to  follow  the  bus- 
hand  'and  sou  to  Canada  had  been  refused,  as  has  been  stated 
in  a  former  chapter  : — 

Captain  Butler  to  General  Schuyler. 

«  Cherrif  Valley,  Nov,  12,  1778. 

"Sir, 
"  I  am  induced  by  humanity  to  permit  the  persons  whoso 
names  I  send  herewith,  to  return,  lest  the  inclemency  of  the 
Bcason,  and  their  naked  and  helpless  situation,  might  prove 
fatal  to  them,  and  cxi)ect  that  yoti  will  release  an  equal  ntunber 
of  our  people  in  your  hands,  amongst  whom  I  expect  you  will 
permit  Mrs.  Butler  and  family  to  come  to  Canada ;  but  if  you 
insist  upon  it,  1  do  engage  to  send  you,  moreover,  an  equal 


If 


378 


LIFE   OF  BRANT. 


[1779 


t%  '1 


Ji, 


I!  ' 

lit 


number  of  prisoners  of  yours,  taken  either  by  the  Rangers  or 
Indians,  and  will  leave  it  to  you  to  name  the  persons.  I  have 
done  every  thing  in  my  power  to  restrain  the  fury  of  the  In- 
dians from  hurting  women  and  cliildren,  or  killing  the  prison- 
ers who  fell  into  our  hands,  and  would  have  more  effectually 
prevented  them,  but  that  they  were  much  incensed  by  the  late 
destruction  of  their  village  of  Anguaga*  by  your  people.  I  shall 
always  continue  to  act  in  that  manner.  I  look  upon  it  beneath 
the  character  of  a  soldier  to  wage  war  with  women  and 
children.  I  am  sure  you  are  conscious  that  Colonel  Butler  or 
myself  have  no  desire  that  your  women  or  children  should  be 
hurt.  But,  be  assured,  that  if  you  persevere  in  detaining  my 
father's  family  with  you,  that  we  shall  no  longer  take  the  same 
pains  to  restrain  the  Indians  from  prisoners,  women  and 
children,  that  we  have  heretofore  done. 

"  I  am,  your  humble  servant, 

"  Walter  N.  Butler, 
"  Copt.  Com.  of  the  Rangers, 
"General  Schuyler."! 

Having  thus,  in  a  great  measure,  disencuml)ered  themselves 
of  their  prisoners,  the  enemy  proceeded  on  their  journey  by 
their  usual  route  at  that  period,  down  the  Susquehanna  to  its 
confluence  with  the  Tioga,  thence  up  that  river  into  the  Seneca 
country,  and  thence  to  Niagara.  Mrs.  Cannon,  an  aged  lady, 
and  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Campbell,  was  likewise  htild  in  capti- 
vity ;  but  being  unfitted  for  travelling  by  reason  of  her  years, 
the  Indian  having  both  in  charge  despatched  the  mother  with 
his  hatchet,  by  tiie  side  of  the  daughter,  on  the  second  day  of 
their  marcli,  Mrs.  Campbell  was  driven  along  by  the  uplifted 
hatchet,  having  a  child  in  her  arms  eighteen  months  old,  with 
burliurous  rapidity,  until  the  next  day,  when  she  was  favored 
with  a  more  humane  master.  In  the  course  of  the  march  a 
stragghng  party  of  the  Indians  massacred  an  English  family 
named  Bu.xton,  nvsiding  on  the  Butternut  Creek,  and  reduced 
their  buildings  to  ashes.; 

Thus  terminated  the  expedition  of  Walter  N.  Butler  and 

*  One  oftho  old  nnmnn  orUnndilln. 

t  'I'liin  letter  wan  niceiilly  Unind  nmong  thn  pnpnri  ofOonoral  Jax.nii  Clinton. 
\  TIteru  ix  mtiuu  rnunun  UuloiilU  v«'liullt(ir  thin  murder  of  tlin  nuxinnii  wm  nm.  tt.ft 
work  ul'llio  OnoiduR,  during  their  oxcuritiun  tu  Uimdiila  and  the  Butturiiuti. 


•  / 


1778.] 


DESOLATION    OF    THE    VILLAGE. 


379 


I 


Joseph  Brant  to  Cherr}'  Valley.  Nothing  could  exhibit  an  as- 
pect of  more  entire  desolation  than  did  the  site  of  that  village 
on  the  following  day,  when  the  militia  from  the  Mohawk  ar- 
rived, too  late  to  afford  assistance.  "  The  cocks  crowed  from 
"  the  tops  of  the  forest  trees,  and  the  dogs  howled  through  the 
"  fields  and  woods."  The  inhabitants  who  escaped  the  massa- 
cre, and  those  who  returned  from  captivity,  abandoned  the 
settlement,  until  the  return  of  peace  should  enable  them  to  plant 
themselves  down  once  more  in  safety  ;  and  in  the  succeeding 
Summer  the  garrison  was  withdrawn  and  the  post  abandoned. 
Next  to  the  destruction  of  Wyoming,  that  of  Cheft-y  Valley 
stands  out  in  history  as  having  been  the  most  conspicuous  for 
its  atrocity.  And  as  in  the  case  of  Wyoming,  both  in  history 
and  popular  tradition,  Joseph  Brant  has  been  held  up  as  the 
foul  fiend  of  the  barbarians,  and  of  all  others  deserving  the 
deepest  execration.  Even  the  learned  and  estimable  counsel- 
lor, who  so  long  reported  the  adjudicated  law  of  the  State  of 
New- York,*  in  the  tribute  to  the  memory  of  the  late  John  Wells, 
with  which  he  closed  the  last  volume  of  his  juridical  labors, 
has  fallen  into  the  same  popular  error  ;  and  applies  the  second 
stanza  in  the  striking  passage  of  "Gertrude  of  Wyoming," 
which  called  forth  the  younger  Brant  in  vindication  of  his  fa- 
ther's memory,  to  the  case  of  his  departed  and  eminent  friend.t 
It  was  indeed  most  true  as  applied  to  the  melancholy  case  of 
Mr.  Wells,  of  whoso  kindred  "nor  man,  nor  child,  nor  thing 
of  living  birth,"  had  been  loit  by  the  Indians.  But  it  may  bo 
fearlessly  asserted  that  it  was  not  true  as  coupled  with  tho 
name  of  Joseph  Brant.  It  has  already  l.)cen  seen  that  Brant 
was  not  the  commander  of  this  expedition  ;  and  if  he  had  been, 
it  is  not  certain  that  ho  could  have  compellod  a  different  result. 
But  it  is  certain  that  his  conduct  on  that  fatal  day  was  neither 
barbarous  nor  ungenerous.  On  tho  contrary,  he  did  all  in  his 
power  to  prevent  tho  shedding  of  iruiocent  blood  ;  and  had  it 
not  been  for  a  circumstance  beyond  his  control,  it  is  more  than 
probabl»!  that  tho  distinguished  counsellor  referred  to,  would 
not  have  been  lofl  "  alone  of  all  his  race."     Captain  Brant  as- 

•  Willioin  Jitliiijioii,  Vm\.  loiin  reporter  of  tlio  Siiprpiiio  Court,  tho  Court  of  Llrrors, 
and  llm  Court  of  (^iKiiicnry  of  this  Stntt\ 

\  The  piii«Hui:e  referred  to — ■«  unjust  at  it  is  poeticBl— will  1»6  found  near  tlio  cloio 
of  tho  Hecoud  voluino  of  tho  pro»cnt  work,  in  tho  iketch  of  tho  life  of  tho  younger 
Brant. 


I 


3! 


* ; ' 


i    , 


"1 


380 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1778. 


Mil  ir , 


") 


I,     •  i 


serted,  and  tliere  is  no  reason  to  question  his  veracity,  that  on 
the  morning  of  the  attack,  he  left  the  main  body  of  the  Indians, 
and  endeavored  to  anticipate  their  arrival  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
Wells,  for  the  purpose  of  affording  protection  to  the  family. 
On  his  way  it  was  necessary  to  cross  a  ploughed  field,  the 
yielding  of  the  earth  in  which,  beneath  his  tread,  so  retarded 
his  progress,  that  he  arrived  too  late. 

But  this  is  not  all.  On  entering  one  of  the  dwellings,  he 
found  a  woman  employed  in  household  matters.  "  Are  you 
thus  engaged,"  inquired  the  chief,  "  while  all  your  neighbors 
are  murdered  around  you  ?"  The  woman  replied  that  they 
were  in  favor  of  the  King.  "  That  plea  will  not  avail  you  to- 
day," replied  the  warrior.  "  They  have  murdered  Mr.  Wells's 
family,  who  were  as  dear  to  me  as  my  own."  "  But,"  conti- 
nued the  woman,  "  there  is  one  Joseph  Brant :  if  he  is  with  the 
Indians,  he  will  save  us."  "  I  am  Joseph  Brant !"  was  the 
quick  response  :  "  but  I  have  not  the  command,  and  I  know 
not  that  I  can  save  you  ;  but  I  will  do  what  is  in  my  power." 
At  the  moment  of  uttering  these  words,  he  observed  the  Senecas 
approaching.  "  Get  into  bed  quick,"  he  commanded  her,  "  and 
feign  yourself  sick."  The  woman  obeyed,  and  when  the  In- 
dians came  up,  he  put  them  off  with  that  pretext.  Instantly  as 
they  departed,  he  rallied  a  few  of  his  Mohawks  by  a  shrill 
signal,  and  directed  them  to  paint  his  mark  upon  the  woman 
and  her  children.  "  You  are  now  probably  safe,"  he  remarked 
— and  departed.* 

Another  instance,  from  the  same  authority,!  will  serve 
farther  to  illustrate  the  conduct  and  bearing  of  this  distinguish- 
ed Indian  leader  on  that  occasion  :  Atior  the  battle  was  over, 
lie  inquired  of  one  of  the  mptives  for  Captain  M'Kean,  who 
had  retired  to  the  Mohawk  Valley  with  his  family.  "  He  sent  me 
a  challenge  once,"  said  the  chief;  "  I  have  now  come  to  accept 
it.  He  is  a  fine  soldier  thus  to  retreat !"  It  was  said  in  reply : 
*' Captain  M'Kean  would  not  turn  his  back  upon  an  enemy 
where  there  was  a  probability  of  success."  "  I  know  it,"  re- 
joined Brant :  "  ho  is  a  brave  man  and  I  would  havo  given 


'*'  It  in  an  Iiuliun  practicn  tluiR  to  mnrk  tlioir  captiroa,  and  the  known  mArk  of 
tribo  or  chiof  in  a  protection  from  danger  at  other  handi. 
i  CampbeU'a  Annali. 


t  I 


4. 
I. 


f\ 


of  a 


1778.] 


CONDUCT   OP   BRANT   AND   BUTLER. 


381 


"  more  to  take  him  than  any  other  man  in  Cherry  Valley :  but 
"  I  would  not  have  hurt  a  hair  of  his  head." 

These  were  generous  sentiments,  worthy  of  a  generous  sol- 
dier. Indeed,  the  whole  conduct  of  the  Mohawk  chief  on  that 
melancholy  day  was  any  thing  rather  than  characteristic  of  the 
"  mcmaler  "  Brant  has  been  represented  to  be.  Of  the  conduct 
of  the  leader  of  the  expedition,  Captain  Walter  N.  Butler,  a  less 
charitable  judgment  must  be  formed — not  so  much  perhaps  on 
account  of  the  atrocities  committed — because  these,  too,  may 
have  been  beyond  his  control,  or  suddenly  perpetrated  without 
his  knowledge — but  because  the  expedition  was  entirely  one  of 
his  own  undertaking.  It  was  said  that  Colonel  John  Butler 
was  grieved  at  the  conduct  of  his  son  at  this  place  ;  remarking, 

the  murder  of  Mr.  Wells  and 


on  one  occasion, 


in  regard  to 


family — "  I  would  have  gone  miles  on  my  hands  and  knees 
"  to  save  that  family,  and  why  my  son  did  not  do  it,  God 
"  only  knows."  It  has  also  been  asserted  that  the  Colonel  ac- 
cused Brant  of  having  incited  the  Indians  secretly  to  commit 
the  excesses  in  question,  in  order  to  bring  odium  upon  his  son, 
under  whose  command,  as  the  reader  has  already  been  inform- 
ed, he  had  been  placed,  strongly  in  opposition  to  his  own  wishes. 
But  the  Mohawk  repelled  the  charge,  and  appealed  to  his  for- 
mer conduct,  particularly  in  the  case  of  Springfield,  as  a  vindi- 
cation of  his  character  from  the  imputation  of  wanton  cruelty. 
On  the  other  hand,  it  has  been  laid  to  the  charge  of  Butler, 
that  when,  on  the  night  preceding  the  massacre,  some  of  his 
rangers  desired  secretly  to  apprise  their  friends  in  the  village 
of  the  storm  which  was  to  burst  upon  them  in  tlie  morning,  he 
peremptorily  denied  the  request— apprehending  that  if  a  few 
were  ever  so  cautiously  admonished  of  the  opproachiug  danger, 
the  tidings  would  be  bruited  and  the  whole  village  escape.* 

These  things  may,  or  they  may  not,  be  true.  But  in  either 
case  the  loyalist  Butlers,  father  and  son,  should  be  justly  dealt 
by,  although  they  have  not  been  as  yet.  At  least  the  world 
has  never  heard  what  lliey  might  possibly  have  said  in  their 
own  delence  — nay,  what  they  did  say — in  regard  to  the  all'uirs 
of  Wyoming  and  (Jherry  Valley  ;  and  candor  requires  the  ad- 
mission, that  the  narratives  of  those  events  which  have  descend- 
ed to  usj  wuru  written  too  soon  after  their  uccurrunuo  tu  wur- 

*  Cttiiipbttll'a  Anitalit 


in 


lfc  i 


ft:  , 


i 

i 


;:'1. 


Mr 


♦■-; 


•I 


■Ir 


.1 


■r  ' 


'"1 


!i;' 


:   ! 


:l     ,<<j 


382 


LIFE   OP    BRANT. 


[1778. 


rant  a  belief  in  the  entire  impartiality  of  the  writers.  But  as 
truth  constitutes  the  great  excellence  of  history,  and  as  a  just 
opinion  can  rarely  be  formed  upon  testimony  altogether  ex- 
•parte  after  fifty-eight  years  ot  silence,  it  may  be  allowed  to  the 
Butlers,  though  dead,  to  speak  a  word  for  themselves.  The 
elder  Butler  lived  at  Niagara  many  years  after  the  clos^  of  the 
contest;  and, though  employed  in  the  British  Indian  Department, 
his  conduct  was  such,  both  in  public  and  private  life,  as  to  com- 
mand the  respect  of  those  who  knew  him. 

The  letter  of  C;iptain  Butler  to  General  Schuyler,  written  the 
day  after  the  affair  at  Cherry  Valley,  was  delivered  by  the  gen- 
tleman who,  of  all  others,  felt  the  greatest  interest  in  facilitating 
the  arrangement  proposed — Colonel  Campbell  himself.  It  was 
not  answered  by  General  Schuyler,  for  the  reason  that  he  was 
not  then  in  command  of  the  district ;  and  for  the  still  farther 
reason  that,  from  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  it  took  a  differ- 
ent direction.  On  the  1st  of  January,  however,  the  following 
letter  upon  the  subject  was  addressed  to  Captain  Butler  by 
Brigadier-General  James  Clinton  : — 

General  Clinton  to  Captain  Butler. 

*'  Albany,  January  1st,  1779. 
"Sir, 
'""A  letter,  dated  the  12th  of  November  last,  signed  by  you, 
and  directed  to  General  Schuyler,  and  which  was  delivered  by 
John  Campbell,  is  come  to  hand.  As  its  contents  related  to 
persons  who  were  citizens  of  the  State,  with  which  the  military 
do  not  interfere,  the  letter  was  not  delivered  to  Brigadier-Gene- 
ral Hand,  who  commanded  in  this  department,  but  transmitted 
to  his  Excellency  Governor  Clinton,  that  his  pleasure  might 
be  known  on  its  contents.  He  has  authorized  me  to  make  the 
exchange  you  request.  1  am  at  a  loss  to  know  not  only  where 
to  direct  to  you,  but  also  in  what  part  of  the  country  the  un- 
happy prisoners  taken  froin  this  State  have  been  carried.  I 
therefore  send  the  bearers,  A.  B.  and  C.  D.  with  a  fing,  to  carry 
this  letter  to  ony  place  where  th(!y  may  learn  you  are,  or  any 
other  officer  who  can  accomplish  the  exchange  in  your  ab- 
sence. Should  the  prisoners  bo  in  any  of  the  Indian  villages, 
and  in  a  condition  to  be  moved,  you  will  please  to  send  them 
to  the  nearest  of  our  settlements  ;  or,  if  you  do  not  choose  to 
do  that,  I  will  send  proper  persons  to  moot  and  receive  them  at 


I  / 


{ <;■    !i 


r'-\ 


nrs.] 


LETTER  OP   GENERAL   CLINTON. 


383 


any  place  you  may  appoint.  I  am  not  informed  if  Mrs.  Butler, 
her  family,  and  such  others  as  will  be  given  in  exchange  for 
those  you  have  in  captivity,  and  those  you  have  suffered  to  re* 
turn  as  mentioned  in  your  letter,  would  choose  to  move  at  this 
inclement  season.  If  they  do,  they  shall  be  sent.  If  not,  they 
may  remain  until  Spring ;  and  then  they  may  either  go  to 
Oswego  or  Canada,  at  their  option.  Should  the  prisoners 
taken  at  Cherry  Valley,  or  any  others  belonging  to  the  State  of 
New- York,  be  at  Niagara,  it  will  be  impossible  for  them  to  re- 
turn until  Spring ;  and  then  I  request  that  they  may  be  sent  to 
Oswego  nr  Fort  Schuyler,  and  that  you  will  send  notice  of 
V<'  'r  «  nination,  that  provision  may  be  made  accordingly. 
L  not  fi.  r  yourself,  sir,  thu  ^oar  father's  family  have  been 
detained  on  account  of  any  consequence  they  were  supposed  to 
be  of,  or  that  it  is  determined  they  should  be  exchanged  in  con- 
sideration of  the  threat  contained  in  your  letter.  I  should 
hope,  for  the  sake  of  human  nature  and  the  honor  of  civilized 
nations,  that  the  British  officers  had  exerted  themselves  in 
restraining  the  barbarity  of  the  savages.  But  it  is  difficult 
even  for  the  most  disinterested  mind  to  believe  it,  as  numerous 
instances  of  barbarity  have  been  perpetrated  where  savages 
were  not  present — or,  if  they  were,  the  British  force  was  not 
sufficient  to  restrain  them,  had  there  been  a  real  desire  so  to  do. 
The  enormous  murders  committed  at  Wyoming  and  Cherry 
Valley  would  clearly  have  justified  a  retaliation  ;  and  that  your 
mother  did  not  full  a  sacrifice  to  the  resentment  of  the  survivors 
of  those  families  who  were  so  barbarously  massacred,  is  owing 
to  the  humane  principles  which  the  conduct  of  their  enemies 
evinces  a  belief  that  they  are  utterly  strangers  to.  The  flag 
will  carry  their  arms  with  them,  that  they  may  furnish  them- 
selves with  provisions,  should  what  they  set  out  with  be  ex- 
pended before  they  reach  any  places  where  they  can  be  supplied. 
As  Captain  Butler  may  be  absent,  I  enclose  a  copy  of  this  letter 

to  General  Schuyler. 

"  I  am,  (fcc, 

"  Jamks  Clinton. 

"  To  Captain  Walter  Butler,  or  any  officer  in  the  British 

service  to  whom  this  may  be  handed."* 

*  This  letter  lias  boon  copied  froin  the  original  draft,  auiong  llio  papers  of  Qonoral 
Clinton. 


m^ 


ri: 


li 


fc 


i: 


'.i 


i  >l 


1^' 


I 


il"t 


1" 
1  i 

j ;       1 


1 

1' 

i 

1 

1^' 

IKS' 


L 


384 


LIFE   OP  BRANT. 


[1778. 


This  letter  reached  its  destination  in  due  season,  and  called 
forth  the  following  reply  from  Captain  Butler,  written  in  be- 
half of  his  father  and  himself: — 

Captain  Butler  to  General  Clinton. 

"  Niagara,  18th  Feb.  1779. 
"Sir, 

"  I  have  received  a  letter  dated  the  1st  January  last,  signed 
by  you,  in  answer  to  mine  of  the  12th  November. 

"  Its  contents  I  communicated  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Bolton,  the 
commanding  officer  of  this  garrison,  &.c.  by  whom  I  am  directed 
to  acquaint  you,  that  he  had  no  objection  that  an  exchange 
of  prisoners,  as  mentioned  in  your  letter,  should  take  place ;  but 
not  being  fully  empowered  by  his  Excellency — General  Haldi- 
mand* — to  order  the  same  immediately  to  be  put  in  execution, 
has  thought  proper  I  should  go  down  to  the  Commander-in- 
chief  for  his  direction  in  the  matter. 

"  In  the  mean  time,  Colonel  Butler,  as  he  ever  has  done  on 
every  other  occasion,  will  make  every  effort  in  his  power  to 
have  all  the  prisoners,  as  well  those  belonging  to  your  troops, 
as  the  women  and  children,  in  captivity  among  the  different  In- 
dian nations,  collected  and  sent  in  to  this  post  to  be  forwarded 
to  Crown  Point,  should  the  exchange  take  place  by  the  way  of 
Canada,  or  to  Oswego,  if  settled  there.  In  either  case  Colonel 
Bolton  desires  me  to  inform  you  that  the  prisoners  shall  receive 
from  him  what  assistance  their  wants  may  require,  which  pri- 
soners have  at  all  times  received  at  this  post. 

"  The  disagreeable  situation  of  your  pt^ople  in  the  Indian  vil- 
lages, as  well  as  ours  amongst  you,  will  induce  me  to  make  all 
the  expedition  in  my  power  to  Canada,  (Quebec,)  in  order  that 
the  exchange  may  be  settled  as  soon  as  possible.  For  the  good 
of  both,  I  make  no  doubt  that  his  Excellency  General  Haldi- 
mand  will  acquiesce  in  the  proper  exchange.  The  sejison  of 
the  year  renders  it  impossible  that  it  should  take  place  before 
the  lOlh  or  15th  May  next.  However,  1  shall  write  you,  by 
the  way  of  Crown  Point,  General  Ilaldimand's  determination, 
and  when  and  where  the  exchange  will  be  most  agreeable  to 
Inm  to  bo  made.    I  could  wish  Mrs.  Butler  and  her  family,  in- 

*  Qoncral  Sir  Frederick  Ilaldimand  iiad  previous  to  this  time  tupersedod  Sir 
Guy  Garlotla.in  Iho  command  of  the  CunadaB. 


(•  ' 


1778. 


LETTER  OP   WALTER    N.    BUTLER. 


385 


'i.  ( 

"1    t 


to 
in- 


cluding Mrs.  Scheehan  and  son,  and  Mrs.  Wall,  were  permitted 
to  go  to  Canada  in  the  Spring,  even  should  the  excliange  be 
fixed  at  Ontario. 

"  It  is  not  our  present  business,  sir,  to  enter  into  an  alterca- 
tion, or  to  reflect  on  the  conduct  of  either  the  British  or  the 
Continental  forces,  or  on  that  of  each  other  ;  but  since  you 
have  charged  (on  report,  I  must  suppose)  the  British  officers  in 
general  with  inhumanity,  and  Colonel  Butler  and  myself  in 
particular ;  in  justice  to  them,  and  in  vindication  of  his  and 
my  own  honor  and  character,  I  am  under  the  disagreeable  ne- 
cessity to  declare  the  charge  unjust  and  void  of  truth,  and  which 
can  only  tend  to  deceive  the  world,  though  a  favorite  cry  of 
the  Congress  on  every  occasion,  whether  in  truth  or  not. 

"  We  deny  any  cruelties  to  have  been  committed  at  Wyo- 
ming', eitherby  whites  or  Indians ;  so  far  to  the  contrary,  that 
not  a  man,  woman,  or  child  was  hurt  after  the  capitulation,  or 
a  woman  or  child  before  it,  and  none  taken  into  captivity. 
Though,  should  you  call  it  inhumanity  the  killing  men  in 
arms  in  the  field,  we  in  that  case  plead  guilty.  The  inhabit- 
ants killed  at  Cherry  Valley  does  not  lay  at  my  door — my  con- 
science acquits.  If  any  are  guilty  (as  accessories)  it's  yourselves ; 
at  least  the  conduct  of  some  of  your  officers.  First,  Colonel 
Hartley,  of  your  forces,  sent  to  the  Indians  the  enclosed,  being  a 
copy  of  his  letter  charging  them  with  crimes  they  never  com- 
mitted, and  threatening  them  and  their  villages  with  fire  and 
sword  and  no  quarters.  The  burning  of  one  of  their  villages, 
then  inhabited  only  by  a  few  families — your  friends — who  ima- 
gined they  might  remain  in  peace  and  friendship  with  you,  till 
assured  a  few  hours  before  the  arrival  of  your  troops  that  they 
should  not  even  receive  quarters,  took  to  the  woods ;  and,  to 
complete  the  matter,  Coloiiel  Denniston  and  his  people  appear- 
ing again  in  arms  with  Colonel  Hartley,  after  a  solemn  capitu- 
lation and  engagement  not  to  bear  arms  during  the  war,  and 
Colonel  Denniston  not  performing  a  promise  to  release  a  num- 
ber of  soldiers  belonging  to  Colonel  Butler's  corps  of  rangers, 
then  prisoners  among  you,  were  the  reasons  assigned  by  the 
Indians  to  me,  after  the  destruction  of  Cherry  Valley,  for  their 
not  acting  in  the  same  manner  as  at  Wyoming.  They  added, 
that  being  charged  by  their  enemies  witli  what  they  never  had 
done,  and  threatened  by  them,  they  had  determined  to  convince 


a 


t\ 


m 


«r 


m 

11 ; 
'i 


f  '■ ' 


I   , 


386 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[177B. 


h     f 


li     4 


you  it  was  not  fear  which  had  prevented  them  from  commit* 
ting  the  one,  and  that  they  did  not  want  spirit  to  put  your 
threats  against  them  in  force  against  yourselves. 

"  The  prisoners  sent  back  by  me,  or  any  now  in  our  or  the 
Indians'  hands,  must  declare  I  did  every  thing  in  my  power  to 
prevent  the  Indians  killing  the  prisoners,  or  taking  women  and 
children  captive,  or  in  any  wise  injuring  them.  Colonel  Stacey 
and  several  other  officers  of  yours,  when  exchanged,  will 
acquit  me ;  and  must  further  declare,  that  they  have  received 
every  assistance,  before  and  since  their  arrival  at  this  post,  that 
could  be  got  to  relieve  their  wants.  I  must,  however,  beg  leave, 
by  the  bye,  to  observe,  that  I  experienced  no  humanity,  or  even 
common  justice,  during  my  imprisonment  among  you. 

"  I  enclose  you  a  list  of  officers  and  privates  whom  I  should 
he  glad  were  exchanged  likewise.  The  list  of  the  families  we 
expect  for  those  as  well  sent  back  as  others  in  our  hands,  you 
have  likewise  enclosed. 

"  Colonel  Stacey,  and  several  officers  and  others,  your  peo- 
ple, are  at  this  post,  and  have  leave  to  write. 

« I  am, 

"  Your  very  humble  serv't., 
"  Walter  N.  Butler, 
*'  Captain  corps  of  Rangers, 

"  Brigadier  Gen.  Clinton, 
of  the  Continental  forces." 

This  is  a  straight-forward,  manly  letter  ;  and  when  the  im» 
partial  reader  is  weighing  the  testimony  in  regard  to  the  trans- 
actions of  which  it  speaks,  it  certainly  deserves  consideration!. 
It  is,  moreover,  believed  to  be  the  first  time  that  the  accused 
have  been  permitted  to  relate  their  own  side  of  the  case. 
There  were,  no  doubt,  bloody  outrages  committed— probably 
upon  both  sides — because  in  such  a  contest,  waged  by  border- 
ers, many  of  whom,  as  has  been  seen,  were  previously  burning 
with  indignation  against  each  other,  it  is  hardly  to  be  expected 
that  individual  combatants  would  always  contend  hand  to 
hand  with  all  the  courtesy  which  characterised  gallant  knights 
in  the  days  of  chivalry.  In  justice  to  Colonel  John  Butler, 
moreover,  it  must  be  admitted  that  his  conduct  toward  his  pri- 
soners at  Niagara,  and  among  the  Indians  in  that  -country,  was 


Hi         ' 


l:> 


h '" 


1778.] 


MRS.  Campbell's  captivity. 


387 


uniformly  characterised  by  humanity.  One  ])roof  of  this  dis- 
position was  afforded  in  the  case  of  Colonel  Stacia,  whose  de- 
struction had,  for  some  reason  or  other,  been  determined  upon 
by  Molly  Brant,  the  Indian  wife  of  Sir  William  Johnson  ;  who, 
in  her  widowhood,  had  been  taken  from  Johnstown  to  Niagara.* 
The  few  prisoners  from  Cherry  Valley  were  marched,  by  the 
route  already  indicated,  to  the  Seneca  country.  Mrs.  Camp- 
bell was  carried  to  the  Seneca  castle  at  Kanadaseago,  where 
she  was  -  presented  to  a  family  to  fill  a  place  made  vacant  by 
the  death  of  one  of  its  members.  Her  children,  the  infant  in- 
cluded, were  separated  from  her,  and  distributed  among  differ- 
ent Indian  families.  Being  skilful  with  her  needle,  and  render- 
ing herself  Useful  to  those  with  whom  she  lived,  she  was 
treated  with  indulgence.  No  restraints  were  imposed  upon  her, 
and  she  was  even  gratified  in  her  desire  to  pay  a  due  regard  to 
the  Sabbath,  of  which  institution  they  were  ignorant.  Among 
other  little  civilities,  perceiving  that  she  wore  caps,  an  Indian 
presented  her  one,  which  was  cut  and  spotted  with  blood.  On 
a  closer  scrutiny,  her  feelings  were  shocked  by  the  discovery, 

•  "  Molly  Brant  had,  for  some  causo,  a  deailly  hostility  to  Colonel  Stacia.  Re- 
Bortinv  to  the  Indian  method  of  dreaming,  slie  informed  Colonel  Butler  that  she 
had  dreamed  that  she  had  the  Yankee's  head,  and  that  she  and  the  Indians  were 
kicking  it  about  the  fort.  Colonel  Bntler  ordered  a  small  keg  of  rum  to  be  painted 
and  given  to  her.  Thi!>,  for  a  short  time,  appeased  her ;  but  she  dreamed  a  second 
time  that  she  hiul  the  Yankee's  heml,  with  his  hat  on,  and  that  she  and  the  Indians 
were  kicking  it  about  the  fort  for  a  football.  Colonel  Butler  ordered  another  keg  of 
ram  to  be  given  to  her,  and  then  told  her  decidedly  that  Colonel  Stacia  should  not 
be  given  up  to  the  Indians.  Apart  from  this  ciFcumstance,  I  know  nothing  disreput- 
able to  Molly  Brant.  On  the  contrary,  she  appears  to  have  hsid  just  views  of  her 
duties.  She  was  careful  of  the  education  of  her  ehiUhen,  some  of  whom  were  re- 
spectably married." — CampbeWs  .ffniiah. — It  may  bo  added,  that  her  descendants 
*rom  Sir  William  .Johnson  compose  some  of  the  most  respectable  and  intelligent 
families  of  Upper  (/unada  at  this  day.  The  traditions  of  the  Mohawk  Valley  state, 
that  the  acquaintance  of  Sir  William  with  Molly  had  a  rather  wild  and  romantic 
commencement.  The  story  runs,  that  she  was  a  very  sprightly  and  very  beautiful 
Indian  girl  ol  about  sixteen  when  he  first  saw  hrr.  It  was  at  a  regimental  militia 
muster,  where  Molly  was  one  of  a  multitude  of  spectators.  One  of  the  field-officers 
coming  near  her  upon  a  prancing  steed,  by  way  of  banter  she  asked  permission  to 
mount  behind  him.  Not  supposing  she  could  perform  the  exploit,  ho  said  she  might. 
At  the  word  she  leaped  upon  the  crupper  with  the  agility  of  a  gtaelle.  The  horse 
sprang  otf  at  full  speed,  and,  clinging  to  the  officer,  her  blanket  Hying,  and  her  dark 
tresses  streaming  in  the  wind,  she  flew  about  the  parade-ground  swift  as  an  arrow, 
to  the  infinite  merriment  of  the  collected  multitude.  The  Baronet,  who  was  a  wit- 
ness of  the  spectacle,  admiring  the  spiiit  of  the  young  squaw,  and  becoming  ena- 
moured of  hor  person,  took  her  home  as  hii  wife. 


1  t  t 


^.11" 


:r' 


d- 


I 

t 


388 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1778. 


f    ■ 


from  the  mark,  that  it  had  belonged  to  the  lovely  companion 
of  her  youth,  the  hapless  Jane  Wells  ! 

After  returning  from  a  successful  expedition,  a  dance  of 
Thanksgiving  is  performed  by  the  Iroquois,  which  partakes  of 
the  character  of  a  religious  ceremony  ;*  and  Mrs.  Campbell  had 
the  opportunity,  soon  after  her  arrival  at  Kanadeseaga,  of  wit- 
nessing the  festival  in  honor  of  their  recent  victory,  of  which 
she  herself  was  one  of  the  trophies.  A  grand  council  was  con- 
voked for  this  purpose,  and  preparations  were  made  for  the  obser- 
vance of  the  festival,  upon  a  scale  corresponding  with  the  im- 
portance of  the  achievements  they  were  to  celebrate.  The  ar- 
rangements having  been  completed,  the  warriors  came  forth  to 
the  centre  of  the  village,  where  the  great  fire  had  been  kindled, 
horribly  disfigured  by  black  and  red  paint,  and  commenced 
their  savage  rites  by  singing  of  their  own  exploits,  and  those 
of  their  ancestors, — by  degrees  working  themselves  up  into  a 
tempest  of  passion  ;  whooping,  veiling,  and  uttering  every  hi- 
deous cry  :  brandishing  their  knives  and  war-clubs,  and  throw- 
ing themselves  into  the  most  menacing  attitudes,  in  a  manner 
terrific  to  the  unpractised  beholder.  There  was  no  prisoner 
put  to  the  torture,  or  attired  with  the  raven  death-cap  on  this 
oocasion;  t  but  the  prisoners  were  paraded,  and  the  scalps  borne 
in  procession,  as  would  have  been  the  standards  taken  in  civi- 
lized warfare  in  the  celebration  of  a  triumph.  For  every  scalp, 
and  for  every  prisoner  taken,  the  scalp-yell,  or,  as  it  is  some- 
times called,  the  death-halloo,  was  raised  in  all  its  mingled 
tones  of  triumph  and  terror.!  The  scalp-yell  is  the  most  ter- 
rific note  which  an  Indian  can  raise,  and  from  the  numbers 
that  had  fallen  during  this  expedition,  it  was  often  repeated. 
The  white  dog  for  the  sacrifice  was  then  killed ;  'the  oflTerings 
collected  were  thrown  into  the  fire ;  whereupon  the  dog  was 
laid  upon  the  pile  and  thoroughly  roasted.  The  flesh  was 
then  eaten,  and  the  wild  festival  closed. 

From  an  account  of  the  ceremonies  at  one  of  the  festivals,  of 


*  Heckewelder. 

t  The  Indians  do  not  often  put  their  prisoners  to  the  torture,  or  even  to  death — 
Beldom,  unless  when  they  have  sustained  great  losses,  or  when  some  of  their  war- 
riors  have  been  murdered.  The  torture  is  then  resorted  to,  to  glut  their  vengeance. 
— Htckexotldtr, 

1  Idem. 


ir 


1778.] 


THE    DOa   SACRIFICE. 


389 


which  Mrs.  Campbell  was  a  spectator  during  her  captivity,  she 
must  have  been  present  at  the  great  annual  feast  of  thanksgiv- 
ing and  remission  of  sin,  which  is  held  by  the  Senecas  and 
other  tribes  of  the  confederacy.  This  is  their  greatest  na- 
tional and  most  solemn  sacrifice.  It  is  invariably  held  at 
the  time  of  the  old  moon  in  January,  and  is  celebrated  with 
great  parade  ;  the  ceremonies  being  conducted  with  the  utmost 
order,  harmony,  and  decorum,  under  the  direction  of  a  large 
committee  appointed  for  that  purpose. 

The  festivities  continued  nine  days,  on  the  first  of  which 
two  white  dogs,  without  spot  or  blemish,  if  such  could  be  found, 
were  strangled  and  hung  up  before  the  door  of  the  council- 
house,  at  the  height  of  twenty  feet.  Not  a  drop  of  blood  was 
allowed  to  be  shed  in  compassing  their  death,  as  the  victims 
would  thereby  be  rendered  i.).fit  for  the  sacrifice.  After  the 
animals  were  killed,  and  before  their  aiispension,  their  faces 
were  painted  red,  as  also  the  edges  of  their  ears  and  other 
parts  of  their  bodies.  They  were  then  Jantastic  ily  de "orated 
with  ribbons  and  feathers,  rendering  them  as  bi :  itiful,  in  the 
eye  of  an  Indian,  as  possible.  Their  fancy  (iress  beinw  com- 
pleted, the  dogs  were  hung  up,  and  thr  tovemonies  of  llu;  frolic 
commenced.  In  the  course  of  the  fir  -t  di;/  every  lodge  in  the 
town  was  visited  by  the  committee,  each  member  being  pro- 
vided with  a  shovel,  with  which  he  removed  the  ashes  and 
coals  from  every  hearth,  and  scattered  them  to  the  winds.  In 
this  manner  the  fire  of  every  lodge  was  extinguished,  to  be 
re-kindled  only  by  striking  virgin  sparks  from  the  flint.  The 
discharge  of  a  gun  at  every  lodge  announced  that  the  work  of 
purification,  even  of  fire  itself,  had  been  performed ;  and  with 
this  ceremony  ended  the  labors  of  the  first  day. 

The  ceremonies  of  the  second  day  were  opened  with  a  dance 
by  the  committee,  after  wj.^c!.  dressed  in  bear-skins,  the  mem- 
bers visited  every  lodge,  waii  oaskets  to  take  up  alms — receiving 
whatever  was  bestowed,  but  particularly  tobacco,  and  other 
articles  used  for  incen  -<:>  in  the  sacrifice.  Two  or  three  days 
were  occupied  in  receiving  these  grateful  donations,  during 
which  time  the  people  at  the  council-house  were  engaged  in 
dances  and  other  recreations.  On  the  fifth  day  masks  were 
added  to  the  bear-skin  dresses  of  the  masters  of  the  festival, 
some  ludicrous  and  others  frightful,  in  which  they  ran  about 


'M.  ;l 


i 


I 


390 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1778. 


'■ 

t 

1 

\\l 


I 


' 


I 

I 


l,l(  s 


i 


the  village,  smearing  themselves  with  dirt,  and  bedaubing  all 
such  as  refused  to  add  to  the  contents  of  their  baskets  of  in- 
cense. While  thus  engaged,  the  collectors  were  supposed  to 
receive  into  their  own  bodies  all  the  sins  of  their  tribe,  how- 
ever numerous  or  heinous,  committed  within  the  preceding 
year. 

On  the  ninth  day  of  tlie  feast,  by  some  magical  process,  the 
sins  of  the  nation  thus  collected  were  transfused  from  the 
several  members  of  the  Committee  into  one  of  their  number. 
The  dogs  were  then  taken  down,  and  the  whole  weight  of  the 
nation's  iniquity,  by  another  magical  process,  was  transfused  into 
their  lifeless  carcasses.  The  bodies  of  the  dogs  were  next  laid 
upon  an  altar  of  wood,  to  which  fire  was  applied,  and  the 
whole  consumed — the  masters  of  the  sacrifice  throwing  the 
tobacco  and  other  odoriferous  articles  into  the  flames,  the  in- 
cense ascending  from  which  was  supposed  to  be  acceptable  to 
the  Great  Spirit.  The  sacrifice  ended,  the  people  all  partook 
of  a  bountiful  feast,  the  chief  article  of  which  was  succatash. 
Then  followed  the  war  and  peace  dances,  and  the  smoking  of 
the  calumet.  Thus  refreshed,  and  relieved  from  the  burden  of 
sin — at  peace  with  the  Great  Spirit,  and  with  each  other — the 
warriors  with  their  families  returned,  each  to  his  own  house, 
prej)arod  to  enter  upon  the  business  and  the  duties  of  another 
year  ;  the  chiefs,  during  the  festival,  having  carefully  reviewed 
the  past,  and  adjusted  their  policy  for  the  future.* 

Captain  Butler  liaving  returned  from  his  visit  to  General 
Haldimand,  with  permission  for  the  proposed  exchange  of  pri- 
soners, the  Colonel,  his  father,  proceeded  to  the  Seneca  castle 

♦  Tlic  rcminincriicen  of  Mrs.  Cnnipbell  BCi»rc«?ly  allowed  hor  to  jjivd  i\w  particulars 
oTthii  grout  IVftital  ini.'Xtcns  >,alllioiigli8hi!B0i'mH,rrorntliuAnnnlfi  of  hor  grandson, 
to  have  rutaiiiL'd  u  ruinoinliraiico  of  thu  leading  |H)iiitn  of  the  ccroinonici.  The  au- 
thor has  su|)|>liod  the  defii  imicius  of  her  account  from  the  hfuof  Mrs.  Jemison.  Tht 
sacrifieo  uf  dogs  is,  wo  hehiivc,  nnivorsnl  nnion<j;  thu  North  American  Indians.  How 
long  the  practice  has  previilod  cannot  well  bo  known.  Cotton  Mather  afTirins, 
"that  the  Indians,  in  their  wars  with  us,  (hiding  a  st)re  inconvenience  by  our  dog», 
sacrificed  a  i/o^  to  lUo  dtvil;  iiflcrwiiicli  no  /''ii^-Zu/t  dog  wmiUI  bark  at  an  Imlian 
fur  divers  monllis ensuing."  Magualia,  iii.  I'.H.  What  interpreter  the  devil  had  on 
these  occasions,  do<;s  not  appear.  Tliat  he  di<l  not  untlerstand  tliu  Indian  tongue,  i" 
manifest  from  the  sa ; no  writer :—"  Once  finding  that  the  Dirnutni,  in  a  iiossesscil 
yriung  woman,  understoiMl  the  IMin,  ISrttl-,  and  IMrtw  tongues,  my  curi«»sity  in- 
ducofi  mo  to  make  trial  of  this  Indwn  language,  uiid  llio  Ditinons  did  suuiii  aa  ifUiejr 
did  not  understand  it." — SumU. 


1778.] 


MRS.  Campbell's  captivity. 


391 


to  negotiate  for  the  release  of  Mrs.  Campbell.     The  family  by 
whom  she  had  been  adopted  were  very  reluctant  to  part  witli 
lier  ;  but,  after  the  holding  of  a  council,  the  strong  appeals  of 
Colonel  Butler,  who  was  anxious  for  the  release  of  ills  own 
wife  and  family,  prevailed.     Mrs.  Campbell,  however,  had  been 
pledged  to  a  Genesee  family,  whither  she  was  shortly  fo  be  re- 
moved ;  and  as  her  liberation  could  not  be  completed  without  tlio 
consent  of  that  family,  Guyangnahta,  the  aged  king  of  tha 
Senecas,  who  had  become  her  zealous  friend,  mode  the  journey 
to  the  Genesee  on   her  behalf.     Ho  was  successful,  and  iMrs 
Campbell  was  removed  to  Niagara.     The  aged  king,  being  too 
old  to  go  out  upon  the  war-path,  had  borne  no  part  in  the 
l)cndiiig  hostilities.     He  seemed  little  disposed  to  evil,  and  on 
parting  with  the  fair  captive  bade  her  an  alfectionate  liueweK 
in  the  words  following  : — ''  I'ou  are  about  to  return  to  your 
•'  home  and  friends,"  said  the  venerable  sachem.     "  I  rejoioj 
"  You  live  a  great  way  olF,  and  many  journies  from  here.     I  am 
"  an  old  man,  and  do  not  know  that  I  shall  live  to  the  end  of 
"  the  war.     If  I  do,  I  will  come  and  see  you."*     Mrs.  Ciunp. 
bell  reached  Niagara  in  June,  1779.     While  residing  tliert; 
nmong  others  she  had  an  op[)ortiuiily  of  seeing  the  celebrated 
Catharine  Montour,  whose  name  occurs  in  the  ])recediiig  pages 
in  connexion  with   the  battle  of  Wyoming.     One  of  her  two 
sons,  who  had  signalized  themselves  at  Wyoming,  was  also  in 
the  affair  at  (!^herry  Valley  ;  and  it  was  ho  who  made  j)risoner 
of  Mr.  (yannon,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Campbell,  after  he  had  been 
wounded  by  a  musket  ball.     Being  a  Wiiig  of  consideration 
and  also  a  member  of  the  Committee!  of  Safety,  it  was  deter 
mined  to  retain  Mr.  Camion  in  captivity,  for  the  purpose  of  ex 
changing  him   for  some  one  of  their  own   men  of  like  conse- 
quence.    But  his  age  and  his  wountl  rendered  him  an  incon 
venient  prisoner,  and   Kale  Montour  was  in  a  rage  with   lie 
son  for  not  having  killed  him  outright.     Yet,  notwithstanding 
this   exhibition  of   a    savage  temper,  she  was    treated   will, 
marked  consideration  by  the  British  olllcers. 

It  w{.',  not  until  June  of  the  following  year  that  Mrs.  Camp- 
bell  was  sent  from  Niagara  to  Montreal,  on  lier  way  home 
AViiile  residing  at  the  former  post,  the  Indians  having  been 


*  CBin|>lM<ll'i  Annala. 
61 


392 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1778. 


Ill  J 


urn  .n 


"t 


■,r 


m  ( 


driven  into  the  fort,  she  was  ennbled  to  recover  three  of  her 
children.  On  her  nrrivaT  ut  Montreal,  she  met  with  Mrs.  But- 
ler and  her  family,  who  hud  boon  previously  released.  Here, 
also,  and  in  charge  of  that  lady,  Mrs.  ("ampbell  found  her 
fourth  cliild,  a  liltlo  son  who  had  been  torn  from  her  in  the 
Cherry  Valley  massacre.  He  was  dressed  in  the  n;reen  uniform 
of  Butler's  rangers;  but  had  forgotten  the  English  language — 
speaking  nothing  but  Indian.  From  Montreal  Mrs.  Campbell 
was  sent  to  All^any  l»y  the  way  of  Itiike  Chajnplain,*  where  she 
was  shortly  afterward  joined  by  her  husband,  who  had  been 
stationed  at  Fort  Schuyler  most  of  the  time  during  her  captivity. 
The  destruction  of  Cherry  Valley  closed  the  warlike  opera- 
tions of  both  nations,  in  the  North,  for  that  year.  A  formida- 
ble cami)aign  had  indeed  been  projected  early  in  the  season,  as 
has  heen  already  stated,  not  only  against  the  hostiles  of  the  Six 
Nations,  but  likewise  against  the  nations  more  remote,  for 
whom  Detroit  was  the  common  centre.  But  the  larger  half  of 
this  enterprise  bad  been  abandoned  after  the  irruption  into 
AVyoining,  and  the  next  project  contemplated  the  invasion  of 
•  he  Seneca  country  by  way  of  the  Tioga  and  Chemung  rivers. 
In  October  liiis  bnmch  of  the  project  was  likewise  deferred,  at 
the  suggestion  of  Generals  Gates  and  Schuyler. 

*  On  hf-r  wiiy  fiotn  Montreal,  n  viiiirfy  of  circiirnsliinccs  nnfl  incidrnts  mtiTvonod 
to  liuniss  MrH.  C'liiiiplii  U  tnxl  tlm  prisoners  rclnrninj;  ifi  her  coinpnny,  and  to  rctiird 
tlii'ir  projin^sd.  Slui  lm<l  licoii  ihtuiru'd  four  months  nt  Moiilri'ul,  nnd  thcBO  ndili- 
lional  (l(l(iy-t  wern  fxcvcdin^ly  vrxiitioiiH.  Di  forii  thiir  (Icpnrhiro  from  frown 
Point,  a  rumor  hud  rrachcd  the  Anicririin  n'tircn  of  Ihi-  li\k<',  from  Ti('ondcroi>ii  to 
Ski-ncshoroMiih,  Ihat  another  oxptMhtion  whs  aliout  to  he  nnderlnken  from  C'HH'ida 
ajjninst  Niw-"\'orii,  and  the  inhiil)itants  had  hei-nmo  not  n  hllln  ainrmrd  ut  ihe 
proipi'ct.  It  happened  that  ihe  men  in  the  hatteanx  eontiiinmj;  (he  priHonern,  were 
clad  in  lil.inket  enatn,  nnd  fomeof  iho  wonu  it  wore  red  clniikM.  A  ceniil  hud  di.'<co- 
>ereil  tlii'm  on  ihe  lake,  and  lidiin;;  then)  for  n  party  of  Indian"  nn<l  Tories,  irnve  tho 
alarm,  and  In  lore  their  iirrival,  inoii'  than  a  ihiniMand  men  hurl  rolle<-ted,  iii<dcr  Col. 
Illhnti  Alle'i.  Whih.'  Ktoppin<{  at  ii  xmidi  fortrenn,  ei^^ht  milex  from  ( 'imtli  Ion,  it  wnsi 
unnoimei>d  llmt  a  llai;  wnj«  approaelriiiif.  It  was  -•nppoHi'd  to  he  sent  to  demnnil  tho 
smreiriler  of  the  fortri'Ms.  (.nl.  I  lerriek,  of  ihe  inhtia,  ^trireli  Iih  i<word  ijion  iho 
jiroiiiid  with  Kirr  h  forre  Ihnt  he  hroke  it  in  piece*,  sayinii  if  «hoidi|  not  he  «nrrendered, ' 
Col.  .Mien  lolil  the  prisoners  that  tiiey  Mhon'd  not  asjnin  fall  iirto  the  hande  of  the 
f*nnipv.  arrd  imniedialely  momrtM\!{  th<  in  upon  hor^elniek,  Kent  Ihem  olF  towuni 
Alhuiiy,  will)  an  exeort  of  n  hundred  men.  TliiM  llii;;  was  nent  for  tlio  foliowitiK 
reaHoii! — It  had  heen  rumoreil  llmt  the  inhiihiliintu  in  that  dertinn  hadsiid  llmt  if 
thev  wrre  not  proleeleil  "Vom  the  iirenr-iionn  of  the  IndiariM  •ml  'I'orien,  tiny  would 
Hcek  |irn|eeli(>ii  i  hiewhen*.  It  ix  perhapN  neetllcM*  to  add  llint  \h\n  (la^  wnn  nent  to 
(ilTI'r  Ihem  ihe  proteclion  of  (Ireat  nrilain — n  proponilion  wlueh  wbs  of  cuiirco  ro> 
fuiuil. —  ^'ll>l^^lhlU'^  ,'lniiiih. 


1778.] 


STR    JOHN    JOHNSONS    IRON    CHEST. 


393 


'iioi! 
rcliinl 
nildU 
rowrt 
i;ii  to 
ti'uln 
it   the 

were 
ili  •"(•()- 
vo  tlio 

Col. 
it  wim 

il  till) 
II   llio 

lIcTI'd.  ' 

.r  thr 
wanl 

llWtll)^ 

lliaf  if 

M'lllllll 
lent  (o 
HU    TO' 


Meantime,  notwithstandinj^  that  these  enterprises  had  succes- 
sively fallen  to  the  ground  for  want  of  "  tiic  sinews  of  war," 
Congress  had  been  projecting  another  stupendous  campaign, 
comprehending  a  simultaneous  attack  upon  the  whole  northern 
range  of  British  possessions,  from  Cape  Breton  and  Newfound- 
land to  Detroit.  The  French  ileet  was  to  co-operate  by  at- 
tacking the  islands  and  territories  at  the  estuary  of  the  St. 
Lawrence;  while  the  Americans  were  lo  send  an  army  to  De- 
troit, another  to  Niagara,  a  third  to  Osweim,  and  a  foin-th  against 
Montreal  by  the  way  of  St.  Francis.  It  is  needless  to  add,  thai 
although  Congress  had  arranged  all  the  details,  the  moment 
the  plan  was  laid  before  the  C'Ominander-in-ehitif,  who  had  not 
previously  been  consulted  in  the  pnMuises,  it  was  necessarily 
laid  aside.  In  the  first  place,  the  nation  had  not  thcMneaiis ; 
and  in  the  second,  C-ongress,  in  arrantrinij  matters  for  this 
splendid  undertaking,  had  forirottcn  that  they  were  to  leave  Sir 
Henry  Clinton,  and  all  the  British  forces  in  New-York,  and  at 
the  South,  computed  at  the  least  at  seventeen  tliotisanrl  men,  be- 
hind I  Thus  closed  the  Northern  campaigns  of  1778.  The 
British,  Tories  and  Indians  went  into  winter-(piart«>rs,  anti  tlio 
frontier  inhabitants  disposed  of  themselves  as  best  they  could. 

Much  has  been  said  in  the  traditions  of  Tryon  Comity,  and 
somewhat,  also,  in  the  courts  of  law,  in  cases  involving  titles 
to  real  estate  formerly  in  the   family  of  Sir   William  .lobn- 
son,  respecting  the  burial  of  an  iron  chest,  by  his  son  Sir  .lolm, 
previous  to  his  llight  to  (,'anada.  conlainiuir  the  most  valiuible  of 
iiisown  and  his  father's  pa|)i'rs.     Late  in  the  Autumn  of  the  pre- 
sent year,  Ceneral  llaldimand,  at  the  retiuesi  of  Sir  John,  sent 
a  parly  of  between  forty  and  (ifty  men  i)rivately  to  Johnstown, 
to  dig  up  and  carry  the  chest  away.     The  expeililion  was  su 
cessful ;  but  the  chest  not  being  sulRcieully  tight   to  prev  lit 
the  influence  of  dampness  from  the  earth,  the  papers  had  be- 
conje  mouldy,  rotten,  and  illegible,  when  taken   up.     'IMie  in- 
formation respecting  this  expedition  was  derived,  in  the  Spring 
following,  from  a  man  named  ilelmer,  who  oompo.sed  one  of  the 
party,  and  assisted  in  disinterring  the  chest.     Ilelmer  had  lied  to 
Canada  with  Sir  John.     While  retiring  from  Johnstown  with 
the  chest,  he  injured  his  ankle;  and  by  reason  of  his  lameness, 
went  back  to  his  father's  house,  where;  he  reniaintid  eoneealed 
until  Spring,  wlicu  ho  wus  urrcslud.     He  was  tried  as  a  spy 


'  i'l 


il  " 


t 


394 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[177$. 


m 


%v 


'M.^ 


il  •  : 


'V 


I! 

1 1 

f 

I 

r  ( 

h 

I  8 


it       > 


by  a  court-martial,  at  Johnstown,  April  15, 1779,  and  sentenced 
to  death— chiefly  on  his  own  admissions  to  the  court.  A  con- 
siderable number  of  rather  summary  executions,  by  the  Whigs 
of  Tryon  County,  took  place  in  the  course  of  the  contest.* 

The  leading  military  events  occurring  in  other  parts  of  the 
country,  during  the  year  1778,  have  already  been  incidentally 
adverted  to,  with  the  exception  of  those  that  transpired  at  the 
South.  In  the  month  of  June,  the  Earl  of  Carlisle,  Governor 
Johnstone,  and  William  Eden,  Esq.  who,  in  conjunction  with 
General  and  Lord  Howe,  had  been  appointed  Commissioners 
to  make  another  attempt  to  treat  with  the  Colonies,  arrived, 
and  sent  their  instructions  to  Congress.  A  Ictte*  from  the 
President  was  despatched  in  reply,  rebuking  the  Commissioners 
for  the  language  indulged  by  them  in  regard  to  the  King  of 
France,  our  ally,  and  again  peremptorily  refusing  to  entertain 
a  negotiation,  except  upon  the  basis  of  independent  Slates.  On 
the  Gth  of  August,  M.  Gerard  was  publicly  received  as  Minister 
Plenipotentiary  of  the  King  of  France— to  the  great  joy  of  the 
American  people;  and  on  the  lllh  of  September,  Dr.  Benja- 
min Franklin  was  appointed  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  the 
Court  of  Versailles. 

In  tlie  course  of  the  Summer,  two  incursions  of  British  regu- 
lars, and  American  refugees  had  been  made  from  Florida  into 
Georgia.  Both  expeditions  met  with  such  disheartening  ob- 
stacles, as  to  induce  their  retreat  without  accomplishing  more 
than  the  destruction  of  the  church,  dwelling-houses,  and  rice- 
fields  of  Midway.  In  return  for  these  visitations.  General 
llol)(>rt  Howe  led  an  expedition  of  about  two  thousand  men, 
mostly  militia,  into  Florida.  He  raptured  the  British  posts  on 
the  St.  Mary's  river,  a»»d  was  pioceeding  successfully,  when  his 
march  was  arrested  by  sickness,  so  fatal  to  his  army  as  to 
cojnpel  a  relinquishment  of  the  enterprise.     Toward  the  close 

♦  Thin  iiiflirniHlion,  in  iTgiird  la  tlu'  rt'covny  oCilic  iron  clionf,  is  derived  from  the 
minutes  of  llic  eouit-nmitinl,  iimoiii;  llm  (miju  tk  of  tiiii,  Clinton.  The  MS.  narra> 
five  (ifjiicnli  SinnuKMH,  in  the  iiutlior's  |piisHr>.-<iiin,  KtutiM  tiial  Ihu  ohcut  waa  dug  up 
during  u  ni<;hl  in  May,  177H,  l.y  Li,  ul.  Cri.wfdid,  tit  thi«  h.  iid  of  forty  mon  sonl 
from  ('iina(l.t  Pir  thiit  imrposf.  .SiunnionM  then  lnM  a  Ihuho  of  the  Jojmitnn  fnnn 
from  (he  rominitteu  of  He<iiieKtriitionH.  The  ehexl  Imd  hern  l)uried  himouth  ono  of 
tliejyuden  widkn,  Siwnnion^  dineovered  il  in  the  morning,  with  the  fru;rmonta  of 
jmiieri*  Ncattered  around  if.  l\ut  bh  he  wrotn  hiit  narrative  hinj{  uflorwurd,  Uio  urubu* 
btlity  ia  that  ihu  date  |;ivcn  on  the  tiiul  of  lluhnor  ia  (ho  (ruo  ona. 


\  f 


1778.] 


CLOSE    OP   THE    YEAR. 


30S 


the 
irra> 


of  the  year,  the  British  Commander-in-chief  determined  td 
strike  a  si<i^nal  blow  against  the  South.  For  this  purpose  an 
expedition  of  two  thousand  men,  under  the  command  of  Colo- 
nel Campbell,  an  officer  of  courage  and  ability,  embarked  at 
New- York  on  the  27th  of  November,  destined  against  Savan- 
nah. After  a  passage  of  three  weeks,  Colonel  Campbell  landed 
near  the  mouth  of  Savannah  river.  General  Howe,  to  whom 
the  defence  of  Georgia  had  been  confided,  had  but  six  hundred 
regular  troops  and  a  few  hundred  militiato  oppose  the  invaders. 
This  officer  had  taken  a  position  between  the  landing  and  the 
town,  where  a  battle  was  fought  on  the  29th  of  December. 
J[e  was  out-numbered,  out-generalled,  and  beaten,  with  a  loss 
of  one  bundrod  killed.  The  town  and  fort  of  Savannah,  thirty- 
eight  officers,  foiu'  hundred  and  fifteen  privates,  twcnty-throo 
mortars,  together  with  the  shipping  in  the  river,  and  a  largo 
quantity  of  ammunition  and  provisions,  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  conquerors.  It  was  an  easy  victory  to  the  enemy,  whoso 
loss  was  but  seven  killed  and  nineteen  wounded, 

From  these  glimpses  of  the  events  of  the  year  1778,  occurring 
elsewhere  than  in  tin;  Indian  country,  it  seems,  after  the  battle 
of  Monmouth,  to  have  been  a  season  of  comparative  inactivity 
on  both  sides.  Still,  having  repossessed  tlHunselves  of  the  strong 
jiass  of  the  Highlands  inunediately  after  the  return  of  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  and  Commodore  Tlotham  to  New- York,  toward  the  close 
of  the  preceding  year,  no  lack  of  industry  was  exiiibited  on  the 
part  of  the  Americans  in  strengthening  and  nniltij)lying  its  de- 
fences, from  which  neither  force  nor  treachery  ever  again  dis- 
lodged them.  The  prosecution  of  those  works  had  been  origi- 
inilly  entrusted  to  General  Putnam  ;  but  the  advanced  age  of 
that  patriotic  officer  had  rendered  him  less  active  than  formerly, 
and  he  hud  become  unpopular  in  New-York — mainly  from  an 
injpression  that  a  more  energe.ic  connnander,  stationed,  as  ho 
was,  with  an  arnjy  at  Fishkill,  and  apprised  of  the  approach  of 
Sir  Henry  Clinton,  would  have  saved  Forts  Clinton  and  Mont- 
gomery, ny  directions  from  the  Connnandei-in-chief,  therefore, 
the  Coimeeticut  veteran  iiad  been  transferred  back  to  his  own 
State,  u])on  a  dilferent  service. 


I' 


Ji»' 


1 


i^: 


i^LXAf 


^vvlll. 


I'm 


i  ' 


Indian  siege  of  Fort  Laurens — Successful  stratagems — Flight  of  the  pack-horses — 
The  fort  abandoned — Projected  enterprise  from  Detroit — Gov.  Hamilton  captured 
at  St.  Vincent  by  Col.  Clarke — irojects  of  Brant — Uneasiness  in  the  West  of 
New- York — Deliberations  of  the  Oneidaa  and  Onondagas — Brant's  projects  de- 
feated— Treachery  of  the  Onondagas — Colonel  Van  Schaick  marches  to  lay  waste 
their  towns — In^^truclions  of  General  Clinton — Passage  of  Wood  Crock  and 
Oneida  Lake — Advance  upon  the  Indian  towns — Their  destruction — Return  of 
the  expedition  to  Fort  Schuyler — Mission  of  tlif  Oneidaa  to  Fort  Schuyler  in  be- 
half of  the  Onondagas — Spt-echof  Good  Peter — Reply  of  Colonel  Van  Schnick — 
Irruption  of  Tories  and  Indians  into  the  lower  Mohawk  country— Stone  Arabia — 
Defence  of  his  house  by  Captain  Richer — The  Indians  in  Schoharie — General 
Clinton  traverses  the  Mohawk  valley — M'Clellan's  expedition  to  Oswegatchie — 
Unsuccessful — Irruption  of  the  Onondagas  into  Cobleskill — Defeat  of  the  Ame- 
ricans— The  st'ttliTiicnt  dcislroyed — Murders  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Pitt — 
Irruptions  of  Tories  into  Warwarsing — Invasion  of  Mitii^ink — Buttle  near  the 
Delaware — Massacre  of  the  Orange  County  militia — Battle  with  the  Shawanese. 

The  erection  of  an  advanced  post,  called  Fort  Lanrens,  on 
the  Tuscarawa,  by  General  M'Intosh,  wlio  was  directed  to  ad- 
vance upon  the  Indian  towns  of  Sandusky,  has  been  mentioned 
in  a  preceding:  chapter.  Colonel  Gibson,  who  had  been  left  in 
command  of  the  fort,  with  a  garrison  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
men,  soon  found  liis  position  rather  uncomfortable,  by  reason 
of  the  swarms  of  Indians  hoveriiifj  about  the  precincts,  who  soon 
became  so  numerous  as  completely  to  invest  the  little  fortress. 
The  first  hostile  demonstration  of  the  forest  warriors  was  exe- 
cuted with  equal  cunning  and  success.  The  horses  of  the 
garrison  were  allowed  to  forage  for  themselves  upon  the  herbage, 
among  tlie  dried  pniirie-grass  innnediately  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  fort—wearing  bells,  that  they  might  be  the  more  easily 
found  if  straying  too  far.  It  liappened  one  morning  in  .January, 
that  the  horses  hiid  all  disappeared,  but  the  bells  were  heard, 
seemingly  at  no  great  distance.  They  had,  in  truth,  been  stolon 
by  the  Indians,  tuid  conveyed  away.  The  bells,  however, 
were  taken  otf,  and  used  for  luiother  purpose.  Availing  them- 
.selves  of  the  tall  prairie-grass,  the  Indinns  formed  nn  ambus- 
cado;  at  the  farthest  extremity  of  which  they  caused  the  bells  to 
jingle  as  a  decoy.  The  artifice  was  successful.  A  party  of 
sixteen  men  was  .^ont  in  pursuit  of  the  straggling  steeds,  who 
fell  into  tile  snare.     Fourteen  were  killed  upon  the  spot,  ond 


f  •! 


^»m, 


1779.] 


SIEGE   OP   PORT   LAURENS. 


397 


the  remninino^  two  taken  prisoners,  one  of  whom  returned  at 
the  close  of  the  war,  and  of  the  other  nothing  was  ever  heard.* 
Toward  evening  of  the  same  day,  tlie  whole  force  of  the  In- 
dians, painted,  and  in  the  full  costume  of  war,  presented  them- 
selves in  full  view  of  the  garrison,  hy  marching  in  single  files, 
though  at  a  respectful  distance,  across  the  prairie.  Their  num- 
ber, according  to  a  count  from  one  of  the  bastions,  was  eight 
hundred  and  forty-seven — altogether  too  great  to  be  encountered 
in  the  field  by  so  small  a  garrison.  After  this  display  of  their 
strength,  the  Indians  took  u  position  upon  an  elevated  piece  of 
ground  at  no  great  distance  from  the  fort,  though  on  the  op- 
posite side  of  the  river.  In  this  situation  they  remained  seve- 
ral weeks,  in  a  state  rather  of  armed  neutrality  than  of  active 
hostility.  Some  of  them  v  n\\d  frequently  approach  the  fort 
sufficiently  near  to  hold  conversations  with  those  upon  the 
walls.  They  uniformly  professed  a  desire  for  peace,  but  pro- 
tested against  the  encroachments  of  the  white  people  upon  their 
lands — more  especially  was  the  erection  of  a  fort  so  far  within 
the  territory  claimed  by  them  as  oxclnsively  their  own,  a  cause 
of  complaint — nay,  of  admitted  exasperation.  There  was  with 
the  Americans  in  the  fort,  an  aged  friendly  Indian  named 
John  Thompson,  who  seemed  to  be  in  equal  favor  with  both 
parties,  visiting  the  Indian  encampment  at  pleasure,  and  coming 
and  going  as  he  chose.  They  informed  Thompson  that  they 
deplored  the  continuance  of  hostilities,  and  finally  sent  word 
by  him  to  Colonel  Gibson,  that  they  were  desirous  of  peace,  and 
if  he  would  present  them  with  a  barrel  of  flour,  they  would 
send  in  their  proposals  the  next  day.  The  flour  was  sent,  but 
the  Indians,  instead  of  fulfilling  their  part  of  the  stipulation, 
withdrew,  and  entirely  disappeared.  They  had,  indeed,  con- 
tinued the  siege  as  long  as  they  could  obtain  subsistence,  and 
raised  it  only  because  of  the  lack  of  supplies.  Still,  as  the  bc- 
Icaguerment  was  begun  in  stratagem,  so  was  it  ended.     Colo- 

•  TliP  lUv.  Mr.  Dotklridijc,  wliooo  lilllf  work  is  (li«'  milliority  for  all  lln'  fiictn  n^ 
Inlivo  to  Kort  LnurriiH,  Btnlcu  lliiit  Cnptniii,  iiflfrwarti  Ocnfral  HriiJgfl,  of  Viriiiiiin, 
bring  tlin  olVicnr  of  the  iliiy,  wiis  extccdiiiKly  diBirous  of  hcudiiig  the  party  m<iit  to 
l)rinj;  in  llii;  liordes,  hut  wuh  rtfiisod  ptTmiHsion  by  Coluntil  Ciihaoii,  who  ri'inurkcd, 
that  when  ho  had  occasion  to  send  out  n  coptuiiiN  cominnnd,  iio  Hhould  bo  tiiunkful 
for  his  snrviccs,  but  until  then,  he  uinnt  bti  coutrnt  to  disclinrs«  hin  duties  within  the 
fort.  "  On  wlmt  trifhng  circumstanccit,"  iiddH  liio  good  niiniBtcr,  "do  lilb  and  death 
HuuicliinvB  depend !" 


398 


LIFE    OP    BRANT. 


[1779. 


Ii      « 


nel  Gibson's  provisions  were  also  running  short,  and  as  he 
supposed  the  Indians  had  entirely  gone  off,  he  directed  Colonel 
Clark,  of  the  Pennsylvania  line,  with  a  detachment  of  fifteen 
men,  to  escort  the  invalids  of  the  garrison,  amounting  to  ten  or 
a  dozen  men,  back  to  Fort  M'Intosh.  But  the  Indians  had  left 
a  strong  party  of  observation  lurking  in  the  neighborhood  of 
the  fort;  and  the  escort  had  proceeded  only  two  miles  before  it 
was  fallen  upon,  and  the  whole  number  killed  with  the  excep- 
tion of  four — one  of  whom,  a  captain,  escaped  back  to  the  fort. 
The  bodies  of  the  slain  were  interred  by  the  garrison,  on  the 
same  day,  with  the  honors  of  war.  A  party  was  likewise  sent 
out  to  collect  the  remains  of  the  fourteen  who  had  first  fallen 
by  the  ambuscade,  and  bury  them ;  whic  service  was  per- 
formed. It  was  found,  however,  that  the  wolves  had  mostly 
devoured  their  flesh,  and  by  setting  traps  upon  the  new-made 
grave,  some  of  those  ravenous  beasts  were  caught  and  shot  on 
the  following  morning. 

The  situation  of  the  garrison  was  now  becoming  deplorable. 
For  two  weeks  the  men  had  been  reduced  to  half  a  pound  of 
sour  flour,  and  a  like  quantity  of  oiFensive  meat,  per  diem  ;  and 
for  a  week  longer  they  were  compelled  to  subsist  only  upon  raw 
hides,  and  such  roots  as  they  could  find  in  the  circumjacent 
woods  and  prairies,  when  General  M'Intosh  most  opportjmely 
arrived  to  their  relief,  with  supplies,  and  a  reinforcement  of 
seven  hundred  men.  But  still  they  came  near  being  imme- 
diately reduced  to  short  allowance  again,  by  an  untoward  ac- 
cident causing  the  loss  of  a  great  portion  of  their  fresh  stipplies. 
These  supplies  were  trjinsported  through  the  wilderness  upon 
pack-horses.  The  garrison,  overjoyed  at  the  arrival  of  succors, 
on  their  approach  to  within  about  a  hundred  yards  of  the  fort 
manned  the  parapets  and  fired  a  salute  of  nuisketry.  But  tho 
horses  nmst  have  been  young  in  the  service.  Affrighted  at 
tho  detonation  of  the  guns,  they  began  to  rear  and  plunge,  and 
broke  from  their  guides.  The  example  was  contagious,  and  in 
a  moment  more,  the  whole  cavalcade  of  pack-horses  wero 
bounding  into  the  woods  at  full  gaflop,  dashing  their  burdens 
to  the  ground,  and  scattering  them  over  many  a  rood  in  all  di- 
rections—the greater  portion  of  which  could  never  be  recover- 
ed. But  there  was  yet  enough  of  provisions  saved  to  cause  the 
mingling  of  evil  with  tho  good.     Very  incautiously,  the  officers 


)  i'' 


1779.] 


EVACUATION    OF    FOUT    LAt'RENS. 


399 


dealt  out  two  days'  rulidns  per  man,  tife  whole  of  \vhich  was 
devoured  by  the  iiimishirto^  sddiers,  td  the  imminent  hazard  of 
the  lives  of  all,  and  resulting  in  the  severe  sickness  of  many. 
Leaving  the  fort  again,  General  M'Intosh  assigned  the  command 
to  Major  Vernon,  who  remained  upon  the  station  several 
months.  He,  in  turn,  was  left  to  endure  the  horrors  of  famine, 
iintil  longer  to  endure  was  death ;  whereupon  the  tort  was 
evacuated  and  the  position  abandoned — its  occupation  anci 
maintenance,  at  the  cost  oi"  gretit  fatigue  and  suffering,  and  the 
expense  of  many  lives,  having  been  of  not  the  least  service  to  the 
country. 

Originally  it  had  been  the  purpose  of  General  M'Intosh  ta 
penetrate  through  the  wilderness  (o  liuke  Erie,  and  thence 
rnalas  a  descent  tiptm  Pciroi',  ;  and  l>y  a,  liUrr  iioiii  tln'  Ciuii- 
mandcr-m-cliiet  to  ;•-  Coiuiuit'-;.'  nl'  ( '..Ml^lv,s:•i  appoiiiHul  lu  con- 
fer With  liun  upirll  luilitaiy  sui)i'j,:ts,  Jtstxniw  to  have  been  his 
opinion  that  jMiifo;'.!i  It. id  uiado  the;  bt.'sl  dis()osilioas  lor  the 
ent.erp^^:^^  whicli  the  fivcuiu-iaiit.T-.s  <A  liie  c;i.se  ullow^d.  j]ut 
ho  was  disappoujU;<l  m  lus  t-xpcclatious  ut' men,  provision.-,  aiul 
stores.  This  sc'L'ius  u>  havi:  biH'ri  uiir  ol  tiu»s(!  uuiU'.i'takings  by 
order  ot  Congress,  wuhoiU  con.sultatiuu  with  the  (Jouiui.uider- 
in-chief.  wliK^li  had  pri'vunisby  uiuioytd  him  not  a  liliic.  fcitill, 
it  received  Ins  ap[)roluUion,  the  )nure  reiidily  because  its  ilcbiifU 
was'ui  conicideuce  with  liis  own  views  ^>n  the  subject  of  Indian 
warfare — his  innlbrm  (/[Hiiiou  t)oiiig,  liiat  (he  cheapest  and  most 
cllectual  method  of  o|>pusiijg  them,  wa,>  to. carry  the  war  into 
iheir  own  country.  Hy  their  incur^jions  uito  the  liouticr  set- 
tlements, .so  lon,r  ;ib  the  Vmi-ricau-  wtif^  i-oiitent  to  act  on  the 
defensive,  the  iiiduuis  hadiittk;  lu  lost' and  evt?ry  tiling  to  gam  ; 
whereas  the  direct  reverse  would  be  the  consc(|uence  of  an 
oifeusive  war  against  tlKuii,* 

But,  notwithstanding  tlie  imtowaid  tt'siiit.  of  Gtiiieral  M'ln- 
losh's  expedition,  the  India:!  branch  of  the  .scrvic;;  opened  aus- 
pi(;iously  the  jm.'sunt  year  elsewhere,  and  lirst  in  a  ri'ijion  yet 
deeper  in  the  west  than  I'orl  Lauren.s.  (Jolonel  Maiuiltou,  the 
JJritish  Iji(Mitenant-(  Jovernor  of  Detroit—  a  r(nigh,  bad  tcniiiered, 
and  cruel  olficer,  who  had  signalised  himself  by  the  exertion  of 
a  malignant  mtluence  over  the  Indians — and  tuid    provoked 


h  \ 


H     <1 

1' 


♦  Letter  of  Wasluiigtoti  to  the  Coinmiltee  of  Congreas,  Jiin.  IS,  l7Vi). 


fllj 


H    ■/ 


400 


LIFE    OF    RflANT. 


[1779. 


them  to  take  up  the  liatchet  jtirainst  the  Americans  by  every 
possible  means — histigatin^'  them  to  deeds  of  blood  by  large 
rewards — had  projected  a  powerful  Indian  expedition  against 
the  Virginia  frontier,  to  be  executed  early  in  the  Spring.* 
With  this  design,  at  the  close  of  the  preceding  Autumn,  Hamil- 
ton left  Detroit,  and  took  post  at  St.  Yincentf*,  on  the  Wabash, 
in  order  to  act  earlier  and  more  efficiently  immediately  after 
the  breaking  up  of  WiiUcr.  IJut  his  purpose  was  most  happily 
defeated  by  a  blow  from  a  direction  wliicli  he  did  not  anticipate. 
Colonel  Clarke,  who  wa.s  yet  with  a  small  force  in  connnand  of 
Kaskas-kias,  having  learned,  in  February,  that  Hamilton  had 
weakened  himself  by  despatching  many  o(  his  Indians  in  dif- 
ferent directions  to  aimoy  the  fronti<:irs  of  the  States,  formed  the 
bold  resolution  of  attacking  him  in  his  (piarters.  After  a  diffi- 
cult movement  by  land  and  water,  at  the  head  of  one  hundred 
and  thirty  men,  Clarke  suddenly  arrived  before  St.  Vincents. 
The  town  at  once  subinitted ;  and  on  the  following  day,  Colo- 
nel Hamilton  and  the  garrison  surrendered  themselves  prison- 
ers of  war.  It  was  the  good  fortune  of  Colonel  Clarke  also  to 
intercept  and  capture  a  valuable  convoy  of  provisions  and 
.stores,  coming  to  St.  Vincents  from  Detroit.  Hamilton  was 
transferred  to  Virginia,  wlnn-e  the  Coinicil  of  the  Commonwealth 
instituted  an  inquiry  into  the  inliuman  conduct  imputed  to  him, 
and  his  confinement  in  irons,  on  a  diet  of  bread  and  AV'ater, 
was  recommended.t  The  plans  of  the  enemy  were  not  a  little 
disconcerted  by  this  small,  tliougli  brilliant  alTair  ;  and  peace 
with  several  of  the  Indian  tribes  in  that  direction  was  the  im- 
mediate consequence. 

In  the  mean  time,  and  Iwforo  this  disaster  belel  the  Detroit 
expedition,  some  bold  winter  em{)riso  was  projected  by  Joseph 
Brant,  M'hich— in  consequence,  probably,  of  tlu;  capture  of 
Hamilton— miscarried,  or  rather  was  not  attempted  to  be  put 
in  execution.  It  does  not  appear  what  the  measure  was  upon 
which  Brant  was  niedit;uing;  but  on  tin-  1st  of  Jamiary,  Colo- 
lonel  Van  Dyck,  then  in  command  of  Fort  Schuyler,  wrote  to 


♦  ShoiiM  nny  onn  «lotiIit  tlifi  propriety  of  spoaliing  tliiifi  linislily  in  history  of  this 
Colonel  Hninilloii,  let  liim  nnul  lh(!  "  Narriitive  of  the  captiirc  mul  froatment  of 
John  Dodgo,  l)y  the  Hritiah  at  i:)()lroit,"  publiahcil  in  Aim  oil's  Itfinoiiibrantei,  vol. 
VI.  pp.  7.1— 81. 

j  Ramsay. 


1770.]  AFFAIRS    AMONG    THE    SIX    NATIONS.  401 

General  Clinton,  ''  that  tlie  Oneidas  had  jnst  received  informa- 
"tion  that  the  enemy  seemed  determined  to  strike  some  capital 
"  blow  dnrincj  the  winter."  In  addition  to  an  appliciUion  from 
the  Cituiqnojra  Indians  to  join  them  in  the  expedition,  Colonel 
Van  Dyclv  stated  that  "  one  of  the  principal  Oneida  warriors 
"  had  received  a  private  letter  from  Joseph  Drant,  inviting  him 
"to  join  the  Six  Nations  with  his  adherents,  that  he  might 
"  avoid  the  danger  to  which  his  tribe  was  ex))osed."* 

There  is  reason  to  snppose  that  a  part  of  Brant's  project  was 
to  strike  a  blow  npon  the  Oneidas  themselves,  unless  they  could 
be  seduced  from  their  neutrality — aniountinff,  as  it  didj'Jdmost 
to  an  alliance  with  the  United  Stiltt^s.t  But  this  faithful  tribe 
were  ncnther  to  be  coaxoi^  nor  driven  from  tlu;  stand  they  liad 
maintained  since  the  b(>irnniing  of  the  controversy.  On  the 
lOth  and  I7th  of. January,  the  Oneidas  and  Tusraroras  held  a 
council,  to  deliberate  npon  tlu;  invitations  of  the  '-iuiquogas 
and  Captain  iJr;mt,  the  result  of  which  they  connnunicated  to 
Colonel  Van  Dyck  on  the  following  day.  'i'hey  informed  that 
efficient  ollieer,  that  after  jjiving  permission  to  any  of  their 
tribe,  who  desired  to  join  the  enemy,  to  withdraw,  there  was  a 
unanimous  resolution  of  the  council  "to  stand  by  each  other  in 
"defence  of  their  lives  and  liberty,  agiiinst  any  enemy  that 
"  might  be  disposed  to  attack  them  ;"  and  to  the  late  message  of 
the  (dniquoo-as.  they  unanimously  agreed  to  return  the  follow- 
ing answer,  viz  :  "  That  as  they  had  ever  behaved  themselves 
"  in  a  quiet,  and  peaceable  manner  toward  the  confederticy,  they 
"coiild  not  conceive  that  their  conduct  could  be  considered 
"reprehensible  by  them.  They  likewise  put  them  in  mind  of 
"  their  long  and  unwearied  ellorts  to  prevent  the  Six  Nations 
"  involving  tlumiselve^  in  the  calamities  of  war,  and  that  they 
"  had  exerted  themselves  so  far  as  by  their  inlluencc  to  relieve, 

♦  Pnpersof  Ocncra!  .Tii  ncs  Clinton. 

t  On  tlie  Otli  of  April,  1779,  Congress  passeii  a  rosolution  granting  the  conimiH- 
sion  of  Captain  to  four  of  tlie  Oneidiinnd  Tuscaroriilniliuns,  and  eight  lomniiasions  of 
Licutenunta.  Suhsequently.  the  thi-n  priiui|)n^  Oneida  chief, Lonia  Atayntaroughta, 
was  commissionL'd  a  Liniiti'tnuit-coioncl.  Lvxiia,  or  "Colonel  Lonis  "  as  he  was 
afterward  called,  was  the  representative  of  three  races,  heing  part  Indian,  part  negro, 
and  part  white  man.  A  few  oilier  coniniissioiia  were  isjsiied  to  those  Indiana  in  the 
course  of  the  war.  The  greater  number  served  faithlMJly.  Some  were  killed,  and 
three  of  the  lieutenants  deserted  to  I'le  « 'icxv,  and  excImn"od  their  commissions  for 
the  same  rank  in  th«  Brilish  «iTvico. 


I 


ti.'f 


■I 


i!r .  »i 


M^. 


V.    :. 


h 


m 


I 


f 

1      ':'■ 

i 
i       1 

1            i 

'1 
1 

i      ■; 

402 


LIFK    0I<'    HRANT; 


[1779. 


'  from  close  confinement,  some  of  their  people  whom  the  for- 
"tune  of  war  had  put  into  the  haiuls  >*  tljoh-  enemies.  But 
^*  that  they  now  utterly  despaired  ol  vv^v  heiiip-  a!)!e  to  effect  a 
"  reconciliation  between  the  Confederacy  .  iid  the  United  States ; 
"  and  tha4;  the  onJ.y  hope  tfjey  had  of  thei)i  was.  that  some  of 
*•'  them  would,  in  time,  aJDancloji  the  cause  thus  imprudently  es-. 
"  poused  ;  that,  they  would  never  violate  their  alliance  with  the 
'•'  American  States ;  and  though  they  would  not  be  the  aggressors,^ 
'•'or  wantonly  provoke  any  tribe  to  war,  yet  that  tiiey  should 
'•'henceforth  be  on  their  guard  against  ajiy  enemy  whatever." 

Sevd\i  of  the  principal  Onondaga  chiefs,  who  had  hitherto, 
becii  considered  as  neutrals,  being  at  the  time  in  Oneida,  on 
their  way  to  Fort  Schuyler,  it  was  determined  to  call  them  in 
to  the  council,  and  acquaint  them  with  the  above  resolution.  It 
was  accordingly  done  by  the  transmission  of  a  large  hlojpk  belt, 
of  wampujUf  The  Onondagas  replied,  "  That  they  were  very 
"  fflad  to  hear  the  resolution  which  their  children,  the  Oneidas. 
"  and  TuscaroraS)  hadi  made.  They  observed,  that  as  the^ 
"  Oneidas,  who  were  the  head,  of  the  confederacy,  had  com-. 
"  mitted  the  council-fire  and  tree  of  peace  to  their  care,  with  a< 
'.'  charge  to  guard  them  against  the  approach  of  any  thing  which, 
*.'  might  injure  either,  or  tend  to  interrupt  thp  harmony  of  the 
*.'  confederacy,,  they  had  therefore  invariably  pursued  the  path. 
*.'  oif  peace  ;  and  thpugh  they  had  been  desired  by  the  opposite. 
'.'  party  of  their  tribe  tp  extinguish  the  council-fire,,  yet  they 
"  had  refused,  nor  could  they  consistently  do  it  while  the 
"  Oneidas  retained  any  hopes,  of  accommodating  matters  in  the 
"Six  Nations.  But  as  the  heads  of  the  confederacy  had  de- 
"  clcu;ed( themselves  so.fuUy  upon  that  subject,  they  had  now  let 
"go  their  hold  of  peace,  extinguished  the  ccuncil-fire,  and, 
"  sunk  the  tree  into  the  earth ;  and  were  determined  to  join, 
"  their  children,  the  Oneidas  and  Tuscaroras,  to  oppose  any  in-- 
"  vader." 

The  Onondagas  farther  engaged,  upon  their  return  home,  to. 
Q^ect  fv  fiA^l.  sepajr.ation  ift.  their  tribe,  and  insist  that  every  one 
shouid  dPQJa^e  fpr  one  side  or  the  ot,hQr.  The  conduct  of  mosfc 
of  the  Onondaga^  had  been  from  the  first  equivocal — often 
openly  hostile.  But  those  present  at  this  council  manifested  a 
better  feeling,  and  joined  m  the  request  of  the  Oneidas  lor 
t^^qpps  to  aid  in  their  protection.     The  Oneidas,  on  this  occa- 


1779.]         DKSICXS    Af!A»Nf*-f    '*^HB    MOHAWK    VALLEY. 


103 


sion,  placod  sront  confidrnw  i»  Ihe  profesMons  of  their  Onon-. 
daga  brethren,  and  were  in  higli  spirits  ut  the  result  of  the 
council,* 

There  was  other  evidence,  noit  wly  of  the  intention  of  Thay- 
endiine«rea  to  malce  a  powerful  Indian  descent  upon  the  Mo- 
haw^k  during  this  winter,  but  of  the  supposed  fidelity  of  these 
Onondagas  to  the    United  States.    About  the  middle  of   Fe- 
bruary, General  Clinto)i,  liavins:  tlu'<>«gh  various  channels  and 
by  several  expi'esses,  received  infoirmiition  nt  Albany  of  such  a 
design,  marched  to  Schenectady  vvitli  Colonel  Van  Schaick's 
regiment,  ordering  the  latter  as  tiir  up  the  Mohawk  as  Caiigh- 
nawaga,  there  to  await  the  event.     On  the  26th  of  February, 
Captain  Copp,  of  Fort  Van  Dyck,t  wrote  to  Captain  Graham, 
then  in  cliargo  of  Fort  Schuyler,  announcing  that  two  of  the 
Oneida  messengers,  of  distinguished  (Indian)  families,  had  j»ist 
returned  frotn  Niagara,  where  they  had  obtained  positive  evi- 
dence of  Brant's  purpose.     The  Mohawk  chief  had  received 
expresses,  announcing  that  the  Shawanese  and  Delawares  were 
to  strike  a  simultaneous  blow  upon  the  frontier  of  Virginia  ;t 
Mad  Brant  himself  was  to  lead  the  main  expedition  direct  to  the 
Mohawk,  while  aanther  diversion  was  to  be  created  by  sending 
a  smaller  force  round  by  the  Unadilla,  to  fall   upon  the  settle- 
ments of  Schoharie.    In  regard  to  the  fideUty  of  the  Onondagas, 
it  was  stated  by  the  Oneida  chiefs  that  fourteen  of  tliat  nation 
had  been  despatched  to  Niagara,  by  tho  chiefs  of  the  tribe,  to. 
pursuade  their  brethren,  who.  had  taken  up  the  hatchet  with  the 
Mohawks,  to  return.     But  these  fourteen  mesi^engers  had  not 
been  permitted  to  come  back  themselves,  and  the  Onondagast 
were  apprehensive  that  they  and)  all  their  people  at  Niagara . 
had  been  made  prisoners.     The  uneasiness  in  Tryon  County 
vas  greatly  increased  under  these  ciiicumstarices.,    Major  .Teljes 
Fonda  wrote  to  General  (Clinton,  stating  that-  there  wekc  yet 
three  hundred  Tory  families  in  the  northern  part  of  that  settle- 
ment, affording  aid  and  comfort  to  the  hostile  refugees,  who, 
kept  up  a  continual  intercoijrse  with  them,  across  through  the- 
woods,  or  by  1  .ake  Champlain,  to  Canada.     For  greater  secu-. 
rity,  therefore,  he  urged  permission  to  build  a  strong  block-* 

♦  Gennral  Clinton's  correspondence— MS.  letter  of  Colonel  Van  Dyck.. 

t  In  the  Oneida  or  Onondaga  country. 

I  The  project  of  Colonel  Hamilton,  fruf>trated  by  his  capture. 


M    ^1 


401 


LIFE    OF    KRANT. 


[1779. 


i  I:      ' 

I!    IL  1 


4  )i 


•!.      !' 


' 


t< 


I 


n 


house,  and  station  fifty  rnnufPi's  within  it,  on  tlie  Sacondaga 
river,  directly  north  oC  Johnstown. 

Captain  llrant,  however,  cither  abandoned  or  deferred  the 
threatened  invasion,  probably  for  the  reason  already  indicateil 
— the  capture  oi'(/olon(!i  Hamilton.  'I'he  winler  consequently 
passed  awoy  without  any  serious  disturbance  in  that  region. 
But,  notwithstanding  ah  the  fair  professions  of  the  Onondiigas, 
their  treachery  had  become  alike  so  tnanilijst  and  so  injurious, 
as  to  render  it  expedient,  immediately  on  the  op(M»ing  of  the 
Spring,  to  miilce  tliem  a  siiriial  exiimnle  to  the  rest  of  tlieir  red 
brethren.  Accordingly,  early  in  April  an  expedition  was  de- 
tailed u|)on  this  service  by  General  Clinton,  with  tlii;  npprobn- 
tion  of  the  (yoinmander-in-chief,  consisting  of  (I'jtachments  from 
the  regiments  of  (I'olonels  Van  Schftick  and  (Ijuisevoort,  to  the 
number  of  five  himdred  men,  under  the  conduct  of  the  former. 
The  lrooj>s  were  mov(!d  as  expeditiously  as  possible  to  Fort 
Scliny  ler,  and  thirty  batteaux  were  simultaneously  ordered  tin  th<;r 
to  transport  them  down  Wood  Creek,  imd  through  the  Oneida 
Jiake  to  "^rhree  Uiveis.  Colonel  Viin  Sehiiick's  instructions 
were  very  full  and  explicit  upon  every  pomt.  The  design  was 
to  proceed  us  rapidly  and  cautiously  as  possible,  in  order  to  take 
the  Iiahans  by  surprise  ;  for  which  pm-pose,  on.tli(Mnorning  of 
the  d(;partur(!  of  llo  expedition,  it  was  to  be  annoiniced  that  its 
destiniition  was  against  Oswego.  Colonel  Van  Schaick  was  di- 
rected to  bmu  and  utterly  drslroy  the  village  and  cnstio  of  tho 
Onondagas,  together  with  all  their  cattle  and  elfccts  ;  hut  ho 
was  strictly  enjoined  to  make  as  many  prisoners  as  possible, 
ftud  put  none  to  d(!ath  who  could  be  takcdi  alive.  The  follow- 
ing j)assage  occurs  in  the  instructions  of  (Jeneral  Clin<on  on 
this  occasion,  which  is  worthy  of  ))reservation  : — '•  IJad  us  tho 
"  savag(>s  are,  they  never  violate  the  chastity  of  any  women, 
"their  prisoners.  Although  I  have  very  little  npprehensioa 
"  that  any  of  the  soldiers  will  so  far  forget  their  characiter  ns  to  • 
"attempt  such  a  crime  on  the  Indian  women  who  may  fall 
"  into  their  hands,  yet  it  will  be  well  to  tak(!  mcasin<!s  to  pre- 
"  vmit  such  a  stain  upon  our  juiny."*  'I'his  injunction  speaks 
volumes  in  praise  ol'  the  solilier  who  wrote  it.  Colonel  Van 
iSchaick  was  farther  enjoined  to  dissuade  any  of  our  Indian 

•  MH.  in»triiction»  of  0»«)oral  riintoii. 


1779.] 


DESTRUCTION  OF  ONOXDAOA. 


405 


allies  from  accompanying  him;  and  Lictitenant-C^'otoncl  Wii- 
lett  and  Major  Cochran  were  detailed  to  serve  in  the  ex- 
pedition. 

The  orders  to  Colonel  Van  Schaick  were  issued  on  the  9th 
of  April,  and  so  rapidly  were  the  necessary  arrangements  expe- 
dited, that  evtiry  thing  was  in  nnidiness  for  the  departure  from 
Fort  Schuyler  on  the  18th.  Dnriiiir  the  eveninir  of  that  day, 
the  hatteaux,  with  the  necessary  stores,  were  silently  n-inoved 
across  the  carrying-place  to  Wood  Creek,  and  all  things  there 
j)laced  in  order.  The  troops  were  early  in  motion  on  the  morning 
of  the  19th,  and  u  thick  mist  co'itrihutcd  essentially  in  covering 
the  movement,  had  there  heon  any  spies  lurkin<r  ahout  to  make 
observation.  The  nuuiher  of  m(  n  eiiilunkcd,  inchuhngollicers, 
Wiis  five  hundred  and  liily-eight.  'i'hcir  progress  to  die  Oni'ida 
Lake  was  considerably  impinled,  by  reason  of  trees  which  had 
fallen  across  the  creek  ;  so  that  n;ucliof  the  (irst  day's  journey 
was  performed  by  the  troops  oii  foot.  The  passage  of  the 
Oneida  Lake  was  ellecled  as  expeditiously  as  {;o.ssible  ;  and 
although  they  encountered  a  strong  and  e\'(;ssive!y  disagreea- 
ble head-wind,  they  nevc-rtheless  reached  the  Onondaga  Land- 
ing, o|)posi;e  to  old  l'\)rt  Hrewington,  wiih  (he  whole  llotilla,  by 
three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  2()lh.  Leaving  a  stiilable 
guard  with  the  boats,  the  little  army  pii.hed  immediately  for- 
ward, and,  dt-spite  the  obstacles  in  traversing  a  deep-tangled 
forest,  the  s(»il  resembling  a  morass,  they  marched  uww  miles 
without  halting.  The  night  was  dark,  wet,  and  cold  ;  but 
knowing  well  llie  wariness  of  the  enemy  and  the  celerily  ol 
their  movements,  and  how  fre([Mently  they  weri!  pre|)nre(l  to 
strike  when  least  expected,  the  troops  were  necessarily  pre- 
cluded from  kindling  fu'es,  and  obliged  to  sleep  on  their  nrniH. 
'IMie  march  was  resumed  very  early  on  the  morninir  of  the 
21st,  and  in  order  to  save  time,  they  were  obliged  1o  ford  an 
lU'm  of  the  Ononda^ja  Lake,  about  two  hundred  yards  widi; 
and  Ibiu"  feet  in  dej)ih.  Arrivin,'  at  the  estuary  of  Onondnya 
Creek,  at  the  head  of  the  lake,  ("ajitain  fJraham,  eonnnanding 
the  advanci'  guard,  captured  one  of  the  warriors  of  the  tribe; 
and  although  they  were  now  widiin  two  or  three  miles  of  Iho 
villajre  and  ensile,  tins  was  iIkj  fust  Indian  seen,  or  who  was 
ap|>ri.sed  of  the  approach  of  thi^  expedition.  ( 'aptain  (iiaham 
WU8  now  directed  a^ain  to  advance  with  all  possible  rajudily 


406 


LIB'E   OK   BRANT. 


[1779. 


fl 


and  caution,  for  the  purpose  of  surrounding  the  lower  castle, 
while  the  residue  of  the  main  force  was  divided  Snto  small  de- 
tachments, and  hurried  forward  for  the  purpose  of  falUp.g  upon 
the  other  towns,  in  such  rapid  succession  u;^,  if  possible,  to  take 
all  the  villages  by  surprise.  This  chain  of  villages  extended 
througli  the  valley  of  the  Onondaga  Creek  for  the  distance  of 
ten  miles.  The  tribe  liad  once  been  among  the  most  powerl'ul 
of  the  Aganuschiodi,  or  confederated  pCople  of  the  Five  Na- 
tions. Situated  in  the  centre  of  the  confederacy,  to  the  Onon- 
dagas,  lime  immemorial,  had  been  committed  the  keeping  of 
the  great  council  lire.  This  tire  had  been  extinguished  in 
1092  by  Count  Frontenac,  who  then  cAmo  again.st  it  at  the  lu-ad 
of  a  powerful  <.'xp»,'Jition  iVom  Moutr'.'-'l  and  utterly  destroyed 
the  village.  It  h;»d  again  been  put  out  in  the  Spring  of  1777, 
uikI  was  now  doomed  to  a,  (bird  ^fxiinclion,  ecfnaliy  suiuaiaiy 
ant!  f.oinplelc.  Willi  ihv  li)rnior.  Hut  althouiili  tlie  cxpfdition  ol 
Cclonol  Van  JSi-biiick  had  been  llms  liir,  and  was  throngiiont, 
a(t;iurably  coiiduftc-d,  yet  llit;  snrpnsu  was  not  a.s  a)iii|)k.lt'  a^s 
liiid  bbcn  init'ndt'd.  While  Captain  tirahatn's  company  wa.'j 
seen  ring  a  lew  |>nst»iit  ris  laUn  m  tliv-  ouisuiris  <u'  iln'  village, 
near  the  jirincipiil  castle,  ino.ms  wvrr  lound  by  the  wily  ad- 
versary to  give  I  Ik'  aliirni  in  advance  The  tidings,  ol  eoiu'se, 
llcw  from  village  |<)  village  with  greater  ra|)idily  than  the  se- 
veral (Iciaehincnts  of  troops  could  eipial,  and  iIkj  Indian.^  scal- 
ier* d  (ill  to  ihe  woods  in  all  direct Hin:<.  l]nl  snoli  was  the 
precipitancy  ot' their  tli^'ht,  that  they  tanieii  nothing  wilii  them 
•  •  not  even  their  arms.  Still,  thiiiy  three  of  their  ikumber  were 
taken  i»riso!iers,  and  twelve  killed.  Thrct;  villages,  consisting 
of  about  filly  houses,  were  bnrnl  to  the  ground  ,  mh\  a  lur^^v 
ipiantity  of  pr  'Visloii.s,  ctuisi.'^ting  chiolly  olbcarm  and  corn,  de 
.slruyed.  Nearly  oWi.'.  Iniiidrod  muskets  won;  tak<'n  among  the 
boo'y,  and  several  ride.s,  U)getlu:r  with  a  Considerable  qnanUty 
of /inmumition.  Their  swivel  at  the  eouncil-lton.se  was  rondereil 
u.^eless,  an.l  their  cattle  and  hordes  wore  destroyed.  The  w«nk  of 
destrn<:tion  having  been  conipleted,  the  detachment  immediately 
cointncuet'd  its  return  to  l-'ort  Schnyler.  Ii  was  (ired  upon  in 
tliH  alternoon  by  a  small  parly  of  hidiuns  in  the  woods,  but 
without  iniiiry,  whih  one  of  the  enemy  fell  by  tlu  reUnn 
fire.  On  Siituiday,  the  liUh,  the  troops  wore  all  back  again 
at  Fort  Schnylfr,  hiwin;^  iw^rformed  n  journey,  going  and  re- 


^j(F 


1779.] 


DESTRUCTION   OP   ONONDAGA* 


407 


turning,  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  miles,  and  effected  their 
object  without  the  loss  of  a  single  man.*  In  the  letter  enclds^ 
ing  Iiis  official  report  to  General  Clinton,  Colonel  Van  Schaick 
spoke  in  the  higliest  terms  of  the  good  conduct  of  the  i)(iicers 
and  soldiers  engaged  in  this  expedition  ;  and  bestowed  the 
warmest  encomiums  upon  Colonel  Willett  and  Major  Coclui«i. 
for  the  efficient  assistance  received  from  them. 

At  this  distance  of  time^  froui  ihe  very  inipertict  data  afford- 
ed by  written  history,  this  expedition  ngainst  the  Onoud.igas 
appears  like  a  harsh,  if  not  an  unnecessary  measure.  But) 
notwithstanding  the  professions  of  this  natinn,  those  in  the  di- 
rection of  public  affairs  at  that  period  unquestionably  felt  its 
chastisement  to  be  a  work  of  stern  necessity.  CJeucral  .Schuy- 
ler had  written  that  unless  some  exemplary  blow  should  be  in- 
flicted upon  the  hosliles  of  the  Six  Nations,  8<lieuect<i(ly  would 
shortly  become  the  boundary  of  the  Auiericau  sctllomculs  in  that 
direction.  The  enterjtrise  had,  moreover,  the  sanctiou  of  the 
\Jonnnander-in-chief ;  while  nothing  could  \v  more  humane,  in 
regard  to  a  warlike  expedition,  than  \\w  instructions  of  rjciicral 
Clinton.  But  no  small  tlegree  of  uneiusiness  was  nevertheless 
felt  by  the  Oneidas,  at  the  swift  destruction  wbieb  had  thus 
overtaken  the  principal  town  of  their  next-door  ut'ighbors  ;  imd 
it  was  not  long  after  the  return  of  Colonel  Vjm  Sehaiek  to  I'ort 
Schuyler,  lj«Hi>re  he  was  visited  by  a  formal  delegation  from  that 
nation.  At  the  head  of  the  «mba.ssag('  was  Skenandoah,  an 
important  sachem  of  the  trilx'  accompanied  by  {«ood  Peter,  the 
orator,  and  Mr.  Dcane,  the  )nter])reter.  The  ooject  of  this 
mission  was  an  inquiry  uito  l!" '  unsesof  the  movement  agiiinst 
the  Onondagas,  with  wliom,  is  bii.s  been  previously  remarked, 
the  Oneidas  were  clo.soly  'onnected  by  interninrriages.  I  {liv- 
ing been  introduced,  Ciooi!  I'eter  spo|.  •  ns  follows  : 

"Brotiiioh:  You  '.  <    before  you  some  of  your  iViend.s,  the 
Oneidas  ;  they  come  to  see  yon. 

.     "  The  engagemeiils  that  bavft  been  enter<  d  Into  between  us 
luid  our  brothers,  the  Aiucricans,  are  well  known  to  you. 

"  We  were  much    stuprii-^ed,  a   few  d.iys  )i<ro,  by  the  UewS 
which  i   warrior  brought  to  our  Ciistle  with  a  war  shout,  in 
forming  us  that  our  friends,  the  Onondages,  witc  destroyed. 


♦  Colonel  Van  Sclitick'*  report — paporr  »  f 'Icnoril  ('Union. 

5ij 


408 


UfE   OP   BRANf. 


[i77^. 


'\    , 

I,  i  ■' , 


m 


"  We  were  desirous  to  see  you  on  this  occasion,  as  they 
think  you  might  have  been  mistaken  in  destroying  that  part  of 
the  tribe. 

"  We  suppose  you  cannot  answer  us  upon  this  subject,  as 
the  matter  was  ag-reed  upon  belovr.  But  pcrluips  you  may 
know  something  of  this  matter.  , 

"  When  we  heard  of  this  accoimt,  we  sent  back  word  to  out 
friends  remaining  among  them,  telling  them  not  to  be  pale- 
hearted  because  some  of  them  were  destroyed,  but  to  keep  up 
wilh  their  former  engagen»cnts. 

"  We  sent  off  some  of  our  people  to  Cnnasaraga,  to  invite 
them  to  come  to  our  village  ;  liut  they  returned  an  answer  that 
they  had  sent  some  of  their  owni  runners  to  Onondaga,  to  learn 
the  particulars,  and  they  waited  for  their  return. 

"Our  people  brought  for  answer,  that  they  were  much 
obliged  to  their  children,  the  Oneid.is,  for  attending  to  them  in 
their  distresses,  and  they  would  be  glad  if  they  would  speak 
smoothly  to  their  brethren,  the  Americans,  to  know  whether 
all  this  was  done  by  design,  or  by  mistake. 

"  If  it  was  a  mistake,  say  they,  we  hope  to  see  our  brethren 
the  j)risoners — if  by  design,  we  still  will  keep  our  o?igagements 
with  you,  and  nof  join  the  King's  party.  IJut  if  oiir  brethren, 
the  Americiiiis,  mean  to  destroy  us  also,  we  will  not  fly — we 
will  wait  liere  and  receive  our  death. 

"  niioTM  i;u  :  This  was  the  answer  of  the  Onondagas.  As  for 
ns,  the  Oncidas  and  Tuscaroras,  you  know  our  sentiments. 
We  have  supposed  we  know  yours. 

"The  Commissioners  promised  us  that  when  they  fotuid  any 
thing  wrong,  they  would  tell  ns  and  make  it  right. 

"Hiiotiikh:  If  we  have  done  anything  wrong,  ^vo  shall 
now  l>e  glad  if  you  would  now  tell  ns  so."* 

At  the  end  of  each  sentence,  the  attenditig  snrhems  uttered 
the  nsiiol  sound  of  ap|)robMtion,  and  havitig  eon"lnd(Ml,  fJood 
Peter  resum«'d  his  seat.  The  address  was  that  of  a  diploma- 
list  ;  and  it  was  supposed  probablr  that  thf^  Onondagas  were 
themselves  at  the  bottom  of  the  cmbassiiy,  wilh  a  view  of  ob- 
taining infornjation  by  which  to  rfgtdate  their  future  coi:  Juct. 


•  Thn  S4<)ittji'niiry,  ft  collrrtion  of  rovoliilionnry  pnpcra  «>mirctiMl  with  the  burdor 
warn,  oditiNl  by  8.  Du  Witt  Itlixxlgoud,  Esq. 


irro.j 


INTRUCESSIOxV    OF    THE    ONEIDAS. 


409 


Equally  adroit  was  the  reply  of  Colonel  Van  Schaiclc,  given  in 
the  following  terms  : — 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  my  friends,  the  Oneidas  and  Tuscaroras. 
I  perfectly  remember  the  engagements  the  Five  Nations  entered 
into  four  years  ago,  and  that  they  promised  to  preserve  a  strict 
and  honorable  neutrality  during  the  present  war,  which  was 
all  we  asked  tliem  to  do  for  us. 

"  But  1  likewise  know  that  all  of  them,  except  our  brethren 
Uie  Oneidas  and  Tuscaroras,  broke  their  engagements,  and  flung 
away  the  chain  of  friendship.  But  the  Onondagas  have  been 
great  murderers;  we  have  found  the  scalps  of  our  brothers  at 
tlieir  Castle. 

"  They  were  cut  olf,  not  by  mistake,  but  by  desij^n — I  was 
ordered  to  do  it — and  it  is  done. 

"  As  for  the  other  matters  of  which  you  speak,  I  recommend 
a  deputation  to  the  Commissioners  at  Albany.  I  am  not  Ap- 
pointed to  treat  with  you  on  those  subjects. 

"  I  am  a  warrior.  My  duty  is  to  obey  the  orders  which  they 
send  me." 

No  farther  explanntions  appear  to  liavc  been  interchanged  ; 
and  the  Oneidas  were  perhaps  tl»e  more  readily  pacified,  inos- 
much  as  they  were  really  friendly  to  the  Americans,  while  at  the 
same  time  they  must  have  been  acquainted  with  the  conduct  of 
the  Onondagas,  which  had  justly  incurred  tlie  chastisement. 
Scfilping  parties  were  alwnys  hovering  about  the  unprotected 
borders,  especi.iUy  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Schuyler ;  and 
the  Indians  of  none  of  the  tribes  were  more  frequently  dis- 
c/iviTcd  belonging  to  these  parties,  than  of  tluit  niition. 

It  is.  perliaps,  a  coincidence  worili  noting,  that  on  the  very 
day  on  which  Colonel  Van  Schaick  departed  from  Fort  Scliuy- 
Icr  for  Onondaga,  the  lower  section  of  the  Mohawk  Valley  was 
thrown  into  alarm  by  the  sudden  ap|warance  of  an  liidiiin  force 
siiMultaneojisly  on  both  sides  of  the  river,  in  the  vicinity  of  Pa- 
latine. On  the  South  side  a  party  rushed  down  ujion  the  set- 
llenient,  took  thn^e  prisoners,  (oyether  with  several  horses,  and 
drove  tin;  inhabitants  into  Fort  IMank.  At  the  very  same  hour 
another  division  of  the  savages  made  a  descent  upon  (he  back 
partof  Stonc-Aiabia,  wluve,  in  the  onset,  (hey  burnt  (wo  Iiouses 
and  murdtTed  one  man.  The  next  house  in  their  course  bo- 
huiired  to  (/aptain   Richer.     The  occupants  were  Hicher,  his 


% 


^^^^If  w 

m 

In 

■<  ii 


Sir 
sit- 

■  ^  MS 

I  ■ 


■■  '    :! 


I 


410 


LIFE    OP  nUANT. 


[1779. 


wife,  and  two  sons,  and  nn  old  man.  Tho  Ciiptain  and  his 
two  boys  being  armed,  on  the  near  approach  of  the  Indians 
gave  them  a  warm  reception.  A  sharp  action  ensued.  The 
old  man,  being  unarmed,  was  killed  ;  as  also  was  one  of  the 
brave  boys,  a  lad  seventeen  years  of  age.  Captain  Richer  was 
severely  wounded  and  his  arm  was  broken  ;  his  other  son  was 
also  wounded  in  the  elbow,  and  his  wife  in  one  of  her  le^. 
And  yet,  notwithstanding  that  the  whole  garrison  was  either 
killed  or  wounded,  the  Indians  retreated  on  the  loss  of  two  of 
their  number. 

On  the  same  day  a  party  of  Senecas  appeared  in  Schoharie, 
made  prisoners  of  Mr.  Lawyer  and  Mr.  Cowley,  and  plundered 
their  houses.  The  panic  was  again  general  ;  the  people  flying 
to  the  forts  for  safety,  and  the  Committee  of  Palatine  writing  im- 
mediately to  General  Clinton,  at  Albany,  for  assistance.  The 
General  was  an  officer  of  j?front  activity,  and  so  rapidly  did  he 
move  in  cases  of  alarm,  that  he  traversed  theMohawk  Valley  with 
Colonel  Gansevoort's  regiment  and  tlio  Sclienoctady  militia,  and 
was  back  at  Albany  again  on  Hio  2.Sth.  The  Indians  who  ap- 
peared on  the  south  side  wevo  from  the  "West — those  on  tho 
north  side  wore  Mohawlcs  irom  (.'anada.  Ccneral  Clinton,  in 
his  despatches  to  the  Governor,  his  brother,  expressed  an  opi- 
nion, that  but  for  his  timely  movement  on  that  occasion,  the 
enemy  would  have  driven  the  settlenienls  all  in  upon  Schenec- 
tady.* 

On  the  30th  of  April,  TJeutonants  M'Clellan  and  Harden- 
burgh  returned  to  Fort  Schuyler  from  an  unsuccessful  expe- 
dition at  the  head  of  a  body  of  Indians,  against  the  small  Bri- 
tish garr'son  at  Oswegatchie.  It  was  their  intention  to  tako 
the  fort  by  surprise;  but,  falling  in  prematurely  with  some 
stragiiling  Indiiuis,  "-evoral  shots  were  imprudimtly  exchanged, 
by  reason  of  which  their  approach  l)e<'ame  known  to  the  gar- 
rison They  then  uttempti^d  by  stratageni  to  drnw  tho  enemy 
from  the  r')rt,  and  |)arlly  s>iccee(led,  but  could  not  induce  them 
to  "Vciture  far  enough  from  tlu^ir  woiks  to  cut  tlnMU  off;  and 
on  ftpjiroaching  tl'.  fori  fhcinsclvcs,  the  assnilaiits  were  so 
waii.ily  received  by  cannistcv  imd  y;r»|«>,  as  to  bo  coinju'llcd  to 
rctroul  willioul  ininecessary  delny.    The  only  service  performed 

•  MS.  Inltrr  or.Tarob  II.  Cork  nnd  I'oter  Wugiior  to  ( ioncrnl  Clin'on,  ond  0«n«i> 
rul  Cuuloira  letter  to  tl>"  f '  jvornor. 


1779.] 


VENGEANCE  OP  THE  ONONDAGAS. 


411 


opi^ 
the 


rden- 
xpc- 
BrU 
take 

•jfur- 
(!iny 
I  fin 
and 
^  so 
(1  to 
mod 


wjis  to  send  a  Cantrhnawaga  Indian  into  Canada  with  a  letter,  in 
French,  by  "  a  French  General,"  probably  the  Marquis  de  Lafay- 
ette, addressed  to  the  Canadians,  and  written  in  the  preceding 
Autumn.*  This  expedition  was  despatched  from  Fort  Schuyler 
on  the  day  before  Colonel  Van  Schaick  moved  upon  Onondaga ; 
and  from  a  letter  addressed  by  General  Clinton,  six  weeks  after- 
ward, to  General  Sullivan,  there  is  reason  to  believe  one  object 
was  to  get  clear  of  the  Oneida  Indians  then  in  the  fort,  until 
Colonel  Van  Schaick  should  have  proceeded  so  far  upon  his  ex- 
pedition, that  they  or  their  people  would  not  be  able  to  give  the 
Onondagas  notice  of  his  approach.  All  the  Indians  still  remain- 
ing in  Fort  Schuyler  on  the  18th,  were  detained  expressly  for 
that  object  of  precaution.  General  Clinton  conceded  their  useful- 
ness as  scouts  and  spies  upon  tho  British  forces;  but, he  observed, 
"  their  attachment  to  one  another  is  too  strong  to  admit  of  their 
"  Ixiing  of  any  service  when  employed  against  their  fellows."  f 
This  testimony  is  certainly  not  discreditable  to  the  Indian  cha- 
racter  as  such. 

But  if,  as  has  been  seen,  the  Oneidas  were  disposed  to  send 
a  deputation  to  make  pacific,  inqnirios  at  Fort  Schuyler,  in  re- 
gard to  Colonel  Van  Schaick's  attack  upon  their  neighbors, 
tho  descendants  of  Garanguli  and  SadakenaghtieJ  were  not 
themselves  willing  to  pass  the  matter  over  thus  lightly.  Fired 
with  indiuiiation  at  the  Jestruction  of  their  villages  and  castle, 
and  the  putting  out  of  tho  great  council-firc  which  they  had  so 
long  kept  burning  at  their  national  altar,  they  resolved  upon 
sunnnary  vengeance.  To  this  end,  three  hundred  of  their  war- 
riors wore  si»(>edily  upon  the  war-path,  bending  their  stops  to 
the  valley  of  the  Sclioharie-kill.  Tho  settlement  of  Cobleskill,? 
wliich  had  suHered  so  severely  tho  preceding  year,  siuioted 
about  ten  miles  west  of  tho  Scholmrie-kill,  and  yet  comprifing 
nin<'te(Mi  German  families,  was  the  first  object  of  attack.  But 
they  wore  prevented  from  taking  the  place  by  surprise,  in  conse- 
t|uonce  of  two  of  their  number  straggling  a  considerable  distance 
in  advance  of  the  main  body,  who  wore  discovered  by  a  scout  of 

*  M'Clflluirn  lotlor  toGcnornl  (;iint(in. 

t  l.cttpr  of  Gcii.  (Minldn  to  Uon.  Sullivan. 

\  Two  illimttioiiM  Onoiulagii  warriori  and  (irutor*  of  ttio  preceding  contury.  Vide 
(.''(ildciiV  <  'iiiimla. 

^  l^mmily  lliiu'  written;  but  the  o!<l  inluibitanta  aay  it  ahuald  bo  Cobuskill. — 
SpuffvriL 


M  n 


if 
if 

4' 


I, 


412 


LIFE    OP   BRANT. 


[1770. 


!i-,V 


two  of  the  Cobleskill  militia.  One  of  the  Indians  was  shot, 
and  the  other  fled  ;  and  the  scouts  hastened  home  to  give  the 
alarm.  Intelligence  of  the  enemy's  approach  was  immediately 
despatched  to  Schoharie,  with  a  request  for  assistance.  A 
captain  of  the  Continental  army  was  thereupon  sent  to  Cobles- 
kill  with  a  detachment  of  regular  troops.  On  the  following 
morning  a  party  of  Indians  sallied  out  of  the  woods,  and  after 
approaching  the  settlement,  suddenly  returned.  They  were 
pursued  by  a  small  detachment  of  troops  to  the  edge  of  the 
forest,  where  their  reception  was  so  sharp  as  to  rompel  a  re- 
treat, l^lie  Captain  himself  immediately  marched  to  the  scene 
of  action  with  the  whole  of  his  little  band,  together  with  fifteen 
volunteers  of  the  militia.  The  Indians  receded  before  the 
whites  for  a  timp,  and  continued  the  deception  by  showing 
themselves  at  first  in  small  numbers  on  the  skirt  of  the  forest, 
until  they  had  accomplished  the  identical  purpose  they  had  in 
view.  The  Captain  and  his  men  pursued,  without  any  know- 
ledge of  the  disparity  of  numbers  they  had  to  encounter,  until 
the  Indians  had  drawn  them  sufficiently  within  their  toils  to 
make  a  stand.  Their  numbers  now  multiplied  rapidly,  and 
the  battle  became  animated.  The  Captain  fell  wounded,  and 
was  soon  afterward  killed.  His  men,  panic-stricken,  instantly 
fled  ;  but  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  a  cloud  of  several  hun- 
dred savages,  until  then  in  concealment,  rose  upon  all  sides  of 
them,  pouring  in  a  deadly  shower  of  rifle  balls,  and  making  the 
forest  ring  with  their  appalling  yells.  The  inhabitants  of  the 
settlement,  on  perceiving  the  disaster  which  had  befallen  the 
troops,  fled  in  the  direction  of  Schoharie  with  a  portion  of  the 
fugitive  soldiers.  Their  flight  was  facilitated,  or  rather  they 
were  prevented  from  being  overtaken,  by  seven  of  the  Captain's 
brave  fellows,  who  took  possessi(»n  of  a  deserted  house  and 
made  a  resolute  defence.  From  the  windows  of  their  castle 
they  fired  briskly  upon  the  Indians,  and  bringing  them  to  a 
pause,  dtitaiiK'd  tliem  until  the  inhftbitants  had  made  good  their 
fliglit  to  Schoharie.  Unable  to  drive  the  soldiers  from  the 
house,  the  Indians  at  length  applied  the  brand,  and  the  brave 
fellows  were  burnt  to  death  within  its  walls.  The  whole  set- 
tlement was  then  plundered  and  burnt  by  the  Indians.  Rut 
they  did  not  proceed  farther  toward  Schoharie.  The  loss  of 
the  whiles  was  twenty-two  killed  and  two  taken  prisoners. 


1779.] 


INDIAN  OUTRAGES  NEAR  FORT  PITT. 


413 


The  bodies  of  the  slain  were  found  the  next  day,  sadly  mutilat- 
ed •  and  in  the  hand  of  one  of  them  the  Indians  had  placed  a 
roll  of  Continental  bills — a  severe  satire  upon  the  description  of 
money  for  which  the  soldiers  were  serving.  The  great  fact, 
however,*that  it  was  the  cause,  and  not  the  pay,  which  kept 
the  Americans  in  the  field,  could  scarcely  be  appreciated  by 
the  forest  warriors.  They  were  led  in  this  battle  by  a  Tory, 
who  was  subsequently  killed  by  the  celebrated  Murphy.* 
Their  loss  was  severe,  but  to  what  extent  was  not  known. 
Thus  was  amply  avenged  the  destruction  of  Onondaga. 

During  the  month  of  April,  the  inhabitants  of  Monongalia, 
on  the  north-western  Virginia  border  and  the  western  part  of 
Pennsylvania,  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Pitt,  had  been  severely 
harassed  by  the  Indians.  On  the  9th  of  that  month,  a  party  of 
four  men,  despatched  from  Port  Pitt,  were  all  killed  and 
scalped  at  the  distance  of  fifteen  miles  from  the  fort.  On  the 
I3th,  a  man  named  David  Morgan,  of  Monongalia,  discovered 
two  Indians  creeping  upon  several  children  at  work  in  a  field. 
He  gave  the  alarm  to  the  latter,  and  then  shot  one  of  the  In- 
dians dead.  The  other  rushed  upon  Morgan,  and  grappled 
with  him.  A  severe  contest  ensued  for  the  possession  of  the 
Indian's  knife,  which  Morgan  ultimately  obtained  ;  the  Indian, 
by  grasping  the  blade,  having  his  hand  severely  lacerated. 
Morgan  stabbed  the  Indian,  and  ran  for  the  fort,  while  the  In- 
dian took  to  the  woods.  A  party  set  off  immediately  in  pur- 
suit, and  soon  overtook  the  savage,  sitting  against  a  tree.  He 
begged  for  mercy,  and  was  at  first  taken  as  a  prisoner  ;  but 
during  the  march  back  to  the  fort,  he  became  rather  surly, 
whereupon  his  captors  killed  and  scalped  him — taking,  also, 
the  scalp  from  the  warrior  who  had  been  first  shot  by  Morgan. 
On  the  following  day  another  Indian  scout  was  discovered,  one 

♦  Campbell's  Annsils.  Tlui  niilliority  of  Mr.  Campliell  for  most  if  not  all  his  in- 
formation resprcting  the  operulions  of  the  enemy  in  tlie  Schohario  coimtry,  was  tho 
late  Rev.  Mr.  Fenn,  of  HurperslkUl — a  gentleman  most  intimately  nc<iuaintwl  with 
the  early  history  of  that  region.  Still,  thirc  i.seliarly  a  rni!»tiike  in  assigning,  as  has 
been  done,  Captain  Patriek  as  the  Ameiiean  lender  ni^ainst  tho  Onondngas  on  this 
occasion,  since  that  oflicer  fell  in  the  same  neighhorhood  more  than  a  year  before,  as 
stated  in  a  letter  written  ut  the  time  by  Colonel  Varick.  [.Seechap.  xvi.  text,  an<l  also 
a  note.]  Who  led  the  Americans  on  this  last  occasion,  tho  aiUhor  has  not  asx^ortained. 
But  tho  accounts  just  referred  to,  that  it  was  Captain  Patrick,  nrc  certainly  incor- 
rect— unless,  indeed,  there  were  two  Patricks,  both  captains,  ara  both  killed  in  tho 
same  neighborhood. 


I.    . 


.'  M 


414 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1779. 


Bif 


m 


of  whom  was  killed  and  scalped.  Two  days  afterward  the 
Indians  killed  and  scalped  David  Maxwell  and  his  wife.  Se- 
veral families  were  carried  into  captivity.  Among  the  prison- 
ers was  one  resolute  woman,  who  killed  one  of  her  guards, 
wounded  another,  and  effected  h'^i-  escape.*  Theseindividual 
murders  were  the  more  cruel,  inasiuuch  as  they  could  have  no 
effect  upon  the  result  of  the  pending  contest.  The  snatching 
away  of  prisoners  by  these  petty  expeditions  was  a  different 
affair ;  and  often  served  a  twofold  purpose — enabling  the  enemy 
frequently  to  extort  information,  ami,  by  a  silent  operation,  con- 
tinually increasing  the  number  of  prisoners  in  their  hands  for 
exchange.  But,  whether  murdered  outright  or  carried  into  cap- 
tivity, the  trials  of  the  inhabitants  upon  a  frontier,  thus  hourly 
exposed  to  dangers  of  the  most  appalling  description,  can  scarce- 
ly be  appreciated  by  those  who  have  not  been  placed  in  similar 
peril. 

The  frontier  towns  of  the  County  of  Ulster  were  likewise 
not  a  little  annoyed,  in  the  early  part  of  May,  by  a  detachment 
of  thirty  or  forty  of  Butler's  rangers,  who,  from  their  knowledge 
of  the  country,  were  supposed  to  have  fled  to  the  royal  standard 
from  that  neighborhood.  On  the  4th  of  May,  four  dwelling- 
houses  and  five  barns  were  burnt  by  them  in  Fantuie-kill. 
Six  of  the  inhabitants  were  murdered,  besides  three  or  four 
more  who  were  siipposed  to  be  burnt  in  their  houses.  Colonel 
Philip  Van  Courtlandt,  stationed  at  that  time  with  one  of  the 
New- York  regiments  at  Warwasing,  went  in  pursuit  of  the 
traitors ;  but  although  he  twice  came  in  sight  of  them  upon  the 
crest  of  a  mountain,  they  were  too  dexterous  in  threading  the 
forests  to  allow  him  to  overtake  them ;  and  the  Colonel  had 
scarcely  turned  back  from  the  pursuit,  before  they  fell  upon  the 
tow^n  of  Woodstock,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Kingston,  where 
they  burnt  several  houses  and  committed  other  depredations. 
Tlu'y  made  a  few  prisoners,  some  of  whom  were  carried  away ; 
while  others  were  compelled,  by  the  up-raised  hatchet,  to  take 
M\  oath  not  to  serve  in  arms  against  the  King.t 

hi  order  to  preserve,  unbroken,  a  narrative  of  the  principal 
Judian  campaign  of  the  present  year,  it  is  necessary  somewhat 
to  anticipate  the  progress  of  events,  by  recording  in  this  place 

♦  Almon's  Remembrancer — letter  from  Fort  Pitt. 

\  lUum— Article  from  Warwasing,  publialieU  first  in  Pouglikeopsie. 


im.j 


INVASION   OP   MINI9INK. 


415 


the  particulars  of  the  celebrated  invasion  of  Minisink,  and  the 
bloody  battle  that  immediately  ensued  near  the  Delaware.* 
The  brave  Count  Pulaski,  with  his  battalion  of  cavalry,  had 
been  stationed  at  Minisink  durinjr  the  preceding  winter  ;  but  in 
the  month  of  February  he  was  ordered  to  South  Carolina,  to 
pin  the  army  of  General  Lincoln.t  Left  thus  wholly  unpro- 
tected, save  by  its  own  people,  Captain  Brant  determined  to 
make  a  descent  upon  it,  for  the  purpose  of  takint^  both  plunder 
and  prisoners.  Accordingly,  on  the  20th  of  July,  or  rather 
during  the  night  of  the  19th,  the  crafty  Mohawk  stole  upon  the 
slumbering  town,  at  the  head  of  sixty  Indians  and  twenty 
seven  Tory  warriors,  disguised  as  Indians — which  was  a  vc.y 
Common  practice  'h  the  loyalists  when  acting  with  the 
savages.     Such  w  silence  of  their  approach,  tiiat  several 

houses  were  alreauy  in  dames  when  the  inhabitants  awoke  to 
their  situation.  Thus  surprised,  and  wholly  unprepared,  all 
who  could  escape  fled  in  consternation,  leaving  the  invaders  to 
riot  upon  the  spoil.  Ten  houses  and  twelve  barns  were  burnt, 
together  with  a  small  stockade  fort  and  two  mills.  Several 
persons  were  killed,  and  others  taken  prisoners.  The  farms 
of  the  settlement  were  laid  waste,  the  cattle  driven  away, 
and  all  the  booty  carried  off  which  the  invaders  could  remove. 
Having  thus  succeeded  in  his  immediate  object.  Brant  lost  no 
time  in  lending  his  party  back  to  the  main  body  of  his  war- 
riors, whom  he  had  left  at  Grassy  Brook. 

No  sooner  had  the  fugitives  from  Minisink  arrived  at  Goshen 
with  the  intelligence,  than  Dr.  Tusten,  the  Colonel  of  the  local 
militia,  issued  orders  to  the  officers  of  his  command  to  meet 
him  at  Minisink  on  the  following  day,  with  as  many  volunteers 
as  they  could  raise.  The  order  was  promptly  obeyed,  and  a 
body  of  one  hundred  and  forty-nine  men  met  their  colonel  at 
the  designated  rendezvous,  at  the  time  appointed— including 
many  of  the  principal  gentlemen  of  the  county.     A  council  of 

*  Minisink,  for  an  inland  American  town,  ia  very  ancient.  It  is  situated  about 
ten  miles  west  of  Goshen,  in  the  County  of  Orange,  (N.  Y.)  on  the  Navisink  river, 
and  among  what  arc  called  the  Shawangunk  Mountains.  It  ia  bordered  on  the 
Bouth-west  by  both  the  States  of  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania.  The  Wallkill 
also  rises  in  this  town.  Its  history,  previous  to  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  is  full  of 
interest.  A  severe  battle  was  fought  with  the  Indians  in  Minisink,  July  22, 1660, 
the  bloody  horrors  of  which  yet  live  in  the  traditions  of  that  neighborhood. 

t  Letter  of  Washington. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


:/. 


^ 


& 


1.0    ^1^  1^ 


I.I 


." ...  Ill 


2.2 


1^  m 


11:25   i  1.4 


1.6 


Ptiotographic 

^,Sciences 

(Corporation 


i\'' 


^ 


\ 


:\ 


13  WIIT  MAIN  ITRIIT 

WIMTIR, N.Y.  I4SI0 

|7U)  •79-4S0a 


O^ 


0 


s 


s> 


■^!  'i 


'A 
I*  i: '  <• 


i|  I- 


416 


LIFE   OP   BttANT. 


[)779 


war  was  held,  to  determine  upon  the  expediency  of  a  pursuit. 
Colonel  Tusten  was  himself  opposed  to  the  proposition,  with 
so  feeble  a  command,  and  with  the  certainty,  if  they  overtook 
the  enemy,  of  being  obiijred  to  encounter  an  officer  combining", 
with  his  acknowledged  prowess,  so  much  of  subtlety  as  charac- 
terized the  movements  of  the  Mohawk  chief.  His  force,  more^ 
over,  was  believed  to  be  greatly  superior  to  their's  in  numbers, 
and  to  inchido  many  Tories  as  well  acquainted  with  the  coun- 
try as  themselves.  The  Colonel,  therefore,  preferred  waiting 
for  the  reinforcements  which  would  be  sure  soon  to  arrive,  tho 
more  especially  as  the  volunteers  already  with  him  were  but 
ill  provided  with  arms  and  ammiuiitio??.  Others,  however,  were 
for  immediate  pursuit.  They  allbcted  to  hold  the  Indians  in 
contempt,  insisted  that  they  would  not  fight,  and  maintained 
that  a  re-capture  of  the  plunder  they  had  taken  would  be  an 
easy  achievement.  Town-meeting  counsels,  in  the  conduct  of 
war,  are  not  usually  the  wisest,  as  will  appear  in  the  sequel. 
The  majority  of  Tusten's  command  were  evidently  determined 
to  pursue  the  enemy  ;  but  their  deliberations  were  cut  short 
by  Major  Meeker,  who  mounted  his  horse,  flourished  his  sword, 
and  vauntingly  called  out — "  Let  the  brave  men  follow  mo, 
tho  cowards  may  stay  behind  1"  It  may  readily  bo  supposed 
that  such  an  appeal  to  an  excited  multitude  would  decide  tlie 
question,  as  it  did.  The  line  of  march  was  immediately  taken 
up,  and  after  proceeding  seventeen  miles  the  same  evening,  they 
encamped  for  the  night.  On  the  morning  of  the  22d  they 
were  joined  by  a  small  reinforcement  tnider  Colonel  liathorn, 
of  the  Warwick  regiment,  who,  as  the  senior  of  Colonel  Tustet^, 
took  the  cotnmand.  When  tlujy  had  advanced  a  few  miles,  to 
Halfway  Brook,  they  came  upon  the  Indian  encampment  of 
the  preceding  night,  and  another  council  was  held  there. 
Colonels  Haihorn,  Tusten,  and  others,  whose  valor  was  go- 
verned by  prndenco,  were  opposed  to  advancing  farther,  as  tho 
number  of  Indian  lires,  and  the  extent  of  ground  flii^y  had  oc- 
cupied, removed  all  doubt  as  to  the  superiority  of  tin  ir  nmubers. 
A  scene  similar  to  that  which  had  broken  up  the  foruKir  coini- 
oil  was  acted  at  this  place,  and  with  the  same  result.  Tho 
voice  of  prudence  was  compelled  to  yield  to  that  of  bravado. 

C''ntain  Tyler,  who  had  sonio  ktiowhidgo  of  the  wooils,  wa.s 
soul  forward  at  the  hcud  of  a  small  scouting  party,  to  follow  tho 


^SftH'ifYVKj-j**' 


1779.] 


INVASION    OP    MINISIXK. 


4ir 


^ra. 


trail  of  the  Indians,  and  to  ascertain,  if  possible,  their  movements; 
since  it  was  evident  that  they  could  not  be  far  in  advance. 
The  Captain  had  proceeded  but  a  short  distance  before  he  fell 
from  the  fire  of  an  unseen  enemy.  This  circumstance  occa- 
sioned considerable  alarm  ;  but  the  volunteers,  nevertheless, 
pressed  eagorly  forward,  and  it  was  not  lonjj^  before  they 
emerged  upon  the  hills  of  the  Delaware,  in  full  view  of  that 
river,  upon  tlie  eastern  bank  of  which,  at  the  distance  of  three- 
fourths  of  a  mile,  the  Indians  were  seen  deliberately  marching 
in  the  direction  of  a  fording-place  near  the  mouth  of  the  Lack- 
awuxen.  This  discovery  was  made  at  about  9  o'clock  in 
the  morning.  The  intention  of  Brant  to  cross  at  the  fording- 
place  was  evident ;  and  it  was  afterward  ascertained  that  his 
booty  had  alreud/  been  sent  thither  in  advance. 

The  d(Uormi.iation  was  immediately  formed  by  Colonel  Ha- 
thori,,  to  intcrrep!  the  enemy  at  the  fording-place,  for  which 
purpose  instant  dispositions  were  made.  But,  owing  to  in- 
tervening woods  and  hills,  the  opjwsing  bodies  soon  lost  sight 
of  each  other,  and  an  adroit  movement  on  the  part  of  Brant 
gave  him  an  advantage  wliich  it  was  impossible  for  the  Ameri- 
cans to  regain.  Anticipating  the  design  of  Hathorn,  the  moment 
the  Americans  were  out  of  sight  Brant  wheeled  to  the  right,  and 
by  threading  a  ravine  across  which  Hathorn  had  passed;  threw 
himself  into  his  rear,  by  which  means  he  was  enabled  delibe- 
rately to  select  his  ground  for  a  battle  and  form  an  ambuscade. 
r)isa[)pointcd  in  not  finding  the  enemy,  the  Americans  were 
brought  to  a  stand,  when  the  enemy  disclosed  himself  partially, 
in  a  (juarter  altogelher  uiuixpeoted.  According  to  the  Ameri- 
can account,  the  first  shot  was  fired  upon  an  Indian,  who  was 
known,  and  who  was  moimted  upon  a  horse  stolen  at  Minisink. 
The  Indian  fell,  and  the  firing  soon  became  general — the  enemy 
contriving,  in  the  early  part  of  the  engagement,  to  cut  off  from 
the  main  body  of  Hathorn's  troops  a  detachment  comprising 
one  third  of  his  whole  number.  The  conflict  was  long  and 
obstinate.  The  number  of  the  enemy  being  several  times 
greater  than  that  of  the  Goshen  militia,  the  latter  were  sur- 
rounded, and  ultin."«''ly  hennned  within  the  circrmifercnce  of 
an  acre  of  ground.  Being  short  of  anununition,  Hathorn's  or- 
ders, in  imitation  of  those  of  Putnam  at  Bimker  Hill,  were 
strict  that  no  man  siiould  fire  until  very  sure  that  his  powder 


m 


•I 


I 


419 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1779 


i'1' 


.11 

i 


would  not  be  lost.*  The  battle  commenced  about  11  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  and  was  maintained  until  the  going  down  of 
the  sun ;  both  parties  fighting  after  the  Indian  fashion,  every 
man  foj  himself,  and  the  whole  keeping  up  an  irregular  fire 
from  behind  rocks  and  trees  as  best  they  could.  About  sunset 
the  ammunition  of  the  militia  was  expended,  and  the  survivors 
attempted  to  retreat,  but  many  of  them  were  cut  down.  Doc- 
tor Tusten  was  engaged  behind  a  cliff  of  rocks  in  dressing  the 
wounded  when  the  retreat  commenced.  There  were  seven- 
teen disabled  men  undei  his  care  at  the  moment,  whose  cries 
for  protection  and  mercy  were  of  the  most  moving  description. 
The  Indians  fell  upon  them,  however,  and  they  all,  together 
with  the  Doctor,  perished  under  the  tomahawk.  Among  the 
slain  were  many  of  the  first  citizens  of  Goshen ;  and  of  the 
whole  number  that  went  forth,  only  about  thirty  returned  to 
tell  the  melancholy  story.t  Several  of  the  fugitives  were  shot 
while  attempting  to  escape  by  swimming  the  Delaware. 

Brant  has  been  severely  censured  for  the  cruelties  perpe- 
trated, or  alleged  to  have  been  perpetrated,  in  this  battle.  He 
always  maintained  that  he  had  been  unjustly  blamed,  and  that 
his  conduct  had  been  the  subject  of  unjust  reproach.  He 
stilted  that,  having  ascertained  that  the  Goshen  militia  were  ia 
pursuit  of  him,  determined  to  give  him  battle,  he  of  course 
prepared  himself  for  their  reception.  Still,  having  obtained 
the  supplies  he  needed,  his  own  object  was  accomplished.  He 
al  50  stated,  that  on  the  near  approach  of  the  Americans,  he 
rose,  and  presenting  himself  openly  and  fairly  to  their  view,  ad- 
dr  3ssed  himself  to  their  commanding  officer,  and  demanded  their 
sr.rrender — promising  at  the  same  time  to  treat  them  kindly  as 
prisoners  of  war.  He  assured  them,  frankly,  that  his  force  in 
r.mbush  was  sufficient  to  overpower  and  destroy  them;  that 
then,  before  any  blood  had  been  shed,  he  could  control  his 
warriors ;  but  should  the  battle  commence,  he  could  not  an- 

•  Piitnntn'n  ordor  was — "  Don't  fire,  boyn,  till  yon  ifio  tho  wMte  of  their  eyre," 
t  Among  the  nlain  were  Jonen,  Little,  Duncan,  Wisnrr,  Vail,  Townsond,  and 
Knapp.  Ih  1829  tho  people  of  Orange  County  collortcd  thn  hones,  which  until  then 
had  boon  left  to  blcacli  nn  thn  battUi-fiold,  and  cnuKod  tluun  to  bo  buried.  The  fune- 
rol  |)roceB»ion  numborod  twi-lvo  thousand  pooplo,  anionc  whom  w«i  Mojor  Poppino, 
one  of  tho  aurvivorfl  of  tho  battle — thim  nearly  one  hundrrd  year*  old.  The  author 
haa  to  aome  extent  drawn  upon  the  dincourie  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wilson,  delivered  on 
Uiat  Qccaaivn,  in  writing  tliia  nocouni  of  the  bottle. 


If  jl 


1779.] 


HIS    ACCOUNT    OF    THE    BATTLK. 


419 


swer  for  the  consequences.  But,  he  said,  while  he  was  thus  par- 
leying with  them,  he  \/as  fired  upon,  and  narrowly  escaped  be- 
ing shot  down — the  ball  piercing  the  outer  fold  of  his  belt. 
Immediately  upon  receiving  tho  shot,  he  retired,  and  se- 
creted himself  among  his  warriors.  The  militia,  emboldened 
by  his  disappearance,  seeing  no  other  enemy,  and  disbelieving 
what  he  had  told  them,  rushed  forward  heedlessly  until  they 
were  completely  within  his  power.  In  crossing  a  creek  they 
had  broken  their  order,  and  before  they  could  form  again  on 
the  other  side,  Brant  gave  the  well-known  signal  of  the  war- 
whoop.  Quick  as  the  lightning's  flash,  his  dark  cloud  of  war- 
riors were  upon  their  feet.  Having  fired  once,  they  sprang 
forward,  tomahawk  in  hand.  The  conflict  was  fierce  and 
bloody.  Few  escaped,  and  several .  of  the  prisoners  were 
killed.  There  was  one  who  during  the  battle  saved  himself 
by  means  which  Brant  said  were  dishonorable.  By  some  pro- 
cess or  other,  though  not  a  freemason,  he  had  acquired  a  know 
ledge  of  the  master  mason's  grand  hailing  signal  of  distress  ; 
and  having  been  informed  that  Brant  was  a  member  of  the 
brotherhood,  he  gave  the  mystic  sign.  Faithful  to  his  pledge, 
the  chieftain  interposed  and  saved  his  life.  Discovering  tlie 
imposture  afterward,  he  was  very  indignant.  Still,  he  spared 
his  life,  and  the  prisoner  ultimately  returned  to  his  friends  af- 
ter a  long  captivity.* 


ri 


♦  This  version  of  llie  battle,  as  given  by  Brant,  haa  been  derived  by  the  niithor 
from  the  notes  of  convprsntions  with  tbe  old  chief,  by  Siimuei  Woodruff,  Esq.  here* 
toforo  cited.  The  priwdier  referred  to  ns'  having  been  saved  by  the  erroneona  pup- 
position  of  Uriint  thai  he  was  a  freemason,  was  the  Into  Major  Wood  of  Oronjjo 
County.  The  Ilov.  Dnetor  Wilson  gives  the  following  account  of  this  incident : — 
••Major  Wood  of  Oinnc;o  County,  (N.  Y.)  was  made  a  prisoner  at  the  hntlle  ot 
Mininink,  Ijncause  Hrntit,  from  an  accidental  sign,  mistook  him  for  a  Frenmnson.  On 
thoeveninsi  afYiTthe  battle,  when  the  'monster'  was  about  to  tie  hint,  lie  remon- 
strated, said  lie  was  a  gentleman,  and  promised  not  to  escape.  lie  was  not  tird,  but 
laid  between  two  ln<lians  ;  and  lolil,  that  should  he  attempt  to  escape  he  should  bo 
toniahowked.  The  blanket  on  which  he  lay  took  fire  in  the  ninht,  and  he  dared  not 
move,  lest  the  tomahawk  might  sink  into  his  head,  until  the  tire  reached  his  feet, 
when  ho  kicked  it  out.    It  was  Brant's  blanket.    Brant  treated  him  very  harshly  ever 

after;  ond  when  Major  WikkI  asked  him  the  reason,  he  replied,  'D n  you,  you 

burnt  my  blanket.'  Major  Wood  was,  for  many  years  ofler  the  peoce,  a  resident  of 
Orange  County,  and  one  of  its  most  respectable  citizens."  Dr.  Wilson  supposes 
that  the  Mas(mic  signal  was  made  by  mere  accident.  It  may  have  been  so;  but  the 
author  has  been  told  othorwiie,  and  that  one  of  tho  first  acts  of  his  life,  a(\er  his  re- 
turn, was  to  become  a  freemason.    This  he  considered  himself  in  honor  bound  to  do. 


if. 


*t 


.4 


m 


!  f  ■ 


I     .!. 


420 


LIFE    OF    BRANT. 


[1779. 


There  was  another  occurrence  of  deep  and  thrilUng  interest 
connected  with  this  battle,  the  particulars  of  which  were  related 
in  after-years  by  Brant  himself,  while  on  a  visit  to  the  city  of 
New- York.*  Among  those  who  were  grievously  wounded  was 
Lieutenant-Colonel  GaLriel  Wisner,  a  getuleman  of  great  re- 
spectability, a  magistrate,  serving  among  the  Goshen  volun- 
teers. In  surveying  the  battle-field,  the  situation  of  Wisner  ar- 
rested the  attention  of  the  Indian  commander,  who  exammcd 
his  condition.  The  chief  saw  that  he  was  wounded  past  hope 
of  recovery,  but  he  was,  nevertheless,  in  the  full  possession  of  his 
faculties,  and  was  even  able  to  converse.  Believing  his  case 
to  be  altogether  beyond  the  power  of  medical  and  surgical 
skill,  and  having  no  means  of  carrying  him  away.  Brant  re- 
flected a  moment  upon  his  own  course  of  duty.  He  was  dis- 
posed to  save  his  life  if  he  could,  and  yet  felt  that  it  was 
impossible.  To  leave  him  thus  helpless  and  alone  upon  the 
field,  in  the  possession  of  his  senses  to  a  degree  enabling  huu 
to  appreciate  all  the  horrors  of  his  sitiuition,  would  be  the 
height  of  cruelty.  Added  to  which  was  the  montl  certainty, 
that  the  wolves  abounding  in  tlie  forest,  guided  by  the  scent  of 
blood,  would  soon  be  gorging  themselves  alike  upon  the  wounded 
and  the  dead.  The  thought,  therefore,  that  Wisner  might  be  torn 
in  pieces  while  yet  alive,  seemed  to  him  even  more  than  savage 
cruelty.  Under  these  distressing  circumstances  and  consid(!r- 
ations,  the  chief  argued  with  himself  that  true  humanity  re- 
quired a  speedy  termination  of  his  sufferings.  Having  formed 
this  conclusion,  the  next  point  was  to  compass  his  death  with- 
out inflicting  ailditional  torture  upon  his  feelings.  With  this 
view  he  engaged  Wisner  in  conversation,  and  while  diverting 
his  attention,  struck  him  dead  in  an  instant,  and  unptrceived, 
with  his  hatchet.  It  was  but  a  savage  exhibition  of  humanity  ; 
but  there  was  benevolence  in  the  intention,  however  strangely 
reasoned  ;  and  the  motive  of  the  final  blow  is  to  bo  applauded, 
notwithstanding  the  shudder  caused  by  its  contomplation.t 

Hi!  also  stufi^d  tliiit  lio  had  always  felt  niorlifipd  at  tlie  deception  Ito  hud  practised, 
and  that  tiotliitig  eoidd  htvo  boon  inuro  withering  than  the  Bcorn  with  which  Brant 
ever  looked  upon  him  iiflorward. 

♦  Conversulions  of  Urant  with  Qoneral  Morgan  Lewis,  related  by  the  lotter  to 
the  author.  , 

t  The  British  account  of  this  battle,  published  in  New-Vork  on  the  18th  of  Au- 
guut,  1779,  tts  rccbivcd  from  "a  person  just  arrived  from  Joseph  Brunt  and  hia 


1779.] 


INDIAN    IRRUPTIONS. 


421 


From  Minisink,  by  a  rapid  movement,  Brant  fell  upon  a  set- 
tlement on  the  south  side  of  the  Mohawk,  where,  on  the  2d  of 
August,  he  made  a  few  prisoners — the  name  of  one  of  whom 
was  House.  This  man,  with  his  companions,  was  carried  back 
into  the  woods,  and  left  in  charge  of  the  Indians,  while  Brant, 
with  four  of  his  warriors,  went  off  upon  some  secret  enterprise. 
On  the  fourth  day  after  his  absence,  he  returned,  attended  by 
his  four  warriors,  but  on  horseback  himself,  having  been 
wounded  in  the  foot  by  a  musket  shot.  The  wound,  however, 
was  not  like  that  of  Achilles,  in  the  heel,  but  by  a  buck-shot  in 
the  ball  of  the  great  toe — and  therefore  in  a  place  less  equivocal 
for  a  soldier's  honor.  They  then  commenced  their  march  in 
the  direction  of  Tioga ;  but  as  House  became  too  lame  by 
walking  to  continue  the  journey  on  foot,  the  Indians  proposed 
killing  him.  To  this  Brant  objected  ;  and  having  been  ac- 
quainted with  House  before  the  war,  he  released  him  on  condi- 
tion of  his  taking  an  oath  of  neutrality,  which  was  written  by 
the  chief  in  the  Indian  language.  House  signed  the  oath,  and 
Brant  witnessed  it.  He  was  then  released,  and  being  some- 
where in  the  vicinity  of  Otsego  Lake,  where  General  Clinton 
was  then  making  preparations  for  his  celebrated  descent  of  the 
Susquehanna,  House  came  into  Clinton's  camp  on  the  8lh  of 
August — the  day  previous  to  his  embarkation.* 

Contemporaneously  with  these  occurrences,  and  while,  as 
will  subsequently  appear,  the  attention  of  the  American  officers 
was  directed  to  more  important  movements,  the  Indians  and 
Tories  once  more  broke  in  upon  the  Pennsylvania  border,  in 
Northampton,  Lyconia,  and  the  neighborhood  of  Sunbury. 
In  a  succession  of  petty  affairs  between  the  1st  and  21st  of 
July,  several  neighborhoods  were  destroyed  and  mills  burnt. 


I' 


brt'thrcn,"  stati'd  tlml  Hrnnt  liml  with  him  only  fixfy  IruliimH  and  fwonly  white  mon. 
Among  the  principiil  iiilmbitiiiilM  killud,  ll)u  siinir  iicciiiinl  uiivn  thu  following  r('tii>-n  : 
"Colonil  nL-njiiniin  Tiistan,  Jr.,  CH|itiiin  Siiniud  .Ton'H,  Ciiptnin  .Tohn  Litlh;,  Cap- 
tiiin  John  Wood,  Ouptiiin  Piinciin,  Ctiptiiin  Hiinjaniin  Vuil,  Ciiptiiin  Kent  Tyhr, 
Adjiitnnt  Nntlmnivl  Fiink,  Licuteniinl  Iknjiiiiiin  Dunning,  Liuuttimnt  Saniiicl 
Knapp,  Liniti^nant  John  Wood,  Lieutrnunt  Abridiuni  Shophurd,  Jnsticu  Ciahriul 
Wei^niT,  JuflticP  Gilbert  Vuil,  Justice  Ilogur  TownHLnd,  JiiHtico  Williiun  Harkcr, 
ronimi-'sioner  Jnnjcs  Knnpp,  CoMMniBgioniT  Joinis  Mnnhu-r,  Wounded,  Mnjor 
Hnns  Pecker,  Major  Suniuel  Meeker,  of  tlie  Minisink  militia.  Out  of  one  hun- 
dred and  forty-nine  that  went  out,  thirty  returned — mincing  one  hundred  and  nine- 
teen."—  Vide  JllmonU  RemembraHci:r,  vol.  vi.  p.  870. 
*  MS.  letter  of  Qonoral  JanioB  Clintuti  to  Quvcrnor  Clinton,  his  brother. 


**(■ 


.,7 


422 


LIFE   OP   BRANT. 


[1779. 


If!  .i'    '  :i 


m  ■'■ 


On  the  17th,  all  the  principal  houses  in  the  township  of  Mun- 
sey  were  burnt.  Two  persons  were  killed  on  that  day,  and 
four  had  been  killed  a  few  days  previous,  besides  several 
taken  prisoners.  On  the  20th,  three  men  were  killed  by  a 
small  party  hovering  about  Freeland's  Fort,  situated  on  the 
West  branch  of  the  Susquehanna,  seventeen  miles  from  Sun- 
bury.  On  the  28th,  five  days  after  the  affair  of  Minisink,  this 
little  defence,  which  was  garrisoned  by  only  thirty  men,  and 
about  fifty  women  and  children  who  had  sought  refuge  within 
its  walls,  was  invested  by  one  of  the  M'Donalds,  at  the  head  of 
two  hundred  Indians,  and  one  hundred  troops  calling  them- 
selves regulars.  But,  although  wearing  the  British  uniform,  it 
was  believed  that  they  were  American  loyalists.  The  enemy 
met  with  less  resistance  during  this  irruption  than  would  have 
been  the  case,  but  for  the  circumstance  that  the  greater  part  of 
the  men  had  been  drafted  for  the  boat  service  of  General  Sulli- 
van, who  was  then  at  Wyoming,  preparing  to  enter  the  Seneca 
country.  Fort  Freeland  was  too  weak  of  itself,  and  too  weakly 
garrisoned,  to  hold  out  long  against  such  a  disparity  of  force. 
Captain  Hawkins  Boone,  a  brave  oflicer,  stationed  with  thirty 
men  at  a  distance  of  some  miles,  marched  to  the  relief  of  the 
fort  immediately  on  hearing  of  the  investment.  The  garrison 
had  surrendered  before  his  arrival.  Boone  nevertheless  gave  bat- 
tle to  the  enemy ;  but,  overpowered  by  numbers,  he  was  slain, 
together  with  eighteen  of  his  men,  whose  scalps  were  carried 
as  trophies  into  the  fort.  Two  other  oflScers,  Captains  Dough- 
erty and  Hamilton,  were  also  killed.  By  the  terms  of  capitu- 
lation, M'Donald  stipulated  to  spare  the  women  and  children, 
and  allow  them  to  depart.  The  fort,  and  the  houses  in  its  vi- 
cinity, were  then  burnt.* 

Meantime  the  Shawanese  were  continuing  their  depredations 
upon  the  Ohio  border  of  Virginia,  with  results  certainly  not 
unfavorable  to  the  former.  Colonel  Boon  being  absent  in  North 
Carolina,  Colonel  Bowman  led  an  expedition  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  men,  in  July,  against  the  Shawanese  of  Old  Chilicothe. 
Although  Bowman  fell  upon  the  Indians  suddenly,  and  with- 
out knowledge  on  their  part  of  his  approach,  they  nevertheless 
fought  him  bravely  for  several  hours,  and  compelled  him  to 


Almon'B  Remembranoer— article  from  Philadelphia. 


1779.] 


AN   IMPORTANT   NOTE. 


423 


retreat.  Falling  back  thirty  miles,  Bowman  made  a  stand,  and 
was  shortly  overtaken  by  the  Indians  with  augmented  num- 
bers. Another  engagement  ensued,  which,  during  the  first  two 
liours,  promised  no  advantage  to  the  forces  of  Bowman.  Co- 
lonel Harrod  then  proposed  to  mount  a  number  of  men  upon 
horses  and  make  a  cavalry  charge.  The  suggestion  was 
adopted,  and  the  expedient  succeeded.  The  Indians  fought 
with  remarkable  fury,  but  were,  nevertheless,  broken,  and  com- 
pelled to  fly  in  all  directions.* 

With  these  incidents  closes  the  present  volume.  The  se- 
cond will  open  with  a  narrative  of  the  most  formidable  Indian 
campaign  undertaken  during  the  contest  for  American  Inde- 
pendence. 


NOTE. 


It  is  desirable  that  the  present  note  should  be  read  in  connec- 
tion with  the  sixth  chapter  of  this  volume,  containing  the  ac 
count  of  General  Schuyler's  expedition  to  Johnstown  in  Fe- 
bruary, 1776,  for  the  purpose  of  disarming  the  Tories  of  Tryon 
County,  and  of  arresting  Sir  John  Johnson.  The  immediate 
causes  of  that  expedition,  aside  from  the  information  of  a  wretch 
named  Connell,  do  not  appear  with  sufficient  distinctness  to  di- 
vest the  proceedings  of  General  Schuyler  of  a  character  olmost 
of  harshness.  But  while  the  author  has  entertained  littl'  •  T  any, 
doubt,  that  Congress  had  good  and  sufl^cient  reasons  for  d  rect- 
ing  the  expedition,  and  Schuyler  for  his  energetic  execution  of 
his  orders,  the  reasons  for  the  urgency  of  the  movement  have 
never  transpired.  Since  the  preceding  sheets  were  from  the 
press,  however,  the  author  has  received  copies  of  certain  docu- 
ments from  the  archives  of  the  British  Government,  which  re- 
flect all  the  light  upon  the  subject  that  can  be  desired.  After 
the  perusal  of  these  papers,  the  propriety  of  the  measure,  if  it 
ever  has  been,  can  no  longer  be  questioned : — 

'*'  Adventures  of  Colonel  Daniel  Boon. 

68 


,1 


fl      ,] 


424 


LIFE    OF   BRANT. 


[1779 


I 


tt 


-i 


£  i 


Governor  Tryon  to  Lord  George  Germaine. 

"  On  board  H.  B.  M.  Ship,  Dutchess  of  Gordon,  ) 
"  Neio-  York  Harbor,  3d  Jan.  1776.  \ 
"  My  Lord, 
"  The  gentleman  who  delivered  me  the  enclosed  letter  from 
Sir  John  Johnson,  assured  me  that  by  Government's  complying 
with  its  contents.  Sir  John  could  muster  five  hundred  Indians 
to  support  the  cause  of  government,  and  that  these,  with  a  body 
of  regulars,  might  retake  the  forts.     If  Sir  John  had  the  title  of 
Superintendent  of  Indian  Affairs,  it  would  give  the  greatest 
weight  to  his  Majesty's  Indian  affairs — the  Indians  having  the 
greatest  affection  for  the  son  of  their  late  benefactor.     I  wish 
your  Lordship  may  thhik  as  favorably  of  Sir  John's  proposals 
as  I  do,"  <fcc.  &c. 

[enclosure  in  the  above.] 

Sir  John  Johnson  to  Governor  Tryon. 
"  Sir — I  hope  the  occasion  and  intention  of  this  letter  may 
plead  my  excuse  for  the  liberty  I  take,  in  introducing  to  your 
Excellency  the  bearer  hereof.  Captain  Allan  M'Donnell,  who 
will  inform  you  of  many  particulars  which  cannot  at  this  time 
be  safely  communicated  in  writing.  The  distracted  and  con- 
vulsed state  that  this  unhappy  county  is  now  worked  up  to, 
and  the  situation  that  I  am  in  here,  together  with  the  many  obli- 
gations our  family  owe  to  the  best  of  sovereigns,  induce  me  to 
fall  upon  a  plan  that  may,  I  hope,  be  of  service  to  the  country, 
the  propriety  of  which  I  entirely  submit  to  your  Excellency's 
better  judgment,  depending  on  that  friendship  which  you  have 
been  pleased  to  honor  me  with,  for  your  cdvice  on,  and  repre- 
sentation to  His  Majesty,  of  what  I  propose.  Having  consulted 
with  all  my  friends  in  this  quarter,  among  whom  are  many  old 
and  good  officers,  I  have  come  to  the  resolution  of  forming  a 
battalion,  and  have  named  all  the  officers,  most  of  whom  have 
a  good  deal  of  interest  in  their  respective  neighborhoods,  and 
have  seen  a  great  number  of  men  ready  to  complete  the  plan.  We 
must,  liowever,  not  think  of  stirring,  until  support  and  supplies  of 
many  necessaries  to  enable  us  to  carry  our  design  into  execution 
are  received — all  which  Mr.  M'Donnell  will  inibrm  your  Excel- 
lency of.  I  make  not  the  least  doubt  of  the  success  of  this  phm, 
should  we  Ije  supported  in  time.     As  to  news,  I  must  beg  leave 


[1779 


1779.] 


IMPORTANT    NOTK, 


425 


lINE. 


'don, 

L776 


hi 


etter  from 
omplying 
d  Indians 
th  a  body 
he  title  of 
3  greatest 
aving  the 
'.  I  wish 
proposals 


r. 

etter  may 
g  to  your 
inell,  who 
;  this  time 
and  con- 
2d  up  to, 
nany  obli- 
ce  me  to 
i  country, 
cellency's 
you  have 
ind  repre- 
consulted 
many  old 
forming  a 
lom  have 
oods,  and 
plan.  We 
upplies  of 
execution 
ur  Excel- 
tliis  plan, 
beg  leave 


to  refer  you  to  Mr.  McDonnell,  who  will  inform  you  of  every 
thing  that  has  been  done  in  Canada,  that  has  come  to  our  know- 
ledge. As  I  find  by  the  papers  you  are  soon  to  sail  for  England, 
I  despair  of  having  the  pleasure  to  pay  my  respects  to  you,  but 
most  sincerely  wish  you  an  agreeable  voyage,  and  a  happy  sight 
of  your  family  and  friends. 

"  I  am,  your  Excellency's 

"  Most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

'John  Johnson." 

It  was  beyond  doubt  the  organization  and  other  preparations 
indicated  in  the  preceding  letter,  some  knowledge  of  which 
must  have  transpired,  that  induced  Congress  to  direct  the  expe- 
dition into  Tryon  County,  referred  to  above,  which  was  so  vigo- 
rously executed  by  General  Schuyler,  as  narrated  in  the  sixth 
chapter  of  the  present  volume.  And  the  same  Allan  M'Donnell, 
who,  with  Sir  John  Johnson,  was  one  of  the  negotiators  with 
General  Schuyler  on  that  occasion,  was  the  secret  emissary  sent 
by  Sir  John,  one  month  before,  to  negotiate  with  Governor  Try- 
on.  Thus  the  whole  matter  in  respect  to  that  expedition  is  ex- 
plained. 


il 


!•  i 


t.  *  I 


I 


it     I 

I'll 

.it-'  ■ 


:*i; 


^<'., 

*  /  !!.. 


i 


APPENDIX. 


Eii    II 


til- 


>-   ■'    •    i\ 

!'■     '  I 


It  II 


'S't, 


t  'I 


^ 


It  i> 


M 

p' 

1 

1 

ft      , 

i''   \x 


¥ 


APPENDIX. 


No.  I. 


[Reference  from  the  Introduction.] 

[The  following  is  the  article  referred  to  in  the  text.  It  is  ex. 
tracted  from  Almon's  American  Remembrancer,  (a  work  purporting 
to  he  an  authentic  collection  of  facts,  published  in  London  during  the 
Revolutionary  War,)  for  the  year  1782,  Vol.  14,  page  185.  It  was 
long  supposed  to  be  authentic,  but  has  since  been  ascertained  to 
be  a  publication  from  the  pen  of  Doctor  Franklin,  written  for  poli- 
tical purposes.] 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Capain  Gerrish,  of  the  New-England  mi' 
litia,  dated  Albany,  March  Ifh,  1782. 

The  peltry  taken  in  the  expedition  will,  as  you  see,  amount  to  a 
good  deal  of  money.  The  possession  of  this  booty  at  first  gave  us 
pleasure ;  but  we  were  struck  with  horror  to  find  among  the  pack- 
ages  eight  largo  ones,  containing  scalps  of  our  unhappy  folks  taken 
in  the  three  last  years  by  the  Seneca  Indians,  from  ihe  inhabitnnts 
of  the  frontiers  of  Now-York,  New.Jersey,  Pennsyh  .mia,  and  Vir- 
ginia,  and  sent  by  them  as  a  present  to  Col.  Haldiuian,  Governor 
of  Canada,  in  order  to  bo  by  him  transmitted  to  England.  They 
were  accompanied  by  the  following  curious  letter  to  that  gentle- 
man: — 

"  Tioga,  January  3</,  1782. 
•'  May  it  plcaso  your  Excellency, 

At  the  request  of  tlio  Seneca  chiefs,  I  send  herewith  to  your 
Excellency,  under  the  care  of  Jnmos  Uoyd,  eight  packs  of  scalps, 
cured,  dried,  hooped,  and  painted  with  all  the  Indian  triumphal 
marks,  of  which  the  following  is  invoice  and  explanation. 
No.  1.  Containing  43  scalps  of  Congress  soldiers,  killed  in  different 
skirmishes;  these  are  stretched  on  black  hoops,  four  inch  dia- 
meter ;  the  inside  of  the  skin  painted  red,  witii  a  small  black  spot 


r':.i 


ii 


APPENDIX. 


i<lf  i 


"     'It 


I 


•  L^i 


''f 


to  note  their  being  killed  with  bullets.  Also  62  of  farmers,  killed 
in  their  houses;  the  hoops  red  ;  the  skin  painted  brown,  and 
marked  with  a  hoe  ;  a  black  circle  all  round  to  denote  their  be- 
ing surprised  in  the  night ;  and  a  black  hatchet  in  the  middle, 
signifying  their  being  killed  with  that  weapon. 

No.  2.  Containing  98  of  farniers,  killed  in  their  houses  ;  hoops  red  ; 
figure  of  a  hoe,  to  mark  their  profession  ;  great  white  circle 
and  sun,  to  show  they  were  surprised  in  the  day-time ;  a  little 
red  foot,  to  show  they  stood  upon  their  defence,  and  died  fight- 
injr  for  their  lives  and  families. 

No.  3.  Containing  97  of  farmers  ;  hoops  green,  to  show  they  were 
killed  in  their  fields ;  a  large  white  circle  with  a  little  round 
mark  on  it  for  the  sun,  to  show  that  it  was  in  the  daytime  ; 
black  bullet  mark  on  some — hatchet  on  others. 

No  4.  Containing  102  of  farmers,  mixed  of  the  several  n;arks 
above  ;  only  18  marked  with  a  little  yellow  flame,  to  denote 
their  being  of  prisoners  burnt  alive,  after  being  scalped,  their 
nails  pulled  out  by  the  roots,  and  other  torments ;  one  of  these 
latter  supposed  to  be  of  a  rebel  clergyman,  his  band  being  fixed 
to  the  hoop  of  his  scalp.  Most  of  the  farmers  appear  by  the 
hair  to  have  been  young  or  middle  aged  men  ;  their  being  but 
67  very  gray  heads  among  them  all ;  which  makes  the  service 
more  essential. 

No.  6.  Containing  88  scalps  of  women  ;  hair  long,  braided  in  the 
Indian  fashion,  to  show  they  were  mothers  ;  hoops  blue  ;  skin 
yellow  ground,  with  little  red  tadpoles,  to  represent,  by  way  of 
triumph,  the  tears  of  grief  occasioned  to  their  relations ;  a 
black  Ecalping.knifo  or  hatchet  at  the  bottom,  to  mark  their 
being  killed  with  those  instruments  ;  17  others,  hair  very  gray  ; 
black  hoops ;  plain  brown  colour,  no  mark  but  the  short  club 
or  cassetete,  to  show  they  were  knocked  down  dead,  or  had 
their  brains  beat  out. 

No.  6.  Containing  193  boys' scalps,  of  various  ages;  small  green 
hoops  ;  whitish  ground  on  the  skin,  with  red  tears  in  the  mid> 
die,  and  black  bullet  marks,  knife,  hatchet,  or  club,  as  their 
deaths  happened. 

No.  7.  211  girls  scalped,  big  and  little;  small  yellow  hoops;  white 
groimd  ;  tears,  hatchet,  club,  scalping-knife,  6ic. 

No.  8.  This  package  is  a  mixture  of  all  the  varieties  abovo>mon> 
tionod,  to  the  number  of  122  ;  with  a  box  of  birch  bark,  con« 
taining  29  little  infants'  scalps  of  various  sizes ;  small  white 
hoops ;  white  ground. 


APPENDIX. 


iii 


With  these  packs  the  Chiefs  send  to  your  Excellency  the  follow* 
ing  speech,  delivered  by  Coneiogatcliie,  in  council,  interpreted  by 
the  elder  Moore,  the  trader,  and  taken  down  by  me  in  writing. 

"  Father! — We  send  you  herewith  many  scalps,  that  you  may 
see  that  we  are  not  idle  friends.     A  blue  belt. 

"  Father  ! — We  wish  you  to  send  these  scalps  over  the  water  to 
the  Great  King,  that  he  may  regard  them  and  be  refreshed  ;  and 
that  he  may  see  our  faithfulness  in  destroying  his  enemies,  and  be 
convinced  that  his  presents  have  not  been  made  to  ungrateful  people. 
A  blue  and  white  belt  with  red  tassels. 

"  Father  ! — Attend  to  what  I  am  now  going  to  say  ;  it  is  a  mat. 
ter  of  much  weight.  The  great  King's  enemies  are  many,  and  they 
grow  fast  in  number.  Tliey  were  formerly  like  young  panthers ; 
they  could  neither  bite  nor  scratch  ;  we  could  play  with  llicm  snfely  ;_ 
we  feared  nothing  they  could  do  to  us.  But  now  their  bodies  aro 
become  big  as  the  elk,  and  strong  as  the  bulFalo  ,  ♦'ley  have  also  got 
great  and  sharp  claws.  They  iiavo  driven  «is  out  of  our  country 
by  taking  part  in  your  quarrel.  We  expect  the  great  King  will 
give  us  another  country,  that  out  children  may  live  after  us,  and  bo 
his  friends  and  child  1  on  as  wear,. — Say  this  for  us  to  the  great 
King.  To  enforce  it,  wo  give  this  belt.  A  groat  white  belt  with 
blue  tassels. 

*'  Father! — We  have  only  to  say  further,  that  your  traders  exact 
more  that  ever  for  their  goods ;  and  our  hunting  is  lessened  by  tho 
war,  so  that  we  have  fewer  skins  to  give  for  them.  This  ruins  us. 
Think  of  some  remedy.  We  are  poor,  and  you  have  plenty  of  every 
thin<r.  Wo  know  you  will  send  us  powder  and  guns,  and  knives, 
and  hatchets  ;  but  we  also  want  shirls  and  blaidicts.     A  litlle  whito 

belt." 

I  do  not  doubt  but  that  your  Excellency  will  think  it  proper  to 
give  some  further  encouragement  to  those  honest  people.  Tho 
high  prices  they  complain  of,  are  the  necessary  efleet  of  tli(!  war. 
Whatever  presents  may  be  sent  for  thiMU  through  my  hinds  shall  bo 
distributed  with  prudence  ai\d  fidelity,     I  have  tho  honour  of  be- 


ing 


Your  Excellency's  most  obedient, 

And  most  humble  servant, 

JAMES  CRAUFURD. 


I'Mil 


■  \\ 


>    . 


5<> 


IV 


APPENDIX. 


No.  II. 


[Reference  from  Page  104.] 


h  I 


M^ifji, 


Account  of  the  treaty  held  at  Albany,  in  August  1775,  with  thd 
Six  Nations,  by  the  Commissioners  of  the  Twelve  United  Colonies, 
met  at  General  Congress  at  Philadelphia. 

The  Commissioners  on  the  part  of  the  Colonies,  were  Major  Ge- 
neral Philip  Schuyler,  Major  Joseph  Hawley,  Mr.  Turbot  Francis, 
Mr.  Oliver  Wolcott,  and  Mr.  Volkcrt  P.  Douw.  After  the  ad- 
journment from  German  Flatts,  and  the  arrival  of  the  Indians  at 
Albany,  as  stated  in  the  text,  the  following  proceedings  were  had. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Commissioners  for  transacting  Indian  affairs 
in  the  northern  department,  held  at  Albany  on  Wednesday,  the  23d 
iugust,  1775.     Present, 

Gen.  Sohuvler,  Col.  Francis,  Mr.  Douw. 

Resolved,  unanimously,  that  the  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations  be 
invited  to  receive  our  congratulations  on  their  safe  arrival  here  ; 
that  it  be  at  five  o'clock  this  afternoon  ;  that  the  committee  of  the 
city  of  Albany  and  the  principal  gentlemen  of  the  place  lie  requested 
to  accompany  the  Commissioners ;  and  that  the  following  letters  be 
wrote  for  that  purpose  to  the  chairman  of  the  committee. 


Albany,  2M  August,  1775. 
GENTiiEMEN. — Your  gcncrous  exertions  to  support  the  American 
cause  against  the  nefarious  schemes  of  a  wicked  and  profligate  mi- 
nistry, the  propriety  with  which  you  have  conducted  those  Indian 
aflaira  that  have  become  the  subject  of  your  consideration,  a  con- 
sciousness that  without  your  aid,  and  that  of  gentlemen  of  the  town 
conversant  in  those  matters,  the  important  business  of  the  ensuing 
conference  cannot  bo  so  properly  conducted  as  our  zeal  for  the  ser- 
vice makes  us  wish,  aro  so  many  motives  which  point  out  to  us  the 
necessity  of  calling  on  you  and  tiioso  gentlemen  for  your  aid  and 
advice ;  which  wo  entreat  you  will  give  us  without  rnservo ;  and 
be  assured  that  it  will  be  attended  to  with  all  that  deference  that  is 
duo  to  yotir  respectable  body  and  to  their  good  jiidgmont.  Wo 
propose  to  pay  a  visit  this  afternoon  at  five  o'clock  to  the  Indians. 
We  beg  the  favor  of  the  coinniitteo  to  honor  us  with  their  com- 
pany, as  so  respectable  a  body  will  greatly  add  to  the  complimentary 
visit  wo  tnean  to  pay  them.     Wo  shall  go  fVon»  Curt  Wright's,  and 


i  ft 


with  the 
Colonies, 

[ajor  Ge- 
Fruncis, 
the  ad- 
ndians  at 
re  had. 
in  affairs 
,  the  23d 


ations  be 
^al  here  ; 
ee  of  the 
requested 
letters  be 


1775. 

American 

ignto  mi- 

n  Indian 

n,  a  con- 

tlic  town 

ensuing 

tlio  sor- 

to  us  the 

aid  and 

•vo ;  and 

tliat  is 

nt.     Wo 

Indians. 

•ir  com- 

iMKintary 

Ill's,  and 


I 


APPENDIX.  V 

shall  take  it  as  a  favor  if  the  gentlemen  of  the  town,  who  are  not 
of  the  committee,  would  be  pleased  to  go  with  us. 
We  are,  gentlemen,  with  great  respect, 

Your  most  humble  servants, 

I'.  ScHUYLEH, 
VoLKERT  P.  DOUW, 

TuKBOT  Francis. 

To  which  the  committee  returned  the  following  answer : — 

Gentlemen, — Your  poUte  invitation  for  us  to  join  in  paying  a 
complimentary  visit  to  the  Indians  this  afternoon  at  five  o'clock,  we 
accept  of,  and  shall  for  that  purpose  attend  at  Cartwright's  at  the 
hour  appointed. 

We  are,  gentlemen,  your  most  humble  servants. 
By  order  of  the  committee, 

Abraham  Yates,  Jr.  Chairman. 

The  sachems  and  warriors  of  the  Six  Nations  being  assembled, 
the  Commissioners,  attended  by  the  committee  and  principal  gen. 
tJcnien  of  the  city  of  Albany,  met  them,  and  addressed  them  as  fol- 
lows : — 

BuioTiiREN  OF  THE  Six  NATIONS, — We,  the  deputies  appointed 
by  the  Twelve  United  Colonies,  the  decendants  of  (^iiodar,  *  and  the 
gentlemen  of  the  city  of  Albany,  congratulate  you  on  your  arrival 
here.  They  arc  glad  to  see  you  well,  and  thank  the  great  God  that 
he  suffers  us  to  meet. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Commissioners  for  transacting  Indian  afiairs 
for  the  northern  department  held  at  the  city  of  Albany,  on  Tuesday, 
25th  of  August,  1775.         Pirsent, 

Grn.  SciiuvtBR,  Col.  Wui.cott,  Col.  Francis,  Mr.  Douw. 

The  following  message  was  sent  to  the  coininittoo  of  the  citizens  of 
Albany : — 

Albany,  2!jlh  August,  1775. 

Gentlemen, — The  Commissioners  of  Indian  affairs  are  to  open 
the  treaty  with  the  Six  Nations  this 'morning,  about  eleven,  at  the 
Dutch  church.  They  request  the  favor  of  your  attendance,  and 
that  of  the  principal  gentlemen  of  the  town,  and  would  wish,  prevU 

•  "  ducdar,"  tho  name  wliich  tlio  Indians  had  givon  Qovemor  Stiiy  voaant — beinj^ 
probably,  Uio  result  of  tliulr  effort  to  pronounce  tlic  name  "  Potor." 


•  <    I 


n 


*,. 


:  n!    It 


■  ii'i 


mu 
i 


<& 


Ti  Ai'i'i;M)rx. 

ous  to  the  meeting,  to  be  honored  with  your  company  at  Cart- 
wriglit's. 

To  Abraham  Yates,  h'.  Esq.  Chairman  of  the  committee  of 
Albany.  ^ 

The  chairman  and  committee  attended  agreeable  to  invitation. 

In  the  course  of  their  interview  with  the  Commissioners  this  day, 
the  Indians  stated  that  they  had  some  business  to  transact  witii  the 
people  of  Albany,  with  whom  they  were  desirous  of  having  an  inter- 
view  before  proceeding  with  the  main  object  for  v,  liich  the  Council 
had  been  convened.  They  therefore  requested  a  day  for  that  pur- 
pose.  The  request  was  granted — a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Al- 
bany was  held  immediiiteiv,  at  which  Waltkr  Livinuston,  Jkre- 
MiAii  Van  Renselaer,  and  Di{.  SamuklStrixgku  were  appointed 
a  committee  to  hold  the  preliminary  council  with  the  Indians. 
The  interview  took  place  on  the  same  evening,  when  Soaghnagerat, 
an  Oneida  sachem,  opened  the  proceedings  by  tlie  following 
speech  : — 

"  Brothers  of  Albatmy: — We  beg  you  will  acquaint  us  when 
your  body  is  complete. 

♦'  Brotehrs  of  Albany  : — The  day  is  now  come  that  we  have 
arrived  in  consequence  of  your  invitation.  When  you  saw  four  of 
the  Oneida  Nations,  you  said  you  was  glad  to  see  them  at  your 
Council  Chamber.  We  are  now  here  in  consequence  thereof. 
You  told  us  you  would  be  glad  to  see  us  again — tliat  you  rejoiced 
to  see  them,  and  that  you  would  open  the  aslies,  and  rekindle  the 
old  council. fire  at  Albany.  We  are  glad  to  see  that  some  of  the 
sparks  of  timt  old  council-fire  yet  remain.  Wo  rejoice,  e  ven  to 
excess,  to  find  it  so. 

"  Brothers  attend  ! — I  have  one  addition  to  make  to  what 
passed  between  four  of  the  Oneida  Nation  and  you,  when  last  at 
your  Council  Chamber.  Wlien  you  found  from  our  conference 
with  your  brothers  at  the  German  Flatts,  that  our  sentiments  of 
public  affairs  so  much  coincided  with  yours,  you  fiirther  told  us  that 
all  the  governments  of  America  on  the  sca-coasts  were  anxious  to 
know  whether  we  were  disposed  to  peace,  and  that  you,  the  Twelve 
United  Colonies,  were  resolved  to  support  your  civil  constitution 
and  liberties,  and  you  rejoiced  to  find  that  we  all  so  firmly  re- 
solved  to  maintain  peace. 

"  Brotiters  of  Alranv  : — You  farther  obscM'ved,  in  the  intercourse 
you  had  with  four  of  tlio  Oneida  Nation,  that  you  greatly  rejoiced 
at  the  conference  you  had  at  the  (lerman  Flatts.  You  farther  said 
that  you  was  surprised  about  u  letter  Guy  Johnson  hud  received 


.J.   ■■ 

i 


APPENDIX. 


vii 


'  at  Cart. 

imittee   of 

itation. 
i  this  day, 
t  with  the 
\  an  inter, 
e  Council 

that  pur- 
ens  of  Al- 
ON,  Jehe- 
appointed 
!  Indians, 
hnagerat, 

following 

:  us  when 

we  have 
iw  four  of 
I  at  your 
!  thereof. 
I  rejoiced 
kindle  the 
ine  of  the 

e  vcn  to 

to  what 
3n  last  at 
on  Terence 
iincnt-s  of 
dd  us  that 
nxious  to 
e  Twelve 
tislitution 
Srmly  re- 

tcrcourse 

r  rejoiced 

•thor  said 

received 


from  the  cliief  warrior,  General  Gage,  about  removing  the  mi- 
nisters from  among  us.  That  you  rejoiced  that  the  Indians^vere  in- 
structed  in  the  Christian  religion,  and  that  the  ministers  that  were 
among  us  might  continue. 

"  BuoTHEKs  OF  Alraxy,  ATTEND  ! — We  havc  something  further 
yet  to  relate  of  your  speech.  You  desired,  at  the  intercourse  vou 
had  with  the  four  messengers,  tliat  we  should  acquaint  the  Six  Nn- 
tions  with  your  s])cech,  and  that  thereafter  three  or  four  of  each 
Nation  should  come  down.  You  farther  said  that  you  would  havc 
been  glad  to  have  attended  at  the  council-fire  at  Guy  Johnson's  to 
hear  what  he  should  say  to  the  Indians,  and  see  if  his  sentiments 
and  yours  sliould  coincide.  But  you  then  soon  heard  that  he  had 
removed  from  tliere  to  Fort  Stanwix,  from  there  to  Oswego  ;  that 
you  despaired  of  hearing  any  tiling  from  him,  and  therefore  desired 
us  that  we  would  let  you  know  what  was  done  at  that  fire. 

"  BiJOTUEKs,  ATTEND  ! — You  made  another  proposal  at  the  inter- 
course you  had  with  four  of  our  Nation,  which  was  this  : — tluit  you 
had  heard  that  there  was  to  he  a  council  of  the  whole  of  our  Nation 
at  the  German  Flatts,  you  desired  our  people  that  they  would  let 
you  know  what  passed  between  us  and  them.  Our  delegates,  in 
our  names,  then  told  you  that  it  would  be  more  agreeable  that  two 
or  more  of  your  members  should  attend,  and  hear  themselves  what 
passed  there.  This,  brethren,  is  the  substance  of  what  passed  be- 
tween  you  and  the  four  of  the  Oneida  Nation. 

"  Bkothers  or  Alhany,  attend  ! — We  now,  upon  this  day,  go. 
ing  through  with  what  passed  between  some  of  your  members  and 
us,  when  the  conference  ended  at  German  Flatts.  You  said — Bro. 
thcrs,  let  us  both  endeavor  to  keep  peace,  that  we  may  continue  to 
enjoy  its  blessings.  We  desire  not  that  you  should  trouble  your- 
selves in  the  least  with  these  disputes  between  us  and  those  over  the 
great  waters  ;  only  exert  yourselves  in  maintaining  the  covenant 
that  was  made  between  your  and  our  forefathers,  at  this  place  of 
our  council-tire.  Your  delegates  told  us  at  the  German  Flatts,  that, 
although  you  shoidd  be  drove  back  from  the  sca-coast  by  your 
enemies,  yet  you  would  not  ask  our  aid. 

"Bi{t)TiiEHs  OK  Aluany,  faktuek  ATTEND ! — Two  tilings  moro 
you  delivered  at  the  Geriu'vu  Flatts.  The  first  was  this  ; — That  we, 
the  Oneida  Nation,  should  give  a  kind  ear  to  your  speech  ;  you 
then  produced  two  ancient  belts  of  wampum, — one  of  twenty  rows, 
which  was  the  old  covenant  between  the  whole  Oneida  Nation  and 
Quctl(tr-(ii>r(iJi  ;  aiiotlKU-  that  was  given  by  the  Six  Nations,  by  the 
Indian  called  Kcii/iit<^unrughloh,  of   the  Sonccu  Nation  ;  you  also 


l'> 


;iii.^ 


**■ 


',  (' 


ii  'I 


VIU 


APPENDIX. 


said  that  these  belts  should  again  be  produced  for  the  inspection  of 
the  whole  Six  Nations  at  the  intended  council-fire  to  be  re-kindled 
at  Albany. 

"  Bkothehs  of  Albanv  : — We  have  now  finished  the  principal 
subjects  that  passed  between  you  and  us,  the  Oneida  Nation ;  and 
we,  all  of  us,  the  Six  Nations,  are  here  now  present,  to  hear  what 
has  passed,  and  to  prevent  any  false  reports  that  may  be  propa- 
gated by  news  carriers. 

"  Brothers  of  Albany,  now  attend  ! — You,  also,  the  commis. 
sioners  who  are  here  present,  lend  your  ears  and-  hear  our  voice. 
You,  our  brothers  of  Albany,  have  desired  the  sentiments  of  the  Six 
Nations.  We,  the  Six  Nations  and  our  allies,  which  extend  to  Detroit, 
Ohio,  and  Caughnawaga,  upon  our  first  hearing  the  bad  news  that 
circulated  along  the  eastern  sliore  of  this  island,  assembled  and  resolv- 
ed upon  a  union  amongst  us,  Indians,  and  to  maintain  peace  ;  and  we 
rejoice  that  nothing  more  has  been  asked  of  us.  There  is  nothing  dif. 
ferent  in  our  minds  than  what  we  have  now  told.  We  shall  not  take 
notice  of  any  hostile  propositions  that  may  be  made  to  us,  for  wo 
bear  an  equal  proportion  of  love  to  you  and  the  others  over  the 
great  waters  in  the  present  dispute ;  and  we  shall  remain  at  peace 
and  smoke  our  pipes ;  and  the  Six  Nations  will  always  keep  the 
path  open,  and  we  call  God  to  witness  to  the  truth  of  what  we  now 
say,  and  it  proceeds  from  our  hearts.  [A  belt  of  eight  rows.] 

"  Bhotiiehs  of  Alhany,  now  attend,  and  incline  your  ears  to 
what  we  have  now  to  say: — 

"  We,  the  Six  Nations,  have  heard  tho  voice  of  a  bird  called 
Tskleleli,  a  news  carrier,  that  came  among  us.  It  has  told  us  that 
the  path  at  the  western  communication,  by  Fort  Stanwix,  would 
be  shut  up,  eithoi  by  the  one  party  or  the  other.  Brothers,  let  it 
not  be  ;  and  let  the  communication  be  open  for  passing  and  re- 
passing,  and  let  not  our  country  be  stained  with  blood,  and  be  al- 
ways  compassionate  to  the  old  women,  and  let  the  young  ones  grow 
up  and  enjoy  the  blessings  of  peacu.  Brothers,  let  not  that  passage 
be  shut  up  by  you,  but  confine  yourselves  to  the  dispute  to  the  east- 
ward ;  for  this  western  communication  lays  near  our  counciUfire, 
and  the  consequence  might  be  fatal.  Indeed,  Brothers,  your  lan- 
guage and  Col.  Guy  Johnson's  coincides,  in  some  things,  with  one 
another  ;  and  the  party  that  applies  to  us  to  shut  up  that  passage 
we  will  look  upon  as  deceivers  and  transgressors  ;  and  we  despise 
a  double-dealer  from  our  hearts,  and  whom  we  look  upon  God  Al- 
mighty  will  hcreafler  punish  as  such.     And  we  hope  that  when  you 


APPENDIX. 


it 


give  your  answer,  you  will  speak  from  the  integrity  of  your  hearts, 
as  we  now  have  done.     [A  belt  offfteen  rows.'\ 

"  Brothers  of  Albany,  attend  ! — The  Five  Nations  just  now 
said  they  would  open  their  minds  in  full  to  you, — they  would  tell 
you  every  thing  they  brought  with  them.  This  Belt  respects  the 
letter  Guy  Johnson  received  from  General  Gage,  concerning  the 
removal  of  the  ministers  from  among  us.  Our  father,  the  minister 
who  stands  here,  we  love,*  we  love  him  exceedingly.  Perhaps,  in  a 
little  time,  he  may  be  wrested  from  us,  carried  off  like  a  prisoner. 
Our  hearts  tremble  for  him — we  tremble  greatly.  He  has  been 
threatened  ;  and  should  he  be  taken,  it  might  overthrow  the  whole 
Five  Nations.  Our  brothers,  t'le  white  people,  would,  perhaps,  say 
that  the  Oneida  Nation  had  delivered  up  their  minister,  and  that 
the  Six  Nations  did  not  regard  their  missionaries.  But,  truly,  we 
regard  our  father,  the  minister,  and  missionaries  ;  therefore,  we 
propose  to  your  consideration,  whether  it  be  not  wise  that  the  mis- 
sionaries  retire  for  a  little  while  ;  particularly  our  father,  the  mi- 
nister, Mr.  Kirkland,  should  reside  a  short  space  with  his  family,  as 
we  hope  this  quarrel  cannot  subsist  long,  because  you  are  l)rothers, 
both  of  one  nation  and  blood,  and  we  hope  it  will  soon  be  settled  : 
and  when  a  reconciliation  takes  place,  let  our  missionaries  imme- 
diately return  to  us  ;  this,  however,  we  refer  to  your  consideration, 
and  leave  at  your  pleasure.  Now,  Brethren,  we  have  unburthened 
our  minds,  and  opened  our  bosoms,  and  delivered  what  we  had  to  say." 
To  which  the  Albanian  Committee  made  the  following  reply  : — 
"  Brothers  of  the  Six  Nations  ! — We  thank  you  for  your 
speech.  The  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  Twelve  United  Colo- 
nies,  and  with  our  consent,  will  first  transact  business  with  you  ; 
after  they  have  done,  we  will  answer  your  speech." 

At  a  treaty  began  and  held  with  the  Indians  of  the  Six  United 
Nations  at  the  city  of  Albany,  on  Friday,  the  25th  of  August, 
1775— Present- 
Gen.  Schuyler,  Col.  Oliver  Wolcott,  Col.  Turbot  Francis,  Volkert 
P.  Douw,  Commissoners ;  the  Chairman  and  Committee,  and  prin- 
cipal  inhabitants  of  the  city  of  Albany.  Tiie  proceedings  were  open- 
ed  by  the  Oneida  sachem,  Scaghnagerat,  by  the  following  speech  : — 
"  Brothers  : — We  acquainted  you  yesterday  evening,  that  we 
should  first  speak  to  our  brethren,  the  Committee  of  Albany.  Wo 
have  done  so,  and  have  opened  our  whole  minds  to  them. 

"  Brothkrs  : — When  we  mot  two  of  your  body  at  the  German 
Flatts,  they  presented  these  strings  to  us,  and  invited  us  to  come 

♦  Rev.  Mr.  Kirkland. 


k"  t 


%: 
i-J 


.1 


X  APPENDIX. 

down  to  Albany,  and  kindle  up  a  great  council-fire  of  peace,  un- 
der the  auspices  of  the  Twelve  United  Colonies.  Now,  as  these 
strings  have  never  been  changed,  we  return  them  to  you  again,  and 
desire  that  the  great  council-fire  of  peace  may  be  kindled  up. 

"  Brothers  : — You  desired  us  to  shut  our  ears,  and  fortify  our 
minds  against  any  evil  reports  that  we  might  hearonour  way  down, 
and  to  pay  no  regard  to  what  any  liars  and  ill-disposed  persons 
might  say  to  us,  as  they  would  only  mean  to  sow  dissention  between 
us  and  our  brothers  of  the  Twelve  United  Colonies. 

"  Bkothkrs  : — Our  minds  are  proof  against  the  attempts  of  such 
wicked  persons.  Now,  Brothers,  let  us  give  you  a  little  advice  on 
our  parts.  There  are  liars  and  miichief-makers  among  the  Indians, 
as  well  as  amongst  the  white  people.  Therefore  pay  no  regard  to 
this  or  that  that  any  single  Indian  may  say,  but  attend  to  what 
you  may  hear  from  the  mouth  of  our  great  council ;  for  that  will  bo 
the  truth,  and  the  sense  of  all  the  Six  United  Nations." 

The  Commissioners  then  replied  in  the  following  words  : — 

"  Brothers,  Sachems,  a?{d  Warriors  of  the  Six  Nations  !— 
We  return  thanks  to  the  Great  God  that  has  suffered  us  to  meet 
together  this  day,  in  love,  peace,  and  friendship.  In  token  of 
which  we  will  now  sit  down  and  smoke  the  pip*  of  peace  together." 

[Here  the  great  calumet  was  lighted  up,  and  went  round  ;  after 
which  the  Commissioners  proceeded  : — ] 

"  Brothers  : — We,  the  deputies  appointed  by  and  in  the  name  oi 
the  Twelve  United  Colonies,  assisted  by  the  descendants  of  your 
ancient  friend  Quedar,  and  your  Albany  brethren,  embrace  this 
opportunity  to  rekindle  the  ancient  council-fire,  which  formerly 
burnt  as  bright  as  the  sun  in  this  place,  and  to  heap  on  it  so  much 
fuel  that  it  may  never  be  extinguished ;  and  also  to  renew  the  an- 
cient  covenant  chain  with  you,  which  you  know  has  always  been 
kept  bright  and  clean,  without  any  stain  or  rust ;  and  which  by  Ihia 
belt  we  now  strengthen,  that  for  ever  hereafter  you  and  wc  may 
have  but  one  heart,  one  head,  one  eye,  and  one  hand.      [A  belt.] 

"  Brethren  :-Our  business  with  you,  besides  kindling  the  ancient 
council-fire,  and  renewing  the  covenant  and  brightening  up  every 
link  of  the  chain,  is,  in  tho  first  place,  to  inform  you  of  the  advice 
that  was  given,  about  thirty  years  ago,  by  your  wise  forefathers,  in 
a  great  council  which  they  held  at  Lancaster  in  Pennsylvania, 
when  Cannassateego  spoke  to  us  in  these  very  words.*    *  Brethren, 

♦  Sec  Colden's  Hisfoiy  of  the  Five  Nations,  and  Massachusctta  Historical  Col- 
lodion, for  nn  account  of  the  treaty  referred  to — 1744. 


ft 


APPENDIX. 


XI 


*  we,  the  Six  Nations,  heartily  recommend  unison  and  a  good  agree- 
*m*ent  between  you,  our  brethren.  Never  disagree,  but  preserve  a 
'strict  friendship  for  one  another  ;  and  thoreby  you,  as  well  as  we, 
♦will  become  the  stronger.  Our  wise  forefathers  establisiicd  unison 
'  and  amity  between  the  Five  Nations.  This  has  made  us  formid. 
'  able :    this  has  given  us  great  weight  and  authority  with  our 

*  neighboring  nations.  We  are  a  powerful  confederacy  ;  and  if 
'  you  observe  the  same  methods  our  wise  forefathers  have  taken,  you 
'  will  acquire  fresh  strength  and  power.     Therefore,  whatever  be- 

*  falls  you,  never  fall  out  with  one  another.'  Tjiese  were  the  words 
of  Cannassateego. 

"  Brothers  :— Our  forefathers  rejoiced  to  hear  Canmssateego 
speak  these  words.  They  sunk  deep  into  their  hearts.  Tlie  ad- 
vice was  good.  It  was  kind.  They  said  to  one  another,  'The 
'Six  nations  are  a  wise  people.  Let  us  hearken  to  them,  and  tiike 
'their  counsel,  and  teach  our  children  to  follow  it.  Our  old  men 
'  have  done  so.'  They  have  frequently  taken  a  single  arrow,  and  said 
- — '  Children,  see  how  easy  it  is  broken.'  Then  tiiey  have  taken  and 
tied  twelve  arrows  together  witii  a  strong  string,  and  our  strongest 
men  could  not  break  them.  'See,'  said  they,  'tliis  is  what  the  Six 
'Nations  mean.  Divided,  a  single  man  may  destroy  you.  United, 
'you  are  a  nratch  for  the  whole  world.'  We  thank  the  Great  God 
that  we  are  aii  united  :  that  we  have  a  strong  confederacy,  com- 
posed of  twelve  provinces.*  These  provinces  have  lighted  a  great 
council-fire  at  Philadelphia,  and  have  sent  sixty. five  counsellors  to 
speak  and  act  in  the  name  of  the  whole,  and  consult  for  the  com- 
mon  good  of  the  people,  and  of  you,  our  brethren  of  the  Six  Na- 
tions,  and  your  allies  :  the  talk  of  this  great  council  we  shall  de- 
liver to  you  to-morrow." 

The  Council  having  resumed  business  on  tlie  26th,  the  proceed, 
ings  were  opened  by  the  Commissioners  in  the  fdllowing  manner  : — 

"  Brothers,  Sachems,  and  Wahhioks  ! — Let  this  string  open 
your  ears  to  hear,  and  incline  your  hearts  to  accept,  the  talk  of  the 
Twelve  United  Colonies,  which  they  have  sent  to  you  by  their 
deputies.     They  speak  as  follows  : — 

" '  Brothers  Sachems,  and  Warriors  : — Wo,  the  delegates  from 
the  Twelve  United  Provinces,  viz..  New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts 
Bay,  Rhode  Island,  Connecticut,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  the 
three  lower  counties  of  Newcastle,  Kent,  and  Sussex,  on  Delaware, 
Maryland,  Virginia,  North  Carolina  and  South  Carolina,  now  sit. 
ting  in  general  congress  at  Philadelphia,  send  this  talk  to  you,  our 

♦  Whicli  were  omiincrated. 

00 


'1.: 


Vl 


xu 


AFFUNOIX. 


n  ■ 


|:   ^    I 


1  J' 


II' 5>     !1 


'  :•*^' 


brothers.  We  are  sixty-five  in  number,  chosen  and  appointed  by 
the  people  throughout  all  these  provinces  and  colonies,  to  meet  and 
«t  together  in  one  great  council,  to  consult  together  for  the  com- 
mon good  of  the  land,  and  speak  and  act  for  them. 

"'Brotbeks  : — In  our  consultation  we  have  judged  it  proper  and 
necessary  to  send  you  this  talk,  as  we  are  upon  the  same  island, 
that  you  may  be  informed  of  the  reasons  of  this  great  council,  the 
situation  of  our  civil  constitution,  and  our  disposition  toward  you, 
our  Indian  brothers  of  the  Six  Nations,  and  their  allies.  [Three 
strings,  or  a  small  6eZ^] 

" '  Brotiiurs  and  Friends,  now  attend  ! — When  our  fathers 
crossed  the  great  waters  and  came  over  to  this  land,  the  King  of 
England  gave  them  a  talk ;  assuring  them  that  they  and  their  chiU 
dren  should  be  his  children,  and  that  if  they  would  leave  their  na- 
tive country  and  make  settlements,  and  live  here,  and  buy  and  sell, 
and  trade  with  their  brethren  beyond  the  water,  they  should  still 
keep  hold  of  the  same  covenant  chain  and  enjoy  peace.  And  it 
was  covenanted  that  the  fields,  houses,  goods,  and  possessions,  which 
our  fathers  should  acquire,  should  remain  to  them  as  their  own,  and 
be  their  children's  for  ever,  and  at  their  sole  disposal. 

«•  ♦  Trusting  that  this  covenant  should  never  be  broken,  our  fa- 
thers came  a  great  distance  beyond  the  water,  laid  out  their  money 
here,  built  houses,  cleared  fields,  raised  crops,  and  through  their  own 
labor  and  industry  grew  tall  and  strong. 

*' '  They  have  bought,  sold,  and  traded  with  England,  according  to 
agreement ;  sending  to  them  such  things  as  they  wanted,  and  taking 
in  exchange  such  things  as  are  wanted  here.  The  King  of  Eng 
land  and  his  people  kept  the  way  open  for  more  than  one  hundred 
years,  and  by  our  trade  became  richer,  and  by  a  union  with  us, 
greater  and  stronger  than  the  other  kings  and  people  who  live  be- 
yond the  water. 

"'AH  this  time  they  lived  in  great  friendship  with  us,  and  we 
with  them  ;  for  we  are  brothers — one  blood. 

"  ♦  Whenever  they  were  struck,  we  instantly  felt  as  though  the 
blow  had  been  given  to  us — their  enemies  were  our  enemies. 

" '  Whenever  they  went  to  war,  we  sent  our  men  to  stand  by 
their  side  and  fight  for  them,  and  our  money  to  help  them  and  make 
them  strong.  That  wo  have  done  this.  Brothers,  you  have  been  all 
witnesses  to  in  the  last  war.  You  know  we  assisted  them  in  taking 
Niagara,  Cataroqui,  Ticonderoga,  Crown  Point,  and  Canada  ;  and 
lastly,  when  they  had  no  more  enemies  upon  this  island,  we  went 
to  fight,  and  helped  them  to  take  many  large  islands  that  lay  in 


APPENDIX. 


Xlll 


lointed  by 

meet  and 

•  the  com- 

iroper  and 
!\e  island, 
tuncil,  the 
ward  you, 
,     {Three 

ur  fathers 
e  King  of 
their  chiU 

their  na- 

r  and  sell, 

lould  still 

And  it 

ns,  which 

own,  and 

n,  our  fa- 
;ir  money 
their  own 

ording  to 
[id  taking 
;  of  Eng 
hundred 
with  us, 
0  live  be- 

and  we 

ough  the 

3. 

stand  by 
nd  make 
been  all 
n  taking 
da ;  and 
we  went 
t  lay  in 


the  hot  countries,  where  they  got  more  than  thirty  cart-loads  of 
silver.  They  thanked  us  for  our  love,  and  sent  us  good  tokens,  and 
renewed  their  promise  to  bu  our  people  forever;  and  when  the 
war  was  over,  they  said,  children,  we  thank  you  that  you  have 
helped  to  make  us  great.  We  know  that  it  has  cost  you  a  great 
deal  of  money  ;  and  therefore,  children,  we  give  you  a  present,  that 
you  may  maintain  your  warriors. 

♦"  Brothrrs  and  Friends,  oi'ex  a  kind  ear. — We  will  now  tell 
you  of  the  quarrel  betwixt  the  counsollors  of  King  George  and  the 
habitants  and  colonies  of  America. 

" '  Many  of  his  counsellors  are  proud  and  wicked  men.  They 
persuade  the  King  to  break  the  covenant  chain,  and  not  to  send  us 
any  more  good  talks.  A  considerable  number  have  prevailed  upon 
him  to  enter  into  a  new  covenant  against  us,  and  have  torn  asun- 
der  and  cast  behind  their  backs  the  good  old  covenant  which  their 
ancestors  and  ours  entered  into  and  took  strong  hold  of. 

"  ♦  They  now  tell  us,  they  will  slip  their  hands  into  our  pocket 
without  asking,  as  though  it  were  their  own  :  and  at  their  plea- 
sure  they  will  take  from  us  our  charters  or  written  civil  constitu- 
tion, which  we  love  as  our  lives ;  also  our  plantations,  our  houses, 
and  goods,  whenever  they  please,  without  asking  our  leave.  That 
our  vessels  may  go  io  thus  island  in  the  sea,  but  to  this  or  that  par- 
ticular island  we  shall  not  trade  any  more.  And,  in  case  of  our 
non-compliance  with  these  new  orders,  they  shut  up  our  har- 
bors. 

"  '  Brothers  : — This  is  our  present  situation — thus  have  many  of 
the  King's  counsellors  and  servants  dealt  with  us.  If  we  submit, 
or  comply  with  their  demands,  you  can  easily  perceive  to  what 
a  state  we  will  be  reduced.  If  our  people  labor  on  the  field,  they 
will  not  know  who  shall  enjoy  the  crop ;  if  they  hunt  in  the 
woods,  it  will  be  uncertain  who  shall  taste  of  the  meat  or  have 
the  skins ;  if  they  build  houses,  they  will  not  know  whether  they 
may  sit  round  the  fire  with  their  wives  and  children ;  they  can- 
not be  sure  whether  they  shall  be  permitted  to  eat,  drink,  and  wear 
the  fruits  of  their  own  labor  and  industry. 

"  *  Brothers  and  Friends  of  the  Six  Nations,  attend  ! — We 
upon  this  island  have  often  spoke  and  intreated  the  King,  and  his  ser- 
vants the  counsellors,  that  peace  and  harmony  might  still  continue 
between  us  ;  that  we  cannot  part  with,  or  lose  our  hold  of,  the  old 
covenant  chain,  which  united  our  fathers  and  theirs ;  that  we  want 
to  brighten  this  chain,  and  keep  the  way  open  as  our  fathers  did ; 
that  we  want  to  live  with  them  as  brothers ;  labor,  trade,  travel 


.^ 


n 


•  r> 


«:'' 


•ii' 


m 


'I 


I 

1  ,* 


XIV 


APPKiCDIX. 


abroad,  eat  and  drink  in  peace.     We  have  often  asked  tliem  to  love 
us,  and  live  in  such  friendship  with  us  as  their  fathers  did  with  ours. 

"  '  We  told  them  again,  that  we  judged  we  were  exceedingly  in- 
jured,  that  they  might  as  well  kill  us  as  take  away  our  property 
and  the  necessaries  of  life.  We  have  asked  why  they  treat  us 
thus?  What  has  hecome  of  our  repeated  addresses  and  supplica< 
tions  to  them  ?  Who  hath  shut  the  ears  of  the  King  to  the  cries  of 
his  children  in  America?  No  soft  answer — no  pleasant  voice  from 
beyond  tiie  waters  has  yet  sounded  in  our  ears. 

" '  Bkothkus, — Thus  stands  the  matter  betwixt  Old  England  and 
America.  You,  Indians,  know  how  things  are  proportioned  in  a 
family  between  the  father  and  the  son — England  we  regard  as 
the  father,  this  island  may  be  compared  as  the  son. 

•"  The  father  has  a  numerous  family,  both  at  home  and  upon  this 
island ;  he  appoints  a  great  nuinl)er  of  servants  to  assist  him  in  tho 
government  of  his  family  ;  in  process  of  time,  some  of  his  servants 
grow  proud  and  ill-natured — they  were  displeased  to  see  the  boy  so 
alert,  and  walk  on  so  nimbly  with  his  pack ;  they  tell  the  father, 
and  advise  him  to  enlarge  this  child's  pack — they  prevail ;  the  pack 
is  increased,  the  child  takes  it  up  again  ;  as  he  thought  it  might  be 
the  father's  pleasure,  speaks  but  few  words,  those  very  small,  for  he 
was  loth  to  ofl'end  the  father.  Those  proud  and  wicked  servants, 
finding  tluiy  had  prevailed,  laughed  to  see  the  boy  sweat  and  stag- 
ger  under  his  increased  load.  By  and  by  they  apply  to  t!ie  father 
to  double  the  boy's  pack,  because  they  heard  him  complain  ;  and 
without  any  reason  said  they,  he  is  a  cross  child,  correct  him  if  he 
complains  any  more.  The  l>oy  intreats  the  father,  and  addresses 
tho  great  servants  in  a  decent  manner  that  the  pack  might  be  light, 
cned  ;  he  conid  not  go  any  farther ;  humbly  asks  if  the  old  fathers, 
in  any  of  their  records,  had  described  such  a  pack  for  tho  child; 
after  all  tho  tears  and  intreatied  of  the  child,  the  peck  is  redoubled; 
the  child  stands  a  little  while  staggering  umler  tiie  weight,  ready  to 
fall  every  moment ;  however,  he  intreats  the  fatiier  once  more, 
though  so  faint  he  could  only  lisp  out  his  last  hiwnbN;  supplication- 
wails  awhile — no  voice  returns.  'J"he  child  concludes  the  father 
could  not  hear — those  proud  servants  had  intijrcepted  his  stipplica* 
tions  or  stop])ed  the  ears  of  tiio  father.  He  theri^fore  gives  one 
struggle  and  throws  oif  the  pack,  and  says  he  cannot  take  it  up 
again,  such  n  weight  will  crush  him  down  and  kill  him,  and  he 
can  but  die  if  he  refuses, 

"•Upon  this,  those  servants  are  very  wroth,  and  toll  the  father 
many  falso  things  respecting  Iho  child  ;  they  bring  a  great  cudgel 


'I 


APPENDIX. 


XV 


3  m  to  love 
with  ours, 
lingly  in- 

property 
■   treat  us 

supplica< 
le  cries  of 
oice  from 

gland  and 
Dncd  in  a 
regard  as 

upon  this 
lim  in  tho 

servants 

he  boy  so 

»e   father, 

the  pack 

might  be 

nil,  for  he 

servants, 

and  stag. 

le  father 

nil ;  and 

lim  if  he 

id  dresses 

be  light. 

fathers, 
e  child ; 

oubled  ; 
ready  to 
M  more, 
cation — 
V.  father 

iipphca- 

ves  one 
U!  it  up 

and  he 

le  father 
(  cudgel 


to  the  father,  asking  him  to  take  it  in  his  hand  and  strike  the 
child. 

"  '  Tins  may  serve  to  illustrate  the  present  condition  of  the  King's 
American  subjects  or  children. 

" '  Amidst  these  oppressions,  we  now  and  then  heard  a  mollifying 
and  reviving  voice  from  some  of  the  King's  wise  counsellors,  who 
are  our  friends  and  feel  our  distresses  ;  when  they  heard  our  com- 
plaints  and  our  cries,  they  applied  to  the  King  ;  they  also  told  those 
wicked  servants  tiiat  this  child  in  America  was  not  a  cross  boy ;  it 
had  sufficient  reason  for  crying ;  and  if  the  cause  of  its  complaint 
was  neglected,  it  would  soon  assume  the  voice  of  a  man,  plead  for 
justice  like  a  man,  defend  its  rights,  and  support  the  old  covenant 
chain  of  their  fathers. 

"'BuoTHEHs,  LidTEN  ! — Notwithstanding  all  our  intreaties,  we 
have  but  little  hope  the  King  will  send  us  any  more  good  talks  by 
reason  of  his  evil  counsellors  ;  they  have  persuaded  him  to  send  an 
army  of  soldiers,  and  muny  ships  of  war,  to  rob  and  destroy  us. 
They  have  shut  up  many  of  our  harbors,  seized  and  taken  into  pos- 
session many  of  our  vessels :  the  soldiers  have  struck  the  blow, 
killed  some  of  our  people ;  the  blood  now  runs  of  the  American 
children  ;  they  have  also  burned  our  houses  and  towns,  and  taken 
much  of  our  goods.     [A  black  belt.] 

"'BuoTiiEus! — We  are  now  necessitated  to  rise,  and  forced  to 
Hght,  or  give  up  our  civil  constitution,  and  run  away  and  leave  our 
farms  and  houses  behind  us.  This  must  not  be.  Since  the  King'M 
wicked  counsellors  will  not  open  their  ears,  and  consider  our  just 
complaints  and  the  cause  of  our  weeping,  and  have  given  the  blow, 
we  are  determined  to  drive  away  the  King's  soldiers,  and  to  kill 
and  destroy  all  those  wicked  men  wo  find  in  arms  against  the  peace 
of  tho  Twelve  United  Colonies  upon  this  island.  We  think  our 
cause  is  just ;  therefore  we  hope  God  will  be  on  our  side.  We  do  not 
take  up  the  hatchet  and  struggle  for  honor  and  conquest,  but  to  main- 
tain our  civil  constitution  and  religious  privileges,  tho  very  same 
for  which  our  forefathers  left  their  native  land  and  came  to  this 
country.     [A  black  belt.] 

"  '  BuoTHEUs  AND  Fkienus  !— Wodesirc  you  will  hoar  and  roccivo 
what  we  have  now  told  you,  and  that  you  will  open  a  good  ear  and 
listen  to  what  we  are  now  going  to  say.  This  is  a  family  quarrel 
between  us  and  Old  England.  You,  Indians,  are  not  concerned  in 
it.  Wu  don't  wish  you  to  take  up  the  hatchet  against  the  King's 
troops.  We  desire  you  to  remain  at  home,  and  not  join  either  side  ; 
but  keep  the  Imtuhct  buried  deep.     Ia  the  namu  und  behalf  of  all 


\lt 


"I' 


%. 


\  li,> 


>•  il 


XVI 


APPKXDIX. 


our  people,  we  ask  and  desire  you  to  love  peace  and  maintain  it» 
and  love  and  sympathize  with  us  in  our  troubles ;  that  the  path  may 
be  kept  open  with  all  our  people  and  yours,  to  pass  and  re-pass  with- 
out molestation. 

"  '  Brothers  ! — We  live  on  the  same  ground  with  you.     The 
same  island  is  our  common   birthplace.     We  desire  to  sit  down 
under  the  same  tree  of  peace  with  you  ;  let  us  water  its  roots  and 
cherish  its  growth,  till  the  large  leaves  and  nourishing  branches 
shall  extend  to  the  setting  sun,  and  reach  the  skies. 

" '  Brothers,  observe  well  ! — What  is  it  we  have  asked  of  you  ? 
Nothing  but  peace,  notwithstanding  our  present  disturbed  situation  ; 
and  if  application  should  be  made  to  you  by  any  of  the  King's 
unwise  and  wicked  ministers  to  join  on  their  side,  we  only  advise 
you  to  deliberate  with  great  caution,  and  in  your  wisdom  look  for- 
ward to  the  consequences  of  a  compliance.  For  if  the  King's 
troops  take  away  our  property,  and  destroy  us  who  are  of  the  same 
blood  with  themselves,  what  can  you,  who  are  Indian:^,  expect  from 
them  afterwards  ?     [A  white  belt,] 

"•  Brothers  OF  the  Six  Nations! — When  wo  perceived  this 
island  began  to  shake  and  tremble  along  the  Eastern  shore,  and  the 
sun  darkened  by  a  black  cloud  which  arose  from  beyond  the  great 
water,  we  kindled  up  a  great  council-fire  at  Philadelphia ;  and  wo 
sat  around  it  until  it  burnt  clear,  and  so  high  that  it  illuminated 
this  whole  island.  We  renewed  our  hold  upon  the  old  covenant 
chain,  which  united  and  strengthened  our  ancestors,  and  which 
was  near  slipping  out  of  our  hands  before  wo  had  kindled  this 
great  council-fire  at  Philadelphia.  We  have  now  taken  fast  hold, 
nor  will  we  let  it  go  without  a  mighty  struggle,  even  unto  death. 

•♦'Brothers: — We  are  now  Twelve  Colonies,  united  as  one 
man.  We  have  but  one  heart  and  one  hand.  Brothers,  this  is  our 
Union  Belt.  By  this  bolt,  we,  the  Twelve  United  Colonies,  renew 
the  old  covenant  chain  by  which  our  forefathers,  in  their  great  wis- 
dom, thought  proper  to  bind  us  and  you,  our  brothers  of  the  Six 
Nations,  together,  when  they  first  landed  at  this  place  ;  and  if  any 
of  the  links  of  this  great  chain  should  have  received  iiny  rust,  wo 
now  brighten  it,  and  make  it  shine  like  silver.  As  (lod  has  put  it 
into  our  hearts  to  love  the  Six  Nations  and  their  allies,  we  now 
make  the  chain  of  friendship  so  strong,  that  nothing  but  nn  evil 
spirit  can  or  will  attempt  t«)  break  it.  But  we  hope,  through  the  favor 
and  mercy  of  the  (jiood  Spirit,  that  it  will  remain  otrong  luul  bright 
while  the  sun  shines  and  the  water  rims.     [Delivered  the  IJnion  belt.] 

"•  BaoTHKUN: — It  ia  necessary,  in  order  for  the  preservation  of 


APPENDIX. 


XVU 


friendship  between  us  and  our  brothers  of  the  Six  Nations,  and 
their  allies,  that  a  free  and  mutual  intercourse  be  kept  up  lietwixt 
us.  Therefore  the  Twelve  United  Colonies,  by  this  belt,  remove 
every  difficulty  that  may  lie  in  the  great  road  that  runs  through 
the  middle  of  our  country  ;  and  we  will  also  clear  up  and  open  all 
the  small  roads  that  lead  into  the  great  one.  We  will  take  out 
every  thorn,  briar,  and  stone,  so  that  when  any  of  our  brothers  of 
the  Six  Nations,  or  their  allies,  have  an  inclination  to  see  and  talk 
with  any  of  their  brethren  of  the  Twelve  United  Colonies,  they 
may  pass  safely  without  being  scratched  or  bruised.  Brothers,  the 
road  is  now  open  for  our  brethren  of  the  Six  Nations  and  their 
allies,  and  they  may  now  pass  and  repass  as  safely  and  freely  as  the 
Twelve  United  Colonies  themselves  ;  and  we  are  further  determined, 
by  the  assistance  of  God,  to  keep  our  roads  open  and  free  for  tho 
Six  Nations  and  their  allies,  as  long  as  this  earth  remains.  [Path 
belt.] 

•' '  Brothrks  ! — We  have  said  we  wish  you  Indians  may  continue 
in  peace  with  one  another,  and  with  us  the  white  people.  Let  us 
be  cautious  in  our  behavior  toward  each  other  at  this  critical  state 
of  affairs.  This  island  now  trembles,  the  wind  whistles  from  almost 
every  quarter  ;  let  us  fortify  our  minds,  and  shut  our  ears  against 
false  rumors ;  let  us  be  cautious  what  we  receive  for  truth,  unless 
spoken  by  wise  and  good  men.  If  any  thing  disagreeable  should 
ever  fall  out  between  us  the  Twelve  United  Colonics,  and  you  tho 
Six  Nations,  to  wound  our  peace,  let  us  immediately  seek  measures 
for  healing  the  breach.  From  the  present  situation  of  our  aflUirs, 
we  judge  it  wise  and  expedient  to  kindle  up  a  small  council-fire  at 
Albany,  where  we  may  hear  each  other's  voice,  and  diHcloso  our 
minds  more  fully  to  one  another."     [A  small  belt.] 

'• '  Therefore  we  say.  Brothers,  take  care — hold  fast  to  your  cove, 
nant  chain.  You  know  our  disposition  towards  you,  tho  Six  Na- 
tions of  Indians,  and  your  allies.  Let  this  our  good  talk  rnmuin  at 
Onondaga,  your  central  council. house.  Wo  depend  upon  you  to 
send  and  acquaint  your  allies  to  the  northward,  the  seven  tribes  on 
tho  river  St.  Lawrence,  that  you  have  this  talk  of  ours  at  the  great 
counciUHre  of  the  Six  Nations.  And  when  you  niturn,  wo  invito 
your  great  men  to  come  and  converse  farther  wit4»  ua  at  Albany, 
where  we  intend  l(»  re. kindle  the  eouncil-fiie,  wliieh  your  and  our 
buceators  sat  around  in  great  friendship,     lin^hers  andfrirnds  f 

•'•  We  greet  you  all, 

"'FA  UK  WELL.'" 
[The  large  belt  of  intelligence  and  declaration.] 


i      t 

i 

1 

1' 

.1  ■ . 

■  't 


XVlll 


APPENDIX. 


Such  was  the  talk  transmitted  to  the  Six  Nations  by  the  Commis< 
sioners  from  Congress.  The  process  of  communication  to  the  In* 
dians,  through  interpreters,  is  very  slow.  Every  thing  must  be  peri 
formed  with  great  deliberation,  and  the  Indian  language  is  composed 
of  such  lengthened  compounds,  that  the  labor  of  delivering  and 
translating  a  speech  is  exceedingly  tedious.  The  delivery  of  this  talk 
from  Congress  occupied  the  busines  hours  of  two  days.  At  the 
close,  Kanaghquaesa,  one  of  tlie  Chiefs,  replied  : — 

"  Brothers, — We  have  sat  round,  and  smoked  our  pipes  at  this 
our  ancient  place  of  kindling  up  our  council-fires.  We  have  heard 
all  you  have  said,  and  have  heard  nothing  but  what  is  pleasant 
and  good.  As  you  have  communicated  matters  of  great  impor< 
tance  to  us,  we  will  sit  down  to-morrow  and  deliberate  coolly  upon 
them  ;  and  the  day  following  will  give  you  answers  to  every  thing 
you  have  laid  before  us." 

Having  convened  again  on  the  31st  of  August,  Little  Abraham, 
the  Mohawk  Sachem,  spoke,  in  answer  to  the  Commissioners,  as 
follows : — 

"  Brothers,  Great  Men  deputed  bv  the  Twelve  United  Co- 
lonies, ATTEND  ! — We  are  this  day  called  to  meet  you  in  council, 
in  order  to  reply  to  what  you  said  to  us.  We  hope  we  need  not 
recapitulate  the  whole  of  your  discourse.  We  shall  only  'ouch 
upon  each  head.  At  our  last  conference  in  this  house,  we  promis- 
ed to  return  you  our  answer  the  day  but  one  following.  We  did 
not  do  it,  and  we  mean  to  make  you  an  apology.  We  hope  you 
have  taken  no  offence.  We  were  not  prepared  by  that  time,  and 
that  was  our  reason.  Brothers,  you  informed  us  that  there  was  a 
great  council  of  sixty-fivo  members  convened  at  Philadelphia,  and 
that  you  were  appointed  by  them  to  deliver  a  talk  to  the  Six  Na- 
tions. It  seems  you,  our  brothers,  having  a  desire  to  rekindle  u 
council-fire,  took  to  yoiu'  assistance  the  descendants  of  Qucdar, 
and  have  kindled  up  a  council-fire  that  shall  never  be  extinguished. 
To  which  the  Six  Nations  reply  :  This  you  have  done  by  order  of 
the  groat  Council  at  Philadelphia.  We  are  glad  to  hear  the  news. 
It  rejoices  our  hearts,  and  it  gives  exceeding  joy  through  all  tho 
Six  Nations. 

"  BuoTHEHs, — As  you  desired  your  belts  might  not  be  returned, 
hut  he  deposited  at  our  central  (/ouncil  House,  wo  shall  only  make 
use  of  thorn  to  refresh  o\ir  memories,  and  speak  upon  them  as  we  go 
on  with  our  answers.  Brothers,  wo  shall  not  recite  every  particular, 
us  wn  before  mentioned.  You  observed,  when  those  commotions 
first  begun,  u  council  of  sixty-fivo  members  convened  together  at 


i4lt.-!;Mli*i!i 


APPENDIX. 


XIX 


Commis- 
to  the  In- 
st be  peri 
composed 
ring  and 
f  this  talk 
At  the 

cs  at  this 
ve  heard 
pleasant 
t  impor. 
>lly  upon 
ry  thing 

braham, 
)ners,  as 

TED  Co- 
council, 
eed  not 
ly  'ouch 
proinis- 
We  did 
lope  you 
mo,  «  nd 
e  was  a 
^iia,  and 
Six  Na. 
kindle  u 
iuedar, 
[uished. 
rder  of 
!  news, 
all  the 

turned, 
'  nittko 
we  go 
iculitr, 
lotions 
her  at 


t^hiladelphia  ;  and  you  put  us  in  mind  of  what  Cannassatecgo  for- 
merly said  at  Lancaster  respecting  the  necessity  of  a  union  among 
you.  An  old  sachem>  a  brother  of  Cannassateogo,  is  liere  present, 
and  remembers  the  words  of  his  brother.  You  illuatrated  tlie  ncccs- 
sity  and  use  of  a  union  by  one  and  twelve  arrows.  You  said  your 
grandfathers  had  inculcated  this  doctrine  into  their  children.  You 
said,  that  as  the  tree  of  peace  was  formerly  planted  at  this  place, 
you  desired  that  the  Six  Nations  might  come  down,  and  sit  under 
it,  and  water  its  roots,  till  the  branches  sliould  (lourish  and  reach 
to  heaven.  This  the  Six  Nations  say  shall  be  done.  Brothers, 
we  need  only  remind  you  of  a  few  of  the  things  you  said  to  us,  as 
you  have  them  all  written  down.  You  informed  us,  that  by  an  an- 
cient  covenant  with  the  King  of  England,  you  were  to  enjoy  the 
same  privileges  with  the  people  on  the  other  side  of  tiie  great  wa- 
ters,  that  for  a  long  time  you  did  enjoy  the  same  priviirges,  by 
which  means  you  and  your  brethren  over  the  water  both  became  a 
great  people  ;  that  lately,  by  advice  of  evil  counsollurs,  you  arc 
much  oppressed,  and  had  heavier  packs  put  upon  you  than  you  could 
bear;  that  you  have  frequently  applied  to  be  eased  of  your  burthen, 
but  could  obtain  no  redress ;  that  finding  this  the  case,  you  had 
thrown  ofl'  the  packs.  The  Six  Nations  thank  you  for  acquainting 
them  with  your  grievances,  and  the  methods  taken  to  obtain  redress. 
You  likewise  informed  them  of  what  resolutions  you  had  formed  in 
consequence  of  these  matters. 

"  BuoTiiERs,— -After  stating  your  grievances,  and  telling  us  you 
liad  not  been  able  to  obtain  redress,  you  desired  us  to  take  no  part, 
but  bury  the  hatchet.  You  (old  us  it  was  a  family  quarrel  ;  and 
therefore  said,  '  Vou  Indians,  sit  still,  and  miud  nothing  but  peace.' 
Our  great  man,  Col.  .Fohnson,  did  (he  same  thing  at  Oswego  :  he 
desired  us  to  sit  still  likewise.  You  likewise  ilesirctl  us,  that  if  ap- 
plication  should  be  made  to  us  by  any  of  the  King's  officers,  wc 
would  not  join  tiieni.  Now,  therefore  a((end,  and  apply  your  ears 
closely.  We  have  fully  considered  this  matter.  The  resolutions 
of  the  Six  Nations  are  not  to  be  broken  or  uUered.  Wiien  they 
resolve,  (he  ma(ter  is  fixed.  Tiiis,  then,  is  thi;  diitcrmiuation  (»f  tlio 
Six  Nations,  not  to  take  any  part ;  but  as  it  is  a  family  all'air,  to  sit 
still  and  see  you  fight  it  out.  Wo  beg  you  will  receive  this  as  infal- 
lible, it  being  our  f..ll  resolution  ;  for  wo  bear  us  much  alfection 
for  the  King  of  Kngland's  subjects  on  i\w.  olher  side  (ho  water,  as 
we  do  for  you,  born  upon  (his  island.  One  thing  more  we  request, 
which  is,  that  you  represei  this  in  a  (rue  liglit  to  (he  del('ga(es 
from  all  the  Coloni«;S|  and  nut  varv  ;  and  that  you  observe  the  same 

01 


I « 


I'b.     ' 


■-vt,'    ,J. 


.1) ,  i 


X'\  IV 


i'.      ..  > 


XX 


APPENDIX. 


regard  for  truth  when  you  write  to  the  King  about  these  matters 
for  we  have  ears,  and  shall  hear,  if  you  represent  any  thing  in  a 
wrong  point  of  light.     We  likewise  desire  you  would  inform  our 
brothers  at  Boston  of  oar  determination. 

"  Brsthers, — It  is  a  long  time  since  we  came  to  this  resolution. 
It  is  the  result  of  mature  deliberation.  It  was  our  declaration  to 
Col.  Johnson.  We  told  him  we  should  take  no  part  in  the  quarrel, 
and  hoped  neither  side  would  desire  it.  Whoever  applies  first,  we 
shall  think  in  the  wrong.  The  resolutions  of  the  Six  Nations  are 
not  to  be  broken.  Of  the  truth  of  this  you  have  a  late  instance. 
You  know  wliat  the  Shawanese  have  lately  been  engaged  in.  They 
applied  to  us  for  assistance,  but  we  refused  them.*  Our  love  for 
you  has  induced  us  not  to  meddle.  If  we  loved  you  less,  we  should 
have  been  less  resolute. 

"  Brothers, — You  likewise  informed  us,  that  when  you  perceived 
this  island  began  to  tremble,  and  black  clouds  to  arise  beyond  the 
great  water,  you  kindled  up  a  great  fire  at  Philadelphia,  a  fire  which 
shone  bright  and  clear  to  your  utmost  settlements  ;  that  you  sat 
round  that  fire,  deliberating  what  measures  to  pursue  for  tlie  common 
good  ;  that  while  aitting  round  it  you  recollected  an  ancient  cove- 
nant made  between  your  fathers  and  ours  when  they  first  crossed 
the  great  water  and  settled  here,  which  covenant  they  first  likened 
to  a  chain  of  iron.  But  when  they  considered  that  iron  would 
rust,  they  made  a  silver  chain,  which  they  were  always  to  rub  and 
keep  bright,  and  clear  of  spots.  This  they  made  so  strong,  that  an 
evil  spirit  could  not  break  it.  This  friendship. chain  you  have  now 
renewed.  This  covenant  is  to  continue  to  future  generations.  Wo 
are  glad  you  have  thought  proper  to  renew  this  covenant,  and  tho 
whole  Six  Nations  now  thank  you.  This  covenant-belt  you  desire 
us  to  deposit  at  our  central  council-house,  that  future  generations 
may  call  to  mind  the  covenant  now  made  between  us.  You  may 
depend  we  shall  send  and  inform  all  our  neighboring  council-fires 
of  tho  matters  now  transacted.  We  cioce,  with  tho  whole  Six  Na- 
tions repeating  their  thajiks  that  you  have  renewed  tho  covenant 
made  between  their  forefathers  and  yoiM-s. 

"  Brothers,  attknd  ! — As  you  had  renewed  the  ancient  cove- 
nant, you  thought  pi«)per  to  open  the  path,  and  have  a  free  com- 
muuication  with  this  place.  As  the  fire  had  for  some  time  been 
put  out,  the  path  had  got  stopped  up.     You  removed   all  obstruc 

•  In  tho  nflair  of  Col.  GroRnp  nnd  Losnn,  nnil  the  Indiuii  war  tiial  fullowod,  tho 
Mohtwks  wore  not  cngngcd.     Tho  Cuyu;;a8  tuid  Svnccas  wcro. 


APPENDIX. 


XXI 


cove, 
com- 
been 

striic. 


tions  out  of  the  great  roads  and  paths,  all  stones  and  briars  ;  so  that 
if  any  of  us  chose  to  travel  the  road,  we  should  neither  meet  with 
any  obstruction,  or  hurt  ourselves.  Brothers,  we  thank  you  for 
opening  the  road.  You  likewise  informed  us  you  were  determined 
to  drive  away,  destroy,  and  kill  all  who  appeared  in  arms  against 
the  peace  of  the  Twelve  United  Colonies.  Brothers,  attend.  We 
beg  of  vou  to  take  care  of  what  you  do.  You  have  just  now 
made  a  good  path  ;  do  not  so  soon  defile  it  with  blood.  There  are 
many  round  us.  Caghnawagas,  who  are  friends  to  the  king.  Our 
path  of  peace  reaches  quite  there.  We  beg  all  that  distance  may 
not  be  defiled  with  blood.  As  for  your  quarrels  to  the  Eastward, 
along  the  sea-coasts,  do  as  you  please.  But  it  would  hurt  us  to  see 
those  brought  up  in  our  own  bosoms  ill-used.  In  particular,  we 
would  mention  the  son  of  Sir  William  Johnson.  He  is  born  among 
us,  and  is  of  Dutch  extraction  by  his  mother.  He  minds  his  own 
affairs,  and  does  not  intermeddle  in  pubHc  disputes.  Wo  would 
likewise  mention  our  father,  the  minister,  who  resides  among  the 
Mohawks,  and  was  sent  them  by  the  King.  Ho  does  not  meddle  in 
civil  affairs,  but  instructs  tliem  in  the  way  to  heaven.  He  abso* 
lutely  refuses  to  attend  to  any  political  matters,  and  says  they  do 
not  belong  to  him.  Tiiey  beg  he  may  continue  in  peace  among 
them.  The  Mohawks  are  frequently  alarmed  with  reports  that 
their  minister  is  to  be  torn  away  from  them.  It  would  occasion 
great  disturbance  was  he  to  be  taken  away.  The  King  sent  him 
to  them,  and  they  would  look  upon  it  as  taking  away  one  of  their 
own  body.  Therefore  they  again  request  that  he  may  continue  to 
live  in  peace  among  them.* 

"  Brothers, — After  having  informed  us  of  the  situation  of  affairs, 
and  having  finished  your  business,  you  advised  us  to  shut  our  ears 
against  false  reports,  and  that  we  should  not  attend  to  flying 
stories,  but  to  what  wise  and  good  men  should  say  ;  fur  which  rea- 
son you  had  kindled  up  a  council-fire  at  this  place,  that  we  might 
always  converse  together,  and  know  the  truth  of  things.  Your  bro. 
thers  of  the  Six  Nations  say, '  Let  it  t/o  so  ;  it  shall  be  as  you  desire.' 
They  thank  you  for  this  advice,  and  desire  you  would  use  the  same 
precautions  ;  that  you  would  shut  your  ears  to  flying  stories,  but 
keep  your  eye  upon  the  chief  council,  such  as  you  see  now  con- 
vened. The  Six  Nations  desire  you  would  always  inform  them 
fully  of  what  respects  them.     We  have,  for  this  purpose,  opened  our 


•  Tiiia  Missionary  was  tho  Rev.  Mr.  Stewart,  who  afterward  removed  to  Upper 
Canada. 


r 


1 

■J  '  ■' 

> 

1 

t' 

\. 

jMll'. 

\v 

1'' 

>  f  1 
15 

1 
1 

I  I 


! 


m 


I 


xxii 


APPENDIX. 


ears  and  purified  our  minds,  that  we  may  always  hear  and  receive 
what  you  have  to  say  with  good  and  clean  minds ;  and  whenever 
we  receive  any  important  intelHgence,  we  shall  always  bring  it  to 
this  council-fire. 

"  Brothers  : — You  delivered  us  this  pipe  ;  on  one  side  the  tree  of 
peace,  on  the  other  a  council-fire  ;  we  Indians  sitting  on  one  side 
of  the  fire,  and  the  representatives  of  the  twelve  United  Colonies 
upon  the  other.  You  have  desired  that  this  pipe  may  be  left  at 
our  central  council-house,  and  that  the  tree  of  peace  may  be  planted, 
and  that  the  branches  may  be  so  high  as  to  be  visible  to  all  our 
allies.  Brothers,  we  thank  you,  and  shall  take  care  to  deposit  this 
where  you  desire,  and  when  we  meet  to  deliberate  upon  business, 
shall  always  use  this  as  our  council-pipe. 

"  Brothers,  attend  ! — In  the  course  of  your  speech  you  ob- 
served, we  of  the  Six  Nations  were  a  wise  people,  and  saw  a  great 
Vay  before  us :  and  you  asked  us,  if  you  upon  this  island  were  con- 
quered, what  would  become  of  the  Indians  ?  You  say  you  are  un- 
certain of  holding  your  possessions,  and  that  you  do  not  know  who 
may  enjoy  the  product  of  your  labor.  Now,  therefore.  Brothers, 
attend  ;  you  particularly,  our  Brothers  of  Albany  ;  we  address  our- 
selves particularly  to  you.  Our  Brothers  of  Albany  have  taken  two 
pieces  of  land  from  us  without  any  reward,  not  so  much  as  a  single 
pipe.  We  therefore  desire  you  will  restore  them,  and  put  us  into 
peaceable  possession  again.  If  you  refuse  to  do  this,  we  shall  look 
upon  the  prospect  as  bad  ;  for  if  you  conquer,  you  will  tcke  us  by 
the  arm,  and  pull  us  all  off.  Now,  therefore,  as  the  twelve  United 
Colonies  have  renewed  tiiis  covenant  of  peace,  we  beg  that  there 
may  be  no  obstruction  upon  your  part,  but  that  you  would  restore 
our  lands  to  us ;  for  which,  as  we  said  before,  you  never  paid  us 
even  a  single  pipe. 

"  Brothers  : — You  have  now  finished  your  business,  and  we 
have  made  short  replies.  You  have  kindled  up  a  council-fire  of 
peace,  and  iiuvc  planted  a  tree  of  peace,  according  to  ancient  cus. 
tom.  We  find  that  you  have  omitted  one  thing,  which  is  this  : — Ac- 
cording to  our  ancient  custom,  whenever  a  council-fire  was  kindled 
up,  and  a  tree  of  peace  planted,  there  was  some  person  appointed  to 
watch  it.  Now,  as  there  is  no  person  appointed  to  watch  this  tree, 
we  of  tlie  Six  Nations  take  it  upon  us  to  appoint  one.  Let  it  be 
the  descendant  of  our  ancient  friend,  Qucdar.  He  has  to  consider 
whetlicr  he  will  take  the  charge  of  it,  and  communicate  to  us  what- 
ever may  respect  it.  lie  that  watches  this  council-fire  is  to  bo 
provided  with  a  wing,  that  he  may  brush  off  all  insects  that  come 


?f 'I 


!| 


i     \ 


APPENDIX. 


XXIU 


near  it,  and  keep  it  clear.     That  is  the  custom  at  our  central  coun- 
ciU house.      We  have  one  appointed  for  that  purpose. 

♦'  Brothers  : — As  you  have  this  day  renewed  the  ancient  cove- 
nant of  friendship,  and  have  again  brightened  the  ancient  chain, 
renew  likewise  another  ancient  custom  respecting  the  regulati  of 
trade.  Let  us  have  a  trade  at  this  place,  and  likewise  at  Schenec- 
tady, as  it  was  in  former  times  when  we  had  hold  of  the  old  covenant. 
For  then.  Brothers,  if  our  people  came  down  with  only  a  few 
musquash  skins,  we  went  homo  with  glad  hearts.  Brothers,  let  it 
be  so  again.  Let  the  twelve  United  Colonies  take  this  into  consi- 
deration."        [A  belt  often  rows  of  wampum. '\ 

Abraham,  the  Mohawk,  having  concluded,  Tiahogwando,  an  Onei- 
da  sachem,  succeeded  him  as  follows  : — 

"  Brothers  : — This  is  all  the  Six  Nations  have  to  say  at  present. 
They  would  just  mention  one  thing  more  before  they  break  up.  The 
Six  Nations  look  upon  this  as  a  very  good  time  to  speak  their  minds, 
as  here  are  the  representatives  of  the  twelve  United  Colonies.  The 
dispute  between  the  people  of  New-England  and  Penn  seems  to  us  to 
become  a  serious  affair,  and  therefore  the  Six  Nations  take  upon 
them  to  speak  their  minds  freely,  as  they  address  the  inhabitants  ot 
the  whole  continent.*  Many  years  ago,  at  a  council  held  in  Penn- 
sylvania, when  Cannassatecgo,  that  has  been  before  mentioned,  was 
present,  Penn  desired  the  Six  Nations  would  sell  him  that  piece  ot 
land  known  by  the  name  of  Scanandan.mi,  or  Susquebannah.  The 
Indians  of  the  Six  Nations  refused  to  sell  it,  saying,  the  great  God 
would  not  permit  tliem.  Therefore  they  made  him  a  present  ot 
that  land,  known  by  the  name  of  Scanandanani.  Penn  received  it, 
and  made  them  valuable  presents.  After  this.  Colonel  Lydius,  a 
gentleman  employed  by  the  people  of  Boston,  treated  with  some  of 
the  Indians  to  got  that  land  from  them.  But  he  never  kindled  up  a 
council-fire  upon  the  occasion.  He  spoke  to  them  whenever  ho 
met  them ;  never  with  more  than  ten.  From  these  he  pretended  to 
make  a  purchase  of  that  tract.  Gov.  Penn,  also,  at  the  great  treaty 
at  Fort  Stanwix,  in  the  year  1768,  desired  that  the  land  might  be 
his,  and  distributed  among  the  Six  Nations,  Shawanesc  and  Caugh. 
nawagas,  ten  thousand  dollars,  for  which  they  gave  him  a  writing. 
This  is  an  affair  with  which  all  the  Six  Nations  are  acquainted,  and 
any  one  would  lie  who  said  they  knew  nothing  about  it.  We  have 
taken  an  opportunity  to  speak  of  this  matter  now,  as  the  mind  of 
the  whole  continent  is  now  here."        *         >ii         *         *         « 

♦  Referring  to  the  long  and  bitter  controversy  between  Connecticut  and  Penn- 
sylvania respecting  the  territory  of  Wyoming,  of  which  more  licrcafler. 


11' 


'I 


XXIV 


APPENDIX. 


I 


!l  ,:. 


I.»;l  i' 


m  , 


r'l.!! 


,ri^' 


At  this  point  the  proceerlings  were  adjourned  over  to  the  next 
day,  being  the  1st  of  September,  when  the  Commissioners  made  the 
following  reply : — 

"  Bbotiieks  of  the  Six  Natioxs,  attfxd  ! — We  yesterday 
heard  with  pleasure  your  answgr  to  the  twelve  United  Colonies,  and 
we  return  thanks  to  the  great  Governor  of  the  universe  that  he  has 
inclined  your  hearts  to  approve  and  accept  the  brotherly  love  offered 
to  you  by  the  twelve  Utiitcd  Colonies.  It  makes  us  happy  to  hear 
so  wise  and  brave  a  people  as  our  brothers  of  the  Six  Nations  are, 
publicly  declare  their  unalterable  resolution  to  maintain  and  support 
peace  and  friendship  with  the  twelve  United  Colonies.  This,  Bro- 
thers,  you  have  said,  a?id  we  sincerely  believe  you.  Brothers,  we 
requested  of  you  Indians  of  the  Six  Nations  not  to  interfere  in  our 
quarrels.  We  are  not  in  the  least  doubtful  of  success,  as  our 
cause  is  just.  We  will  live  or  die  like  men.  Wo  can  raise  an 
army  of  three  hundred  thousand  fighting  men,  who  are  brave,  and 
are  determined  not  to  part  with  their  civil  and  religious  privileges. 
Therefore  we  now  repeat  to  you,  Brothers  of  the  Six  Nations,  take 
great  care  of  the  strong  friendship  you  have  now  made  with  the 
twelve  United  Colonies.  Let  that  be  your  care,  and  that  only. 
Peace  is  what  we  wish  to  establish. 

"  Brotiikrs  of  thf.  Six  Nations  : — You  yesterday  told  us.  that 
as  the  roads  in  your  country  were  opened  for  you  and  your  brothers 
of  the  twelve  United  Colonies  to  pass  and  repass,  you  desired  at  the 
same  time  that  we  would  not  stain  the  road  with  blood.  Brothers, 
be  assured  we  have  no  intention  at  present  to  spill  blood  in  your 
country,  and  we  hope  it  never  may  happen  ;  and  it  never  can,  pro- 
vided  those  wicked  men,  who  are  come  so  far  frcr  home  in  order  to 
disturb  the  peace  of  the  twelve  United  Colonies,  do  not  appear  in 
your  country.  But  as  we  are  determined  to  be  free  or  die,  we  must 
pursue  them  until  we  drive  them  from  off  this  island,  or  until  they 
confirm  our  ancient  privileges.  Therefore,  Brothers,  rest  assured, 
whatever  may  happen  between  us  and  our  enemies,  we  never  will 
injure  or  disturb  the  peace  of  the  Six  Nations,  but  preserve  invaria.. 
ble  the  friendship  that  is  now  established,  even  unto  death. 

"  Brothers  : — You  also  desired  yesterday  that  some  of  your 
friends  of  our  blood  should  remain  in  peace,  and  particularly  the 
missionary  at  Fort  Hunter,  who.  did  not  concern  himself  with  the 
affairs  of  this  worfd,  but  was  earnestly  engaged  in  conducting  you 
to  happiness,  and  instructing  you  in  the  reverence  duo  to  the  great 
God  who  governs  the  universe.  Brothers,  such  a  man  we  love,  and 
we  are  desirous  of  his  ren)aining  quiet  and  happy  with  you.     We 


ArrENDix. 


are  also  desirous  that  all  the  other  missionaries,  that  h;ivp  '"en  «.n. 
gaged  in  the  same  good  cause,  may  safely  continue  amont:  >ii,  and 
instruct  you  in  the  Gospel,  which  will  be  the  means  of  youi  happi- 
ness in  this  world  and  the  one  to  come. 

"  Brothers  : — As  we  always  looked  upon  you,  Brothers  of  the 
Six  Nations,  to  be  a  wise  and  capable  people  in  conducting  business 
of  every  kind,  we  were  a  little  surprised  to  hear  you  say  that  no  one 
was  appointed  by  the  twelve  United  Colonies  to  attend  and  watch 
the  fire  that  they  have  kindled  up  at  tiiis  place ;  when  we  have  re- 
peatedly told  you  that  they  had  appointed  five  persons,  whose  busi- 
ness  it  was  to  attend  and  preserve  it  bright  and  clear,  and  that  two 
of  those  five  live  in  this  town,  who  would  take  particular  care,  and 
who  had  full  authority  from  the  t\  olve  United  Colonies,  to  keep  the 
flame  bright  and  clear.  Brothers,  for  fear  you  siiould  not  have  un- 
derstood us  fully,  we  again  acquaint  you  that  the  twelve  United 
Colonies  have  authorized  General  Schuyler  and  Mr.  Duuw,  botli  of 
this  town,  to  keep  the  fire  burning,  that  it  may  illuminate  the  whole 
country  of  the  Six  Nations,  who  may  always  see  the  way  down  to 
it,  and  sit  in  peace  around  it. 

"  'Brothers  : — You  yesterday  desired  that  the  trade  may  bo 
opened  at  this  place  and  at  Schenectady.  We  also  wish  it,  and  it 
will  be  done ;  so  that  you  may  trade  as  you  formerly  did,  and  bo 
able  to  return  home  with  your  goods  to  your  entire  satisfaction. 

"  Brothers  : — You  yesterday  mentioned  some  matters  concern- 
ing land  claimed  by  the  people  of  Albaiiy,  and  also  the  land  in  dis- 
pute between  Connecticut  and  Gov.  Penn.  We  now  inform  you 
that  we  are  not  authorized  to  transact  any  business  of  tliat  kind  at 
j)rescnt,  but  will  represent  the  matter  at  the  Grand  Congress  at 
Philadelphia. 

"  Brothers  : — We  have  now  finished,  and  let  you  know  the 
present  that  we  have  from  the  twelve  United  Colonies  is  preparing 
for  you,  and  when  it  is  ready  we  will  acquaint  you.  Wagons  shall 
be  provided  for  you  whenever  you  are  ready  to  set  ofi"  for  Schc- 
nectady." 

Thus  ended  the  business  of  the  Commissioners  with  the  Indians, 
more  amicably,  to  all  appearance,  than  could  reasonably  have  been 
anticipated,  when  all  the  circumstances  preceding  and  attending  tho 
negotiations  are  taken  into  consideration.  There  was,  however, 
the  "unfinished  business"  between  the  Indians  and  the  municipality 
of  Albany  yet  to  be  completed.  For  this  purpose  a  council  was 
arranged  for  the  day  following,  September  2d,  and  the  Commission- 
ers, on  the  part  of  the  United  Colonies,  wore  again  invited  to  attend. 


»     I.-, 


*i 


XXVI 


APPENDIX. 


i 


''  \\\  ■ 


til ' 


RM'   ' 


rl 


The  council  was  held  in  the  Presbyterian  meeting-house.  The  pre* 
liminaries  of  form  having  been  adjusted,  the  Committee  of  the 
Common  Council  and  citizens  of  Albany,  delivered  the  following 
reply  to  the  speech  of  the  Oneida  sachem,  on  the  25th  of  August : — ^ 

"  Brothers  of  the  Six  Nations  : — We  suppose  it  will  not  be 
insisted  upon  to  repeat  the  whole  of  your  speech,  as  we  conceive  it 
unnecessary,  and  therefore  shall  only  take  notice  of  the  material 
parts. 

"  Brothers  : — You  said  that  you  was  glad  to  see  us  at  this  place 
on  the  25th  August,  in  consequence  of  our  invitation  ;  and  that  you 
was  glad  to  see  that  some  sparks  of  the  old  council-fire  yet  remain- 
ed, and  that  you  rejoiced,  even  to  excess,  to  find  it  so. 

"  Brothers  : — We  thank  you  for  your  kind  congratulations  and 
salutations  at  meeting  us  here,  and  rejoice  in  the  opportunity  you 
have  given  us  at  this  time,  of  meeting  one  another  in  friendship  and 
peace,  to  talk  of  old  times  and  renew  our  ancient  treaty. 

"  Brothers  : — We  are  happy  to  find  that  you  so  readily  accepted 
our  request  to  come  and  see  us,  and  that  you  have  had  so  much  pa 
tience,  and  behaved  so  orderly  during  your  short  stay  among  us. 

"  Brothers  : — At  the  conference  of  our  deputies  with  you  at  the 
German  Flatts,  they  showed  you  some  old  belts  of  wampum,  which 
you  expressed  a  desire  to  see.  Here  are  those  belts,  and  we  hope 
even  Time  will  not  wear  them  out.  This  is  the  Belt  given  by  the 
Oneida  Nation,  and  is  the  old  covenant  between  the  whole  Oneida 
Nation  and  Gorah  Quedar.  This  is  the  belt  that  was  given  by  the 
Indian  Kayinguaraghtoh  in  behalf  of  the  Six  Nations. 

"  Brothers  attend  : — In  your  speech,  you  farther  observed  that 
you  had  long  since  taken  a  resolution  to  take  no  active  part  in  the 
present  contest  for  liberty.  We  do  not  offer  to  censure  you  for 
your  conduct ;  but  admire  your  wisdom,  praise  your  pacific  disposi- 
tion, and  hope  you  will  have  fortitude  to  maintain  and  persevere  in 
it.     \A  belt.}     , 

"  Brothers  : — You  further  said  that  the  road  to  the  westward, 
you  heard  by  the  bird,  was  to  be  stopped  up  ;  this  matter  is  beyond 
our  limits.  The  commissioners  of  the  twelve  United  Colonies  hav- 
ing spoken  to  you  at  large  about  the  roads,  that  they  shall  be  left 
open,  we  entirely  agree  with  them  in  this  ;  and  therefore  shall  add 
nothing  on  this  point,  and  return  the  belt. 

"  Brothers  : — You  said  further,  and  delivered  us  this  belt ;  that 
you  was  anxious  about  and  concerned  for  your  minister,  Mr.  Kirk- 
land  ;  and  asked  our  advice  about  his  remaining  among  you,  who 
we  do  not  see  you  should  be  de|^''ived  of  without  your  consent,  any 


Ui     I 


,.^.,utf.uiiy''mu>mKim»kn' 


APPENDIX. 


XXVll 


hiore  than  the  Mohawk  tribe  should  be  deprived  of  their  missionary. 
We  highly  approve  of  your  concern  for  the  ministers  of  the  Gospel, 
and  your  attachment  for  the  pure  precepts  and  doctrine  of  Christia- 
nity. But  if  your  minister  is  removed,  we  should  fear  the  conse- 
quence. It  would  certainly  give  occasion  of  jealousy  to  your 
Brethfen,  the  white  people,  that  you  Indians  were  not  well  disposed. 
Therefore  it  is  our  ardent  wi'^h  that  they  may  all  remain  among 
you,  as  your  teachers  and  instructors  in  virtue,  piety,  and  true  re- 
ligion ;  and  we  hope  you  may  benefit  and  profit  by  their  instruc- 
tion.    [A  belt.] 

"Brothers  : — Before  any  commissioners  were  appointed  by  the 
twelve  United  Colonies— from  the  disagreeable  condition  of  our 
country,  and  the  ancient  friendship  and  alliance  subsisting  between 
us,  commenced  in  the  days  of  your  ancestors  and  our  forefathers, 
we  took  upon  us,  as  the  representatives  of  the  people  of  the  city  and 
coimty  of  Albany,  to  give  you  an  invitation  to  pay  us  a  friendly 
visit,  that  we  might  have  an  opportunity  of  seeing  you  here,  at  the 
place  where  the  first  fire  was  kindled,  that  we  might  rake  up  the 
old  ashes,  and  not  sutfer  it  to  be  extinguished,  but  renew  the  old  cove- 
nant chain,  and  make  it  shine  with  brighter  lustre. 

"Brothers  : — We  are  happy  to  find  from  your  speccli,  that  you 
still  retain  that  affection  for  us  which  a  well-founded  friendsliip 
will  naturally  produce,  and  which  we  hope,  from  our  conduct  toward 
you,  is  not  unmerited  ;  and  we  rejoice  to  find  that  you  feel  for  our 
distresses,  and  lament  the  unnatural  quarrel  of  brethren,  which  you 
express  so  warmly  by  a  desire  of  an  amicable  settlement. 

"  Brothers  : — Time  will  not  permit  us,  at  present,  to  mention 
to  you,  how,  and  on  what  occasion,  the  first  covenant  was  made  be- 
tween you  and  our  forefathers.  I'hcy  had  never  deserted  you, 
but  kept  their  covenants  and  agreements  with  you,  nor  do  wo  mean 
to  act  otherwise  on  our  part. 

"  Brothers  : — This  covenant,  afterwards  improved  upon,  was 
confirmed  between  you  and  us  in  the  year  1G65,  one  year  after  this 
covmtry  went  over  to  the  crown  of  England.  Since  this,  you  have 
from  time  to  time  admitted  into  your  chain,  the  Tuscaroras,  and 
most,  if  not  all,  the  twelve  United  Colonies. 

"  Brothers  : — There  are  five  gentlemen  commissioners,  appointed 
by  the  twelve  United  Colonies,  at  the  grand  council  in  Philadelphia  ; 
and  the  management  of  public  affairs  in  the  Indian  department  now 
belongs  to  them.  These  gentlemen  have  informed  you  of  the  nature 
of  the  dispute  between  Great  Britain  and  this  country  ;  and  testi- 
fied their  desire  of  keeping  up  the  council  fire  between  us. 

02 


!       I 


if-  'I, 


f 

r 

■i 
*; 


xxvin 


ArPEXDIX* 


n 


]t\  -'' 


...   fl 


"Brothers: — ^Ve  know  it  is  customary,  at  the  rcnewd  of  any 
covenants  between  us,  that  a  present  should  follow  ;  we  now  make 
it  known  to  you,  that  the  goods  you  will  receive  of  the  commission- 
ers of  the  twelve  United  Colonies  are  partly  ours ;  we  pay  our  pro- 
portionable part  toward  them,  so  that  what  you  receive  of  them  is 
from  us  also.     We  are  the  same.     There  is  no  distinction. 

"  Brothers  : — If  our  memory  do  not  fail  us,  we  think  that  when 
wc  invited  two  or  three  of  each  of  our  brethren  of  the  Six  Nations 
to  come  down  here,  we  also  desired  that  you  would  acquaint  us  of 
what  had  passed  in  the  congress  held  at  Oswego  (which  as  yet  wc 
know  nothing  of.)  Vou  say,  indeed,  you  are  glad  we  are  peaceably 
inclined  as  well  as  Col.  Johnson  ;  but  you  have  told  us  nothing  else 
of  what  had  patised  there,  which  we  had  expected,  and  do  wish  that 
our  brothers  conceal  nothing  from  us,  especially  as  you  called  Clod 
to  witness  for  the  truth  of  what  you  said. 

"Brothiors  of  the  Six  Natio>s,  and  you,  the  3IonAWKs  in 
TARTicuLAR : — Wc  apprehend  the  bird  Tsklelele  has  been  busy 
again.  He  seems  to  be  a  mischievous  bird,  and  ought  not  to  be 
nourished  or  entertained.  In  your  answer  to  the  conunissioners 
you  addressed  yourselves  to  the  inhabitants  of  Albany,  complaining 
that  they  had  taken  from  you  two  pcices  of  land  without  giving  you 
the  value  of  a  pipe  of  tobacco  iur  them  ;  and  that  you  desire.'  they 
would  restore  you  to  the  pciiceahle  possession  of  tlunn.  and  that  the 
commissioners  would  look  ilito  this  matter  and  atlt)rd  you  relief. 
The  land  you  speak  of  we  suppose  to  be  Ticonderoga. 

•'Bhotmf.rs: — This  is  a  matter  foreign  to  the  business  wc  met 
upon,  (and  wo  are  not  au(horis<"'  nor  cpialilied  to  "Miter  upon  tho 
subjc^ct,  it  is  a  imsiness  that  belongs  to  tlie  corporation  of  Albany) 
yet  as  we  may  be  considered  the  representatives  of  the  people  at 
large,  our  entire  silence  may  be  construed  into  guilt  of  tho  heavy 
charge  fixed  \ipon  us.  For  your  satisfaction  as  well  as  of  the  au- 
dience, we  will  endeavor  to  show  i»y  a  few  reiimrks  <hat  the  aecu- 
8ation  is  groundless.  The  lands  alluded  to  are  granted  by  the  char, 
tcr  of  Albany.  We  never  heard  that  any  of  your  nation  have  been 
ilispossesscd  or  driven  olf  those  lands;  but  you  hitherto  have  and 
still  enjoy  those  lands  without  the  least  interruption. 

"BuoTHKHs: — As  we  observed  before,  the  matter  eainiot  pro. 
perly  come  before  us,  but  belongs  to  another  body  ;  and  therefore 
tho  application  to  us  Is  improper.  However,  give  us  leave  to  say, 
that,  instead  of  complaining,  we  (hink  the  Mohawks,  if  they  eon. 
Hidered  their  own  interest  and  that  of  their  posterity,  and  would  bo 
candid,  must  acknowledge  the  truth  of  the  fact,  and  rejoice  at  iWm 


.iS*Msuai*iti^ 


APPENDIX. 


XX  ra 


day,  that  they  have  had  such  faithful  guardians  and  trivstecs,  for  if 
it  had  not  been  so,  who  wouUl  have  enjoyed  those  lands  now  ?  Tliere 
have  been  comphiints  concerning  tliis  matter  before,  and  inquiries 
into  it  before  proper  tribunals  ;  and  for  your  information,  and  that 
of  the  curious,  we  refer  to  the  proceedings  of  the  House  of  Assembly 
of  this  Colony,  and  also  to  the  minutes  taken  on  a  conference  be- 
tween the  corporation  of  this  city  and  yourselves,  at  which  Sir 
William  Johnson  was  present,  and  therefore  return  you  the  belt. 

After  consultation,  the  Indians  returned  the  following  answer  by 
Abraham,  chief  of  the  Mohawks  : — 

"Brothers  ok  Aliianv  : — We  return  you  thanks  for  your 
speech,  and  that  you  have  informed  us  tliat  the  twelve  United  Co- 
Ionics  by  their  commissioners,  have  opened  all  the  roads ;  and  we 
now  take  it  for  granted  that  the  communications  at  Fort  Stanwix  are 
not  to  be  sluit  up,  and  that  the  New  Kngland  jieople  never  will  do 
it.  This,  Hrethren,  has  been  tlu;  occasion  of  some  anxiety  in  tho 
minds  of  tho  Six  Naiiins. 

"  BnoTiiERs  oi'  THE  Six  N.\TioNs,  ATTEND;  You  fl/.vo  thc  fcoyh 
of  Alhanij,  and  yon  the  ivclve  Vnikd  Colonies  hrj  your  commission, 
ers  : — Last  spring  Col.  Johnson  informed  us  that  the  New  I'^ng- 
land  people  were  near  him  to  take  him  prisoner.  Upon  which  we, 
like  people  intoxicated,  took  up  our  guns  and  ran  to  assist  him,  as 
ho  was  our  superintendant.  Hut,  Brethren,  as  it  happened  in  tho 
manner  before  mentioned,  we  hope  you  will  look  upon  it  in  that 
light.  We,  the  Six  Nations,  have  now  made  and  renewcnl  our  an- 
cient  covenants.  The  proceedings  just  now  mentioned  have 
brought  me  down.  I  have  made  a  pro|)er  acknowledgment  to  the 
Six  Nations,  and  now  do  the  same  to  you,  and  I  hope  you  will  raise 
ine  up  again.  The  news  1  was  just  speiiking  of,  camo  not  from  a 
bird,  but  from  your  own  people. 

"  Brothers  OK  Aluanv,  FARTHER  attend: — I  shall  only  make 
a  short  reply  to  your  speech  relating  to  the  lands.  Many  iigreeablo 
things  are  therein.  You  farther  say,  that  you  never  heard  that  any 
of  us  were  driven  from  those  liuuls.  'i'here  is  one  thing  wlii<'.h  is  not 
so  agreeable.  It  is  tho  Tskleleli.  You,  Brothers,  know  how  that 
matter  is,  and  in  case  I  was  to  answer  that  part  of  your  spocch,  it 
might  perhaps  draw  us  into  an  argunu'iil ; — and  as  you  are  not,  as 
yoti  say,  the  proper  body  to  which  we  ought  to  have  applied,  and  as 
you  have  referred  us  to  former  proceedings,  wo  shall  chise. 

Brothers  ok  Ai.hanv  : — Wo  the  Six  Nations  now  tell  you,  that 
it  in  at  your  pleasure  to  cull  on  us,  and  wo  will  infurm  yuu  uf  what 
passed  in  the  congress  at  Oswego. 


i 
J 


3CXX 


ArrENDix. 


■^    ii 


iiii 


1,1 


11   ;  1     , 

;  B   H  ^'    ' 

m 

M 

it  '\ 

n-  y  1 

N  '  ■■  'i 

Ll,' 

Taking  the  hint  that  the  Indians  would  say  nothing  except  in 
due  form,  the  chairman  of  the  committee  immediately  said  : — 

"Bkotuers  of  tiik  Six  Nations: — We  arc  now  ready  to  hear 
it,  and  should  be  glad  you  would  inform  us." 

The  Mohawk  chief  then  proceeded  : — 

"  Brothers  of  Albany  : — You  sent  for  us  to  inform  you  of 
what  passed  at  Oswego ; — but  you  have  not,  since  we  have  been 
down,  desired  it.  We  have  been  always  ready  ;  and  as  you  have 
now  asked  us,  we  will  now  tell  you,  and  think  it  our  duty,  as  we 
look  upon  it  that  God  will  punish  us  should  we  conceal  any  thing 
from  you. 

"  Brothkrs  : — The  transactions  of  that  treaty  were  very  public. 
The  Shawanese  were  there,  and  some  from  Detroit.  Mr.  Jonnson 
told  us,  that  the  fire  kindled  there  was  a  fire  of  peace,  that  all  the 
white  people  were  the  king's  subj»!ct8,  and  that  it  seemed  they  were 
intoxicated.  Mr.  Johnson  also  told  us,  that  the  white  people  were 
all  got  drunk,  and  that  God's  judgment  hung  over  them,  but  did  not 
know  on  which  side  it  would  full.  Mr.  Johnson  farther  told  us, 
that  the  council-fire  was  kindled  on  account  of  the  present  dispute, 
and  desired  us  not  to  interfere,  as  they  were  Brothers,  and  begged  us 
to  sit  still  and  maintain  peace.  This  is  what  Colonel  Johnson  told 
us  at  that  council-fire.  He  also  said  he  had  his  eye  on  Mr. 
Kirkland  ;  that  he  was  gone  to  Philadelphia  and  along  the  sea. 
coast ;  that  he  was  become  a  great  soldier  and  a  loader.  Is  this 
your  minister?  says  he.  Do  you  think  your  minister  minds  your 
souls?  No,  by  the  time  he  comes  to  Pbiladelphiu,  he  will  be  a 
great  warrior,  and  when  he  returns  ho  will  be  the  chief  of  all  the 
Five  Nations. 

"BuoTiiKRs: — There  were  present  five  people  of  Detroit,  five 
from  Caughnawaga,  and  two  of  the  Shawanese.  Col.  Johnson 
told  them,  that  by  the  time  ho  returned  from  Canada,  tiiey  should 
have  all  their  men  there,  and  ho  would  then  kindli;  a  council-fire  ; 
and  he  would  n\so  desire  them  not  to  take  any  part  in  this  dispute, 
as  it  was  a  quarrel  between  brothers.  Mr.  Johnson  also  told  them 
(hat  this  coimcil-firo  was  kindled  upon  peace,  and  that  it  seemed, 
by  reason  of  the  white  people's  intoxication,  that  (lod's  jiidgmcnt 
hung  over  them.  He  also  told  us  that  he  was  going  to  the  (io> 
vcrnor  of  Canada,  who  was  of  a  ciilferent  opinion  from  liiiii,  but 
would  talk  with  him ;  and  he  farther  said  that  he  would  tell  the 
Caughnawaga  Wxlians  the  same  he  told  us,  and  fur  that  purpo.se  dc- 
nired  that  two  of  each  nation  might  go  along,  an«l  hear  it.  He 
likewise  desired  us  to  consider  which  way  wo  would  have  our  trade, 


^«i»*t:«f(.Mi'iH^«i'Mi( 


;4ti4!.irllii;l' 


ArrENDix. 


x\xi 


whether  up  this  river,  or  from  Canada.  He  at  the  same  time  as- 
sured  us,  that  we  shouUl  iii  suflbr  for  want  of  goodb,  as  we  were 
not  concerned,  nor  had  any  liand  in  the  present  dispute.  He  also 
mentioned  somctliing  ahout  the  council-fires.  He  said  there  are 
two  fires  which  you  shall  keep  your  eyes  upon,  and  if  they  call  you 
down  to  Albany,  do  not  you  go,  for  they  will  deceive  you,  and  loll  you 
a  great  many  fine  stories.  We  arc  very  glad  that  your  language 
and  Col.  Johnson's  so  well  agrees." 

Thus  ended  this  grand  council  with  the  Six  Nations,  and  the 
last  council  ever  held  at  Albany,  with  the  great  aboriginal  confe- 
deracy  which  has  been  denominated  the  Roman  Kcpublic  of  the 
Indian  world. 


it»  five 

lohnson 

Nhould 

|il-fire  ; 

lisputo, 

them 

•emed, 

llgment 

|ho  (lO- 

!u,  hut 

lell  tho 

i»,w  de- 

.      iin 

trade, 


No.  nr. 

[Rkfekknck  from  P.\r,F,  231.] 

15 V  Bakuy  St.  I.r.ciiui,  Esq., 

Commander-in-chief  of  a  chosen  body  of  troops  from  the  grand 
army,  as  well  as  aa  extensive  corps  of  Indian  allies  from  all  the  na- 
tions, dtc.  &c. 

Tho  forces  entrusted  to  my  command  are  designed  to  net  in 
concert,  and  upon  a  common  |)rinciple,  with  the  nuiiicrous  armies 
and  lleets  whicli  already  displny,  in  <'V('ry  (piiirler  of  Amcrini,  tho 
power,  justice,  and,  when  properly  sought,  the  mercy  of  IIk;  King. 

The  caust!  in  which  the  IJritish  arms  are  thus  ««.\(<rted,  applies  to 
the  uu)st  allecting  interest  of  the  human  heart,  and  the  military  ser-, 
vants  of  tlui  Cniwii,  at  first  called  forth  for  tho  sole  purpose  of  re. 
storing  the  rights  of  IIk!  constitution,  now  combine  with  love  ol 
their  country  and  duly  to  their  sovereign,  the  other  extensive  in- 
citements which  spring  from  a  due  sense  of  the  general  privileges 
of  mankind.  To  tho  eyes  and  ears  of  the  temperate  part  of  tho 
public,  and  to  the  breast  orsuHtring  thousands  in  the  provinces,  bo 
the  melancholy  app<Mil,  wluillior  the  present  umiatiirul  rijlx-llion  has 
not  been  uuuU'  a  foundation  for  the  eompletest  system  of  tyranny 
that  ever  (Joil  in  his  displeasure  sud'ered  lov  a  timo  to  ho  exorcised 
over  a  froward  and  sfubborn  generation.  Arbitrary  imprisonment, 
ecmfi.scation  of  property,  persecution  and  torture  unprecedented  in 
the  in<piist(ions  of  Ibe  Komish  Church,  are  amcmg  the  palpnblo 
cnoruutics  that  verify  the  allirinutivo.     These  are  inllictod  by  A«. 


u 


xxxu 


APPENDIX. 


'W 


li 


semblies  and  Committees,  who  dare  to  profess  themselves  friends 
to  liberty,  upon  the  most  quiet  subjects,  without  distinction  of  age 
or  sex,  for  the  sole  crime,  often  for  the  sole  suspicion,  of  having  ad- 
hered in  principle  to  the  government  under  which  they  were  born, 
and  to  which  by  every  tie,  divine  and  human,  they  owe  allegiance. 
To  consummate  these  shocking  proceedings,  the  profanation  of  re- 
ligion  is  added  to  the  most  profligate  prostitution  of  common  rea. 
8( '.? ;  the  consciences  of  men  are  set  at  nought ;  and  multitudes  are 
compelled,  not  only  to  bear  arms,  but  also  to  swear  subjection  to  an 
usurpation  they  abhor. 

Animated  hy  these  considerations  ;  at  the  head  of  troops  in  tho 
full  powers  of  health,  discipline  and  valor,  determined  to  strik« 
when  necessary,  and  anxious  to  spare  when  possible ;  I  by  these  pre- 
sents invite  and  exhort  all  persons,  in  all  places  where  the  progress 
of  this  army  may  point,  and  by  the  blessing  of  God  I  will  extend  it 
far,  to  maintain  such  a  conduct  as  may  justify  me  in  protecting 
their  lands,  habitations,  and  families.  The  intention  of  this  ad- 
dress is  to  hold  forth  security,  not  depredation,  to  the  country. 

To  those  whom  spirit  and  principle  may  induce  to  partake  the 
glorious  task  of  redeeming  their  countrymen  from  dungeons,  and  re. 
establishing  the  blessings  of  legal  government,  I  oflt;r  encourage- 
ment and  employment ;  and  u'^  on  the  first  intelligence  of  their  asso- 
ciations, I  will  find  means  to  assist  their  undertakings.  The  domes^ 
tic,  the  industrious,  the  infirm,  and  even  the  timid  inhabitants,  I  am 
desirous  to  protect,  provided  they  remain  quietly  at  their  houses  5 
that  they  do  not  suffer  their  cattle  to  bo  removed,  nor  their  corn  or 
forage  to  be  secreted  or  destroyed  ;  that  they  do  not  break  up  their 
bridges  or  roads;  nor  by  any  other  acts,  directly  or  indirectly,  en- 
dcavor  to  obstruct  the  operations  of  tho  king's  troops,  or  supply  or 
assist  those  of  the  enemy. 

Every  species  of  provision  brought  to  my  camp  will  bo  paid  for 
at  an  equitable  rate  and  in  solid  coin.  If,  notwithstanding  these 
endeavors  and  sincere  inclinations  to  effect  them,  the  frenzy  of 
hostility  should  remain,  I  trust  I  shall  stand  acquitted  in  tho  eyes 
of  Ood  and  man,  in  denouncing  and  executing  tho  vengeance  of  tho 
'State  against  the  wilful  outcasts.  The  messengers  of  justice  and  of 
wrath  await  them  in  tho  field,  and  devastation,  famine,  and  every 
concomitant  horror  that  a  reluctant  but  indispensable  prosecution 
of  military  duty  must  occasion,  will  bar  tho  way  to  their  return. 

lUuKY  St.  Lkukr, 

By  order  of  tho  Commander-in-chief, 

Willi,.  Osn.  Hamilton,  Secretary. 


I     ! 


'11 


^mmmmrmtmmmtfmn-i'f  f^nnt. 


APrENDIX. 


XXXlll 


No.  IV. 


[Reference  from  Page  241.] 


,  I  am 
nouses ; 
orn  or 
>  their 
y,  en. 
ly  or 

lid  for 
these 

■nzy  of 

0  eyes 
of  the 

nnd  ot 
every 

iciition' 

irn. 

R. 


The  fury  and  cruelty  of  the  Indians  and  Tories  at  and  imme- 
diately after  the  battle  of  Oriskany,  is  strongly  set  forth  in  the  fol- 
lowing affidavit,  the  original  of  which  is  now  in  the  office  of  tho 
Secretary  of  State,  Albany.  Dr.  Younglove  died  about  fifteen 
years  since  in  ihe  city  of  Hudson.  He  was  known  to  the  author 
as  a  respectable  man,  though  of  strong  feelings  and  prejudices. 
Any  statement  of  this  kind,  from  a  man  of  his  temperament,  would 
be  likely  to  receive  a  strong  coloring,  without,  however,  any  dc» 
signed  misstatement  of  facts. 

"  Moses  Younglove,  Surgeon  of  General  Herkimer's  brigade  of  mi- 
litia, dcposeth  and  saith,  that  being  in  the  battle  of  said  militia 
above  Oriskany  on  the  Gth  of  August  last,  toward  the  close  of  said 
battle  he  surrendered  himself  a  prisoner  to  a  savage,  who  imme- 
diately yave  him  up  to  a  sergeant  of  Sir  John  Johnson's  regiment ; 
soon  after  which,  a  Lieutenant  in  tho  Indian  department  came  up 
in  company  with  several  otlver  torics,  when  said  Mr.  Grinnia  by 
name,  drew  his  tomahawk  at  this  deponent,  and  with  a  deal  of  per- 
suasion was  hardly  prevailed  on  to  spare  his  life.  He  then  plun- 
dered him  of  his  watch,  buckles,  »purs,  &c.  ;  and  other  tories  fol- 
lowing his  example,  stripped  him  almost  naked  with  a  great  many 
threats,  while  they  were  stripping  and  massacreiug  prisoners  on 
every  side.  That  this  deponent,  on  being  brought  before  Mr.  But- 
ler, Sen.  who  demanded  of  him  what  ho  was  fighting  for  ;  to  which 
this  deponent  answered,  "  he  fought  for  the  liberty  that  God  and 
Nature  gave  him,  and  to  defend  himself  and  dearest  connexions 
from  the  massacre  of  savages."  To  which  Butler  replied,  '•  you 
are  a  danmed  impudent  rebel ;"  and  so  saying,  immediately  turned 
to  the  savages,  encouraging  them  to  kill  him,  and  if  they  did  not, 
the  deponent  and  the  other  prisoners  should  bo  hanged  on  a  gal- 
lows then  preparing.  Tiiat  several  prisoners  were  then  taken  for- 
ward toward  tho  enemy's  head.quartera  with  frequent  scenes  of 
horror  and  mas&icre,  in  which  tories  wore  active  as  well  as  8U< 
vnges ;  and  in  particular  one  Davis,  formerly  known  in  Tryon 
County  on  the  Mohawk  river.  That  Lieut.  Singleton,  of  Sir  John 
JohuHun's  regiment,  being  woundodi  ontroatod  tho  aavuges  to  kill 


1. 


XXXIV 


AVVT.Smx. 


the  prisoners,  which  they  accordingly  did,  as  nigh  as  this  deponent 
ctin  judge,  about  six  or  seven. 

"Tiiat  Isaac  Paris,  Esq.,  was  also  taken  the  same  road,  without 
receiving  from  them  any  remarkable  insult  except  stripping,  until 
some  tories  came  up,  who  kicked  an!  abused  him  ;  after  which  the 
savages,  thinking  him  a  notable  offender,  murdered  him  barbarous, 
ly.  That  those  of  the  prisoners  who  were  delivered  up  to  the  pro. 
vost  guards,  were  kept  without  victuals  for  many  days,  and  had 
neither  clothes,  blankets,  shelter,  nor  fire  ;  whik;  the  guards  were 
ordered  not  to  use  any  violence  in  protecting  the  prisoners  from 
the  savages,  who  came  every  day  in  large  companies  with  knives, 
feeling  of  the  prisoners,  to  know  who  were  fattest.  Tiuit  they 
dragged  one  of  the  prisoners  out  of  the  guard  with  the  most  lament- 
able  cries  ;  tortured  liirn  for  along  time  ;  and  this  deponent  was  in- 
formed,  by  both  tories  and  Indian*,  that  they  ate  him,  as  appears 
they  did  another  on  an  is^land  in  Lake  f^rfm-ifi,  hy  bones  found 
there  nearly  picked,  just  after  they  had  crossed  the  lake  with  the 
prisoners.  That  the  ])risonera  who  wore  not  delivered  up,  were 
murdered  in  considerable  numbers  from  day  to  day  round  the  camp, 
some  of  them  so  nigh  that  their  shrieks  were  heard.  That  Capt. 
Martin,  of  the  batteaux-nicn,  was  delivered  to  tiio  Indians  at  Oswe- 
go, on  pretence  of  his  having  kept  back  some  useful  intelligence. 
That  this  deponent  during  his  imprisonment,  and  his  fellows,  were 
kept  almost  starved  fur  provisions  ;  and  what  they  drew,  v  ere  of  the 
worst  kind,  such  as  spoiled  Hour,  biscuit  full  of  maggots,  and  mouldy, 
and  no  soap  allowed,  or  other  method  of  keeping  clean;  and  were 
insulted,  struck,  &c.  without  mercy  by  the  guards,  without  any 
provocition  given.  That  tliis  deponent  Mas  informed  by  several 
sergeants  orderly  on  (Jen.  St.  Leger,  that  twenty  dollars  were  of- 
fered in  general  orders  for  every  American  scalp. 

MOSES  YOUNGLOYE. 

JOHN  HAUCLAY, 

Cliairman  oJ\'Ubany  CvmmitUe,'^ 


.J. 

I  I  ■  i  f        .1 


No.  V. 

[Rkfkki;xcr  from  Pa  en  210.] 

Tjik  following  is  a  copy  of  the  letter  addressed  to  Colonel  (Janso- 
voort,  while  under  duress  in  (ho  cuiMp  of  (Jeneral  tit.  Logor,  by 
Colonel  lJelling(;r  and  Major  Frey  :— 


««^;4«i» 


^ttoiiiM'-VJ^yMtSiat^swH-^f 


APPENDIX. 


XXXV 


«  Sir, 


«  9  o'clock  P.  M. — Camp  before  Fort  Stanma', 

6th  August,  1777. 


**  It  is  with  concern  we  are  to  acquaint  you  tliat  this  was  the 
fatal  day  in  which  the  succors,  which  >vere  intended  for  your 
relief,  have  been  attacked  and  defeated,  with  great  loss  of  numbers 
killed,  wounded,  and  taken  prisoners.  Our  regard  for  your  safety 
and  lives,  and  our  sincere  advice  to  you  is,  if  you  will  avoid  inevit- 
table  ruin  and  destruction,  to  surrender  the  fort  you  pretend  lo  de- 
fend against  a  formidable  body  of  troops  and  a  good  train  of  artil- 
lery,  which  we  are  witnesses  of:  when,  at  the  same  time,  you  liavc 
no  farther  support  or  relief  to  expect.  We  are  sorry  to  inform  you 
that  most  of  the  principal  oflicers  are  killed;  to  wit — Gen.  Ilerki- 
mer.  Colonels  Cox,  Seebcr,  Isaac  Paris,  Captain  Craves,  and  many 
others  too  tedious  to  mention.  The  British  army  from  Canada 
being  now  perhaps  before  Albany,  tlie  possessiion  of  which  place  of 
course  includes  the  conquest  of  the  Mohawk  river  and  this  fort." 

The  following  endorsement  is  on  the  back  of  this  letter.  "  (Jcil 
St.  Leger,  on  the  day  of  the  date  of  this  letter,  made  a  verbal  sum- 
nions  of  the  fort  by  his  Adjutant  General  and  Colonel  BuUer,  and 
who  then  handed  this  letter  ;  when  Colonel  Gansevoort  refused  any 
answer  to  a  verbal  sununons,  unless  made  by  General  St.  Leger 
himself,  but  at  the  mouth  of  his  cannon." 

(In  regard  to  the  battle  of  Ocisknny,  to  wliich  tlic  prpcpdin::  noto  mfcrs,  tlic  ntitbor 
has  received  an  interesting  anecdote  from  Mr.  John  S.  diiacitcnhosa,  of  iNlontyonicry 
county,  which  would  have  formed  a  page  in  tiie  chapter  conliiiiiiii!^  an  nccDunt  of 
that  battle  had  it  come  to  hand  in  season.  The  father  of  the  author's  correspondent, 
Abraham  D.  duackenboss,  resided  in  the  Mohawk  country  on  Ihi'  soutli  side  of  tlio 
river,  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  Living  as  it  were  among  thi'  liidmiis,  he  spok(; 
their  language  an  well  as  he  did  his  own.  Among  them  b','  hud  a  t'riend,  named 
Bronkaliorse — who,  though  an  Indian,  had  been  liis  playniiite,  and  they  imd  served 
in  the  French  war  together  under  Sir  William  Jolinson.  ^^  ln-u  llie  revidiitionary 
troubles  came  on,  Hronkahorse  called  upon  tlnnrU('nbn«a,  and  endeavored  to  per- 
suade him  to«3pou9e  the  cause  of  the  King — assuring  him  that  liieir  Great  Father 
could  never  be  coiinucred.  Cluackenboss  refused,  and  they  jmrted — the  Indian, 
however,  assuring  Inm  that  they  were  parting  as  friends,  »lthiiui;h,  sinei^  ihey  Imd 
fought  in  one  war  together,  he  had  hoped  ihry  might  do  tin  in  the  other.  Mr.  iJL.  saw 
no  more  of  his  friend  tmtil  the  battle  of  Ori-kanj^.  Piiriui;  the  ihicke.st  of  the  tiirhl, 
lie  beard  his  name  called,  in  the  well-known  voice  of  Broidtahorse,  from  liehind  a 
large  tree  near  by.  He  was  bimself  sheltered  by  a  tree  ;  but  in  lookini:  <nit  for  the 
warrior,  he  saw  his  Indian  friend.  Tiie  latter  now  importuned  tluaekeid)oss  to  sur- 
render, assuring  him  of  kind  treatment  and  protection,  hut  also  assuring  lii"»  that 
unless  he  did  so,  be  would  inevitably  be  killed.  Cluackenboss  reliisetl,  and  ti\e  In- 
dian thereupon  attempted  lo  kill  him.  For  a  moment,  they  watched  each  ollur,  eavh 
endeavoring  to  obtain  the  first  and  best  chance  of  a  shot.  The  Iiirlian  at  length  fired, 
and  Ilia  b  til  struck  the  tree,  but  had  neady  been  fatal.  Springing  I'roiii  his  covert 
upon  the  Indian,  U.uackeul>oss  then  fired,  and  his  friend  lionU  ahorse  fell  dead  on 
the  spot.  It  was  the  helief  of  Mr.  duackeuboss  that  the  loss  of  the  eiicmy  dining 
that  battle  equalled  that  of  Herkimer's  command.  The  latter  suffered  the  most  so* 
vcroly  in  the  oarly  part  of  the  ongagomcnt — the  enemy  in  the  latter  part,] 


XXXVl 


ArPEXDIX. 


iii'"^' 

'111,  1 

■1  1  ■' 

1' 


i  ;  i 


I 


t'«! 


I*. 


In 


f'l  ^ 


^f 


No.  VI. 

[Kkference  tkom  Pagk  252.} 

"  Cainp  before  Fort  Sianwix,  August.  9,  1777 
"  Sir, 

"  Agreeable  to  your  wishes,  I  have  the  honor  io  give  you  on  pa- 
per, the  message  of  yesterday,  thougli  I  cannot  conceive,  explicit 
and  humane  as  it  was,  how  it  could  admit  of  more  than  one  con. 
struction.  After  the  defeat  of  the  reinforcement  and  the  fate  of 
all  your  principal  leaders,  in  which,  naturally,  you  built  your 
hopes ;  and  having  the  strongest  reason  from  veri)al  intelligence, 
and  the  matter  contained  in  the  letters  which  fell  into  my  hands, 
and  knowing  thoroughly  the  situation  of  General  Burgoyne's  army, 
to  be  confident  you  are  without  resource — in  my  fears  and  tenderness 
for  your  personal  safetj'  from  the  hands  of  Indians  enraged  for  the 
loss  of  some  of  theii*  principal  and  most  favourite  leaders — I  called  to 
council  the  chiefs  of  all  the  nations  ;  and  after  having  used  every 
method  that  humanity  could  suggest  to  soften  their  minds,  and  lead 
them  patiently  to  bear  their  own  losses  by  reflecting  on  the  irre- 
trievable misfortune  of  their  enemies,  I  at  last  labored  the  point 
my  humanity  wished  for  ;  which  the  chiefs  assured  me  of  the  next 
morning,  after  a  cojisultation  with  euch  nation,  that  evening,  at 
tiicir  fire-places.  Tlieir  answer,  in  its  fullest  extent,  they  insisted 
should  be  carried  by  Col.  Butler,  which  he  has  given  in  the  most 
categorical  manner.  You  are  well  acquainted  that  Indians  never 
send  messages  without  accompanying  them  with  menaces  on  non. 
compliance,  that  a  civilized  enemy  would  never  think  of  doing; 
yon  may  rest  assured,  therefore,  that  no  insult  was  meant  to  be  of- 
fered to  vour  situation,  by  the  king's  servants,  in  the  message  they 
peremptorily  demanded  to  be  carried  by  Col.  Butler. 

'*  I  am  now  to  repeat  what  has  been  told  you  by  my  Adjutant  Ge- 
neral;  'That  provided  you  will  disliver  up  your  garrison,  with 
every  thing  as  it  stood  at  the  moment  the  first  messngc  was  sent, 
your  people  shall  he  treated  with  every  attention  that  a  humane 
and  generous  enemy  can  give.' 

"I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Sir, 

"  Your  most  obedient,  humble  Servant, 
*•  Barry  St,  liRCKR, 
"  Ptr'tg.  Gen.  of  his  Majesty'' s  forces  " 


ri«.««MMw.5ttiiK&m«MififfMtf  f ;  m\  £  s  '■ 


APPENDIX. 


xxxvu 


"P.  S. — I  expect  an  immediate  answer,  as  the  Indians  are  ex- 
tremely  impatient;  and  if  this  proposal  is  rejected,  I  am  afraid  it 
will  be  attended  with  very  fata!  consequences,  not  only  to  you  and 
your  garrison,  but  the  whole  country  down  the  Mohawk  river — 
such  consequences  as  will  be  very  repugnant  to  my  sentiments  of 
humanity,  but  after  this  entirely  out  of  my  power  to  prevent. 

"  Barry  St.  Leger." 
*'  Col.  Gansevoort,  '    .OMnding  Fort  Stanwix." 


No.  VII. 


[Refrre^jcr  from  Page  253.] 


"  Camp  before  Fort  Stanwix^  August  13,  1777. 
"  To  the  Inhabitants  of  Tryon  County. 

"  Notwithstanding  the  many  and  groat  injuries  we  have  re- 
reived  in  person  and  property  at  your  hands,  and  being  at  the  head 
of  victorious  troops,  we  most  ardently  wish  to  have  peac  restored 
to  this  once  happy  country ;  to  obtain  which,  we  are  willing  and 
desirous,  upon  a  proper  submission  on  your  parts,  to  bury  ia  obli- 
vion all  that  is  past,  and  hope  that  you  are,  or  will  be,  convinced  in 
the  end  that  we  were  your  friends  and  good  advisers,  and  not  such 
wicked,  designing  men,  as  those  who  led  you  into  error,  and  almost 
total  ruin.  You  have,  no  doubt,  great  reason  to  dread  the  resent, 
ment  of  the  Indians,  on  account  of  the  loss  they  sustained  in  the 
late  action,  and  the  mulish  obstinacy  of  your  troops  in  this  gar- 
rison,  who  have  no  resource  but  in  themselves  ;  for  which  reasons 
the  Indians  declare,  that  if  they  do  not  surrender  the  garrison  with- 
out  further  opposition,  they  will  put  every  soul  to  death, — not  only 
the  garrison,  but  the  whole  country,— without  any  regard  to  age,  sex, 
or  friends ;  for  which  reason  it  is  become  your  indispensable  duty, 
as  you  must  answer  the  consequences,  to  send  a  deputation  of 
your  principal  people,  to  oblige  them  immediately  to  what,  in  a 
very  little  time,  they  must  bo  forced,— the  surrender  of  the  garrison  ; 
in  which  case  we  will  engage,  on  the  faith  of  Christians,  to  protect 
you  from  the  violence  of  the  Indians. 

Surroundcid  as  you  are  by  victorious  armies,  one  half  (if  not  the 
greater  part)  of  the  inhabitants  friends  to  government,  without  any 


•-i      'I 


XXXVlll 


APPENDIX. 


resource,  surely  you  cannot  hesitate  a  moment  to  accept  the  terins 
proposed  to  you  by  friends  and  well-wishers  to  the  country. 

John  Johnson,  ^ 

D.  W.  CtATJs,    >  Superintendents. 

John  Butler,   ) 


No.  VIII. 
[Reference  from  Page  256.] 

*' By  the  Hon.   Benedict  Arnold,  JEsy.  Major-general  and  Cont' 

mander-in.chief  of  the  army  of  the  United  States  of  America  on  the 

Mohawk  River. 

"  Whereas  a  certain  Barry  St.  Leger,  a  Brigadier-general  in 
the  service  of  George  of  Great  Britain,  at  the  head  of  a  ban. 
ditti  of  robbers,  murderers,  and  traitors,  composed  of  savages  of 
America,  and  more  savage  Britons,  (among  whom  is  the  noted  Sir 
John  Johnson,  John  Butler^  and  Daniel  Claus,)  have  lately  appeared 
in  the  frontiers  of  this  State,  and  have  threatened  ruin  and  destruc- 
tion to  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States.  They  have  also, 
by  artifice  and  misrepresentation,  induced  many  of  the  ignorant  i.nd 
unwary  sul)jects  of  these  States  to  forfeit  their  allegiance  to  the 
sam.c,  and  join  with  them  in  their  atrocious  crimes,  and  parties  of 
treachery  and  parricide. 

"  Humanity  to  those  poor  deluded  wretches,  who  are  hastening 
blindfold  to  destruction,  induces  me  to  offer  them,  and  all  others 
concerned,  (whether  Savages,  Germans,  Americans,  or  Britons,,) 
pahdon,  provided  they  do,  within  ten  days  from  the  date  hereof, 
come  in  and  lay  down  their  arms,  sue  for  protection,  and  swear  al- 
legiance to  the  United  States  of  America. 

"  But  if,  still  blind  to  their  own  interest  and  safety,  they  obsti- 
nately persist  in  their  wicked  courses,  determined  to  draw  on  them- 
selves the  just  vengeance  of  heaven  and  of  this  exasperated  coun- 
try,  they  must  expect  no  mercy  from  either. 

"  B.  Arnold,  M.  G. 

"  Given  under  my  hand,  Head-quarters,  German  FlaUs,  '20th 
August,  1777." 


\ 


^^i8#^g.ii^^}aawiyi»iiifc^^^^?i ' 


APPENDIX. 


XXXIX 


No.  IX. 


obstU 
them, 
coun- 

G. 

UOth 


[Reference  from  Page  274.] 

Extracts  from  Mad.  de  RiedcseVs  account  of  her  Residence  in  America. 

When  the  army  broke  up,  on  the  11th  of  September,  1777,  I  was 
at  first  told  that  I  must  remain  behind  ;  but  on  my  repeated  en- 
treaties, and  as  other  ladies  had  been  permitted  to  follow  the  army, 
the  same  indulgence  was  extended  to  me.  We  advanced  by  short 
journeys,  and  went  through  many  toils ;  yet  I  would  have  pur- 
chased  at  any  price  the  privilege  thus  granted  to  me  of  seeing  daily 
my  husband.  I  had  sent  back  my  baggage,  and  only  kept  a  small 
bundle  of  summer  dresses.  In  the  beginning,  all  went  well ;  we 
thought  that  there  was  little  doubt  of  our  being  successful,  and  of 
reaching  "the  promised  land ;"  and  when,  on  the  passage  across  the 
Hudson,  general  Burgoyne  exclaimed,  "  IJritons  never  retrograde," 
our  spirits  rose  mightily.  I  observed,  however,  with  surprise,  that  the 
wives  of  the  officers  were  beforehand  informed  of  all  the  military 
plans ;  and  I  was  so  much  the  more  struck  with  it,  as  I  remembered 
with  how  much  secresy  all  dispositions  were  made  in  the  armies  of 
Duke  Ferdinand  during  the  seven-years'  war.*  Thus  the  Ameri- 
cans anticipated  our  movements,  and  expected  us  wherever  we  ar- 
rive.'  :  and  this  of  course  injured  our  affairs.  On  the  19th  of 
September,  an  action  took  place,  which  ended  to  our  advantage  ; 
but  we  were,  in  consequence,  obliged  to  halt  at  a  place  called  Free- 
man's Farm.  I  witnessed  the  whole  action,  and  knowing  that  my 
husband  was  among  the  combatants,  I  was  full  of  anxiety  and  care, 
and  trembled  at  every  shot — and  nothing  escaped  my  ear.  I  saw 
a  great  number  of  wounded,  and,  what  was  still  worse,  three  of  them 
were  brought  into  the  house  where  I  was.  One  of  them  was  a  Ma. 
jor  Harnage,  whoso  wife  was   with  us ;  the  second,  a  lieutenant, 

*  Lieutenant  Auburcy  made  a  similar  remark  when  Iho  army  was  yet  in  Cana- 
da; "  We  have  more  dangerous  cncmit'3  at  hon\c  than  any  wo  have  to  encounter 
abroad;  for  all  tlie  transactioTis  that  are  to  take  place,  are  ]niblicly  known  long 
before  they  are  officially  given  out  in  ordors;  and  I  make  no  doubt  but  you  will  be 
aa  much  surprised  as  the  General  (Bnrj;oyne)  was,  when  I  tell  you  that  the  whole 
operations  of  the  ensuing  campai<i;n  were  canvassed  for  several  days  before  he  ar- 
rived, who,  no  doubt,  supposed,  that  in  giving  out  his  orders,  he  was  eonnnunicating 
an  f  ntiro  secret."— [Montreal,  May  '20th,  1777.     Vol.  1,  p.  SO.J.] 

Great  secresy,  observes  the  same  writer,  was,  on  the  contrary,  observed  in  the 
American  army. 


I'f ', 


M  'I 


li'i; 


W 


til  '■  \i  i\ 


Vlg  I 


f 


.:,:  I   ' 


i'  J.'     ! 


xl 


APPENDIX. 


whose  wife  was  of  our  acquaintance ;  and  the  third,  a  young  Eng- 
lish  officer  called  Young.  The  Major  occupied,  with  his  wife,  a 
room  close  by  to  that  where  I  was.  He  had  received  a  shot  through 
his  body,  and  suffered  exquisite  pains.  A  few  days  after  our  ar- 
rival, I  heard  groans  in  another  room,  and  was  told  that  the  young 
officer,  whom  I  have  just  mentioned,  was  lying  there,  and  that  his 
recovery  was  very  doubtful.  I  took  much  interest  in  him,  as  a  fa- 
mily  of  his  name  had  shown  me  great  kindness  during  my  stay  in 
England.  He  expressed  a  great  desire  to  see  his  benefactress,  for 
so  he  called  me.  1  went  into  his  room,  and  found  him  on  a  thin 
bed  of  straw,  for  he  had  lost  his  whole  baggage.  He  was  eighteen 
or  nineteen  years  old,  an  only  son,  and  the  nephew  of  the  same  Mr. 
Young  I  had  known  in  England.  He  lamented  for  his  parents' 
sake,  but  said  nothing  of  his  sufferings.  He  had  lost  much  blood, 
and  the  surgeon  advised  him  to  submit  to  the  amputation  of  his 
wounded  leg;  but  he  would  not  consent  to  it,  though  the  limb  had 
become  gangrenous.  I  sent  him  pillows  and  blankets,  and  my  rr.aids 
gave  him  their  mattress.  I  took  more  and  more  care  of  him,  and 
visited  him  daily  ;  for  which  he  thanked  me  a  thousand  times.  At 
last  the  amputation  took  place ;  but  it  was  too  lato,  and  he  died  a 
few  days  afterwards.  My  room  being  close  to  his,  and  the  walls 
very  thin,  1  heard  his  last  moans. 

I  occupied  a  tolerably  good  house,  and  had  a  large  room.  The 
door  and  the  wainscot  were  of  cedar,  a  sort  of  wood  which  is  found 
in  -abundance  here  :  insects  are  driven  away  by  the  smell  of  it 
when  it  is  burned,  and  it  is  often  used  for  that  purpose ;  but  some 
people  believe  that  the  smoke  of  it  is  injurious  to  the  nerves,  and 
principally  to  females  in  certain  situations. 

For  our  farther  march,  I  had  caused  a  calash  to  he  made  for  me, 
in  which  I  could  take,  not  only  my  children,  but  also  my  two  fe- 
male attendants :  and  thus  I  followed  the  army  in  the  midst  of  the 
troops,  who  were  in  great  spirits,  and  sang  and  longed  for  victory. 
We  marched  through  endless  forests,  and  a  beautiful  district, 
though  deserted  by  the  inhabitants,  who  ran  away  at  our  approach 
to  reinforce  General  Gates's  army.  They  are  naturally  soldiers  and 
excellent  marksmen,  and  the  idea  of  fighting  for  their  country  and 
their  liberty  increased  their  innate  courage.  My  husband  was  en- 
camped with  the  rest  of  the  army  :  being  myself  an  hour's  ride  be- 
hind the  army,  I  went  every  morning  to  pay  him  a  visit  in  the 
camp,  and  sometimes  I  dined  there  with  him,  but  generally  ho  took 
his  dinner  in  my  quarters.  There  were  daily  skirmishes  with  the 
enemy,  generally  of  little  importance.     But  my  husband  could  never 


11 


*4mMmMmmmmkm 


APPENDIX. 


Xli 


and 


sleep  without  lus  clothes.  The  weather  having  already  grown  rough- 
er, Colonel  Williams  of  the  artillery  thought  our  mutual  visits  were 
rather  too  fatiguing  for  us,  and  proposed  to  have  a  house  built  for 
me  with  a  chimney,  which  should  not  cost  more  than  five  or  six 
guineas,  and  which  I  could  uninterruptedly  inhabit.  I  accepted  of 
his  offer  ;  and  the  building,  which  was  to  be  about  twenty  feet 
square,  was  begim.  Such  a  dwelling  is  callod  a  block-house,  for 
which  logs  nearly  of  equal  diameter  are  put  together ;  and  if  the 
interstices  are  filled  up  with  clay,  it  is  not  only  very  solid,  but  very 
warm.  I  was  to  take  possession  of  it  on  the  next  day  :  and  I  re- 
joiced in  it  the  more,  as  the  nights  were  damp  and  cold,  and  it  being 
close  to  the  camp,  my  husband  would  be  able  to  be  with  me.  But 
all  at  once,  on  the  7th  of  October,  he  marched  away  with  the 
whole  staff",  and  then  our  misfortunes  began.  While  breakfasting 
with  my  husband,  I  heard  that  something  was  under  contemplation. 
General  Fraser,  and,  I  believe,  Generals  Burgoyne  and  Philips,  were 
to  dine  with  me  on  that  day.  I  remarked  much  movement  in  the 
camp.  My  husband  told  me  that  it  was  a  mere  reconnoissance ; 
and  as  this  was  frequent,  I  was  not  much  alarmed  at  it.  On  my 
way  homeward  I  met  a  number  of  Indians,  armed  with  guns,  and 
clad  in  their  war  dresses.  Having  asked  them  where  they  were 
going,  they  replied,  "  War,  war  ;"  by  which  they  meant  that  they  were 
about  to  fight.  This  made  me  very  uneasy,  and  I  had  scarcely  got 
home  before  I  heard  reports  of  guns  ;  and  soosi  the  fire  became 
brisker,  till  at  last  the  noise  grew  dreadful,  upon  which  I  was  more 
dead  than  alive.  About  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  instead  of 
guests  whom  I  had  expected  to  dine  with  me,  I  saw  one  of  them, 
poor  General  Fra=ier,  brought  upon  a  hand-barrow,  mortally  wound- 
ed. The  table,  which  was  already  prepared  for  dinner,  was  imme- 
diately removed,  and  a  bed  placed  in  its  stead  for  the  General.  I 
sat,  terrified  and  trembling,  in  a  corner.  The  noise  grew  more 
alarming,  and  I  was  in  a  continual  tremor  while  thinking  that  my 
husband  Uiight  soon  also  be  brought  in,  wounded  like  General 
Fraser.  That  poor  General  said  to  the  surgeon,  "  tell  me  the  truth  : 
is  there  no  hope?"  His  wound  was  exactly  like  that  of  Major 
Harnage  ;  the  ball  had  passed  through  his  body,  but,  unhappily  for 
the  General,  he  had  that  morning  eaten  a  full  breakfast,  by  which 
the  stomach  was  distended,  and  the  ball,  as  the  surgeon  remarked, 
passed  directly  through  it.  I  heard  often,  amidst  his  groans,  such 
words  as  these,  "  O  bad  ambition !  poor  General  Burgoyne  !  'poor  Mis- 
tress  Fraser."  Prayers  were  read,  after  which  he  desired  that  Ge- 
neral  Burgoyne  should  be  requested  to  have  him  buried  the  next 


If   hi 


t'    !l 


II  < 


I  :M 


xlii 


APPENDIX. 


(lay,  at  six  o'clock  in  the  evening,  on  a  hill  where  a  breast-work  had 
been  constructed.  I  knew  not  what  to  do :  the  entrance  and  all 
the  rooms  were  full  of  sick,  in  consequence  of  tlie  dysentery  which 
prevailed  in  the  camp.  At  length,  toward  evening,  my  husband 
came;  and  from  that  moment  my  alfliction  was  much  soothed,  and 
I  breathed  thanks  to  God.  lie  dined  with  me  and  tlieaids-de-camp 
in  great  haste,  in  an  open  space  in  the  rear  of  the  liouse.  We  poor 
females  had  been  told  that  our  troops  had  been  victorious  ;  but  I 
well  saw,  by  the  melancholy  countenance  of  my  husband,  that  it 
was  quite  the  contrary.  On  going  away,  he  took  mo  aside  to  tell 
me  every  thing  went  badly,  and  that  I  should  prepare  myself  to  de« 
part,  but  without  saying  any  thing  to  any  body.  Under  the  pre- 
tence  of  removing  the  next  day  to  my  new  lodgings,  I  ordered  the 
baggage  to  be  packed  up.  Lady  Ackhind's  tent  was  near  ours. 
She  slept  tliere,  and  spent  the  day  in  tlie  camp.  On  a  sudden  she 
received  news  that  her  husband  was  mortally  wounded  and  taken 
prisoner.  She  was  much  distressed ;  we  endeavored  to  persuade 
her  that  the  wound  was  not  so  dangerous,  but  advised  her  to  ask 
permission  to  join  her  husband,  to  take  care  of  him  in  his  sickness. 
8hc  was  much  attached  to  him,  though  he  was  rude  and  intempe> 
rate ;  yet  he  was  a  good  ollicer.  She  was  a  lovely  woman.  I  di. 
vided  the  night  between  her  whom  I  wished  to  comfort,  and  my 
children  who  were  asleep,  but  who,  I  feared,  migiit  disturb  the  poor 
dying  (jleneral.  Ho  sent  me  several  messages  to  beg  my  pardon  for 
the  trouble  he  thought  he  gave  me.  About  H  o'clock  I  was  in. 
formed  that  he  could  not  live  much  longer,  and  as  I  did  not  wish  to 
be  present  at  his  last  struggle,  I  wrapped  my  children  in  blankets, 
and  retir  '1  into  the  entrance  hall.  At  8  o'clock  in  the  morning  ho 
expired. 

Orders  had  already  been  issued  that  the  army  should  break  up 
immediately  after  the  funeral,  and  our  calashes  wore  ready.  I  was 
unwilling  to  depart  sooner.  Major  Ilarnage,  though  hardly  able 
to  walk  a  step,  left  his  bed,  that  he  might  not  remain  in  the  lies, 
pital,  upon  which  a  (lag  of  truce  hud  been  erected.  When  he  saw 
me  thus  in  the  midst  of  danger,  he  drove  my  children  and  female 
atlenilunts  ir.to  the  vehicle,  anti  told  ino  that  I  had  not  a  moment  to 
lose.  1  begged  to  bo  permitted  to  remain  a  little  longer.  "  Do 
what  you  please,"  re|)lied  he  ;  "  but  your  children  I  must  at  least 
save."  This  touched  my  most  tender  feelings  :  I  sprung  into  the 
carriage,  and  at  8  o'ehu      wo  de|»art(!(l. 

IVofuund  silence  had  been  reconnuended  to  us ;  largo  fires  wcro 


V:! 


ttl 


ai\wa8iaiiiitfci'<T: 


APPENDIX. 


xliii 


lighted,  and  many  tents  were  left  untouched,  to  conceal  our  move- 
ment from  the  enemy.  We  proceeded  on  our  way  tlie  whole  niglit. 
Frederica  was  afraid,  and  began  to  cry :  I  was  obliged  to  press  a 
handkerchief  to  her  mouth. 

We  were  halted  at  six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  to  our  general 
amazement.  General  Burgoyne  ordered  the  artillery  to  be  drawn  up 
in  a  line,  and  to  have  it  counted.  This  gave  much  dissatisfaction, 
as  a  few  marches  more  would  have  ensured  our  safety.  My  bus. 
band  was  exhausted  by  fatigue,  and  took  a  scat  in  the  calash,  where 
my  maids  made  room  for  him ;  and  lie  slept  for  three  hours  upon 
my  shoulder.  In  the  mean  time  Captain  Willoc  broui^ht  me  bis 
pocket-book,  containing  bank  notes,  and  Captain  Ceistnar,  a  Ijcauti- 
ful  watch,  a  ring,  and  a  well-provided  purse,  requcsling  mo  to  keep 
them,  which  I  promised  to  do  to  the  last.  At  length  \vc  recoiu- 
menced  our  march  ;  but  scarcely  an  hour  had  elapsed  Im  fore  the 
army  was  again  halted,  because  the  enriiiy  was  in  siglit.  Tliry 
were  but  two  hundred  in  number,  who  came  to  roeomioilro,  and 
who  might  easily  have  been  taken  had  not  Ceneral  Ilurgnyne  lost 
all  bis  presence  of  mind.  The  rain  fell  in  torrents.  Liuly  Ack- 
laud  bad  caused  her  tent  to  be  fixed  up.  I  ngain  suggested  to  her 
the  pr()[)riety  of  rejoining  her  husband,  to  whom  she  mijrbt  be  of 
great  service  in  bis  prt'sent  situation.  Yielding  to  tny  advice,  she 
sent  a  message  to  Ceneral  llurgoyne,  tlirougii  his  aid-de-eaiiip 
Lord  Petersham,  to  beg  his  permission  to  leave  the  army.  I  told 
her  that  she  need  only  insist  upon  it,  and  she  woidd  certainly  suc- 
ceed. The  Rev.  Mr.  linidenel  accouipanied  her,  aiul  they  went 
together  in  a  boot,  with  a  Hag  of  truce,  to  the  enemy.  'J'here  is  a 
well-known  and  fine  engraving  of  that  event.  I  afterward  met 
with  lady  Ackland  at  Albany,  when  her  husband  was  aliu<ist 
entirely  recovered  ;  and  both  thanked  me  for  my  advice.  On  the 
Olh,  it  rained  terribly  the  whole  day  ;  nevertheless  we  kept  our- 
selves ready  to  uiarch.  The  savages  bad  lost  their  courage,  and 
they  walked  oil' in  all  directions.  The  least  untoward  event  made 
them  dispirited,  especially  when  there  was  no  opportunity  for 
plunder. 


Wo  reached  Saratoga  about  dark,  which  was  but  half  an  hour's 
mi>rch  from  the  place  where  we  had  spent  the  ilay.  I  was  quite 
wet,  and  was  obliged  to  remain  in  that  condition  for  want  of  a 
place  to  change  my  ap|)arel.  I  seated  myself  n«  ar  tlu;  fire,  ami 
undressed  the  children,  and  wo  then  laid  ourselves  upon  some  straw. 
I  usUcd  C.onoral  Phillips,  who  camo  to  sco  how  I   was,  why  wo  did 

u 


'*  ,• 


xliv 


APPENDIX. 


♦t 


;i;i 


;;» 


not  continue  otir  retreat,  my  liusl)and  having  pledged  himself  to  co* 
ver  the  movement,  and  to  hring  off  the  army  in  safety.  "  My  poor 
lady,"  said  he,  "  you  astonish  inc.  Though  quite  wet,  you  have  so 
much  courage  as  to  wish  to  go  farther  in  this  weather.  What  a 
pity  it  is  that  ycu  are  not  our  commanding  general !  He  com- 
plains  of  fatigue,  and  has  determined  upon  spending  the  night  here,- 
and  giving  us  a  supper."  It  is  very  true  that  General  Burgoyne 
liked  to  make  himself  easy,  and  tluit  he  spent  half  his  nights  in 
singing  and  drinking,  and  diverting  himself  with  the  wife  of  a  com- 
missary, who  was  his  mistress,  and  who  was  as  fond  of  Champaign 
as  himself.  I  refreshed  myself  at  7  o'clock  the  next  morning,  (tho 
10th  of  October,)  with  a  cup  of  tea,  and  we  all  expected  that  we 
should  soon  continue  our  march.  General  Burgoyne  had  given 
<.rders  to  set  fire  to  (Jeneral  Schuyler's  fine  buildings  and  mills  at 
Saratoga,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  our  retreat.  An  English 
ofiiccr  brought  me  some  good  soup,  and  insisted  that  I  should  par- 
take of  it.  After  tliis,  we  continued  our  march  ;  but  only  for  a 
short  time.  There  was  much  misery  and  disorder  in  the  army. 
The  commissaries  had  forgotten  to  distribute  provisions,  though  we 
had  an  ahimdancc  of  cattle.  I  saw  more  than  thirty  ofliccrs,  who 
complained  bitterly  of  hunger.     I  gave  them  coflee  and  tea,  and 

every  thing  eatable  tliat  I  had  in  my  calash. 

*         *         *         ♦         **         *         *         *         * 

Our  calaslios  reuuiint.'d  in  nuvdinoss  to  depart.  Every  body  ad- 
vised a  retreat,  and  my  husband  pledged  himself  to  effect  that 
movement,  if  no  time  wiis  lost.  But  (Jeneral  Burgoyne,  who  had 
been  promist'd  an  Order,  if  he  shoultl  eflect  his  jimction  with  Ge- 
neral Howe,  could  not  l)e  persuadeil  to  it,  and  lost  every  thing  by 
his  dilatoriness.  About  2  o'clock  we  heard  again  a  report  of  mus. 
kets  and  cannon,  and  there  was  much  alarm  and  bustle  among  our 
troops.  My  husband  sent  mo  word  that  I  should  inmiediately  re- 
tire into  a  house  which  was  not  fur  off.  I  got  into  my  calash  with 
my  children  ;  and  when  we  were  near  the  house,  I  saw,  on  tluMippo- 
site  bank  of  tli(^  Hudson,  five  or  six  men,  who  aimed  at  us  willi 
their  guns.  Without  knowing  what  I  did,  I  (hrcw  my  children 
into  the  back  part  of  the  vehicle,  and  laid  myself  upon  them.  At 
the  same  moment  the  fellows  fired,  and  broke  the  arm  of  a  poor 
English  soldirr,  who  stood  i)eliind  us,  and  who,  being  already 
wounded,  souglit  a  slxlter.  tSooii  iil'irr  our  errival  a  terrilde  can- 
noiiadu  began,  and  tho  lirn  was  principally  dirocte<l  against  thn 
house,  where  we  had  hoped  to  find  a  nd'uge,  probably  because  tho 
enemy  inferred,  from  the  great  number  of  people  who  went  towards  it, 


y#«fc«L*aJ!M|ii8f  Witifei;,l.iii*l-I  y. 


AVVT.yVXX. 


Mv 


wlio 
and 


that  this  was  thohead-qimrtcrs  of  tlin  Gcnornls,  whilo,  in  rnnlity,  none 
were  there  except  women  and  crippled  soldiers.  Wo  wore  at  last 
obliged  to  descend  into  tlie  cellar,  where  I  liiid  myscll"  in  u  corner 
near  the  door.  My  children  put  their  heads  upon  my  knees.  An 
abominable  smell,  the  cries  of  tin;  children,  and  my  own  anguish  of 
mind,  did  not  permit  me  to  close  my  eyes  during  the  wlioh;  night. 
On  the  next  morning  the  cannonade  begun  anew,  but  in  a  difl'ercnt 
direction.  I  advised  my  fellow-sufiiirers  to  withdraw,  for  a  wliile, 
from  the  cellar,  in  order  to  give  time  to  clean  it,  for  we  should 
otherwise  injure  our  health.  On  an  inspection  of  our  retreat,  I 
discovered  that  there  were  three  cellars,  spacious  and  well  vaulfed. 
I  suggested  that  one  of  them  should  be  ap]»ropiiated  to  the  use  of 
the  oflicers  who  were  most  severely  woundcil,  the  next  to  the  fe- 
males,  and  (he  third,  which  was  nearest  to  the  staircase,  to  all  the  rest 
of  the  company.  We  were  just  going  riown,  when  a  new  thuudfr 
of  cannon  threw  us  again  into  alarm,  ^fany  piM-sons,  who  had  no 
right  to  enter,  threw  themsriveg  against  (lie  diMU'.  Mv  eliildren 
were  already  at  the  bottom  of  the  staircase,  and  every  on<'  of  us 
would  probably  have  been  crushed  to  death,  had  I  not  put  mysidf 
before  the  entrance  and  resisted  the  intruders.  Mlcvcu  eaniion- 
balls  passed  thnmgh  the  housr,  and  made  a  treinendnus  noise.  A 
poor  solilier,  who  was  about  to  have  a  log  nniputa(i>'l,  lost  the  other 
bv  me  of  these  balls.  All  his  comrades  ran  away  at  thiit  rnouiont, 
t.T-  <'iien  they  returned,  they  found  him  in  one  corner  (»f  (he  rooui 
i  ,  •  gonies  of  death.  I  was  myself  in  the  deepest  distress,  not 
so  mr.cli  on  account  of  my  own  dangers,  as  of  thosp  to  wliieli  my 
husband  was  exposed,  who,  however,  fre«]uently  sent  me  messag(>s, 
inquiring  after  my  health.  Major  llarnage's  wif«;,  a  Mrs.  Ueynoll, 
the  wile  of  the  good  lieutenant  who  had,  on  the  preceding  dav, 
shared  liis  soup  with  mv,  (lie  wife  of  (he  commissary,  and  nivself, 
were  tlie  only  oflicers'  wives  at  present  with  (he  army.  We  sat 
together,  deploring  our  situation,  when  somebody  having  entered, 
all  my  companions  exchanged  looks  of  deep  sorrow,  whispering  at 
the  same  time  to  one  ant)ther.  I  immofliately  suspected  (hat  my 
husband  had  be<<n  killed.  I  shriek<Ml  aloud  ;  but  was  immrMliately 
told  that  nothing  had  happened  to  my  husltand,  and  was  given  to 
understand,  by  a  sidelong  glance,  that  the  Lieutenant  had  been 
killed.  His  wife  was  soon  called  out,  and  found  that  the  Lieu. 
tenant  was  y<"t  alive,  (hough  one  of  his  arms  had  been  shot  ofl', 
near  the  shotdder,  by  a  cannon-ball.  NN'e  ht>ard  his  groans  and  la- 
montations  during  (he  whole  nigh(,  which  were  dreadfully  re-echoed 
through  the  vaulted  relhirs ;  and  in  the  morning  he  expired.     My 


xlvi 


APPENDIX. 


husband  came  to  visit  me  during  the  night,  which  served  to  diminish 
my  sadness  and  dejection  in  some  degree.  On  the  next  morning 
we  thought  of  making  our  cellar  a  more  convenient  residence. 
Major  Harnage  and  his  wife,  and  Mrs.  Reynell,  took  possession  of 
one  corner,  and  transformed  it  info  a  kind  of  closet  by  means  of  a 
curtain.  I  was  also  to  have  a  similar  retreat  ;  but  I  preferred  to 
remain  near  the  door,  that  I  miglit  escape  more  easily  in  case  of 
fire.  I  had  straw  put  under  my  mattresses,  and  on  these  I  laid  myself 
with  my  children  ;  and  my  female  servants  slept  near  us.  Oppo- 
site  to  us  were  three  officers,  who,  though  woimded,  were  deter, 
mined  not  to  remain  behind  if  tiie  army  retreated.  One  of  them 
was  Captain  Green,  aid-de-camp  to  General  Phillips,  and  a  very 
amiable  and  worthy  gentleman.  All  three  swore  they  would  not 
depart  without  me  in  case  of  a  sudden  retreat,  and  that  each  of 
them  would  take  one  of  my  children  on  his  horse.  One  of  my  bus. 
band's  horses  was  constantly  in  readiness  for  myself.  Mr.  de 
Riedesel  thought  often  of  sending  me  to  the  American  camp,  to 
save  me  from  danger ;  but  I  declared  that  nothing  would  be  more 
painful  to  mo  than  to  live  on  good  terms  with  thof^e  with  whom  he 
was  fighting ;  upon  which  he  consented  that  I  should  continue  to 
follow  the  army.  However,  the  apprehension  that  he  might  have 
marched  away  repeatedly  intruded  itself  into  my  mind;  and  I 
crept  up  the  staircase,  more  than  once,  to  confirm  or  dispel  my 
fears  ;  and  when  I  saw  our  soldiers  near  their  watch-fires,  I  becamo 
more  calm,  and  could  even  have  slept. 

The  want  of  water  continuing  to  distress  us,  we  could  not  but 
be  extremely  glad  to  iind  a  soldier's  wife  so  spirited  as  to  fetch 
Bome  from  the  river,  an  occupation  from  which  the  boldest  might 
have  shrunk,  as  the  Americans  shot  every  one  who  approached  it. 
They  told  us  at'terwards  tl  at  they  spared  her  on  account  of  her  sex. 

I  endeavored  to  dispel  my  melancholy,  by  continually  .'ttending 
to  the  wounded.  I  made  them  tea  and  colleo,  for  which  I  received 
their  warmest  acknowledgments.  I  often  shared  my  dinner  with 
them.  One  day  a  Canadian  o(lic(>r  ciimo  creeping  into  our  cellar, 
and  was  hardly  able  to  say  that  he  was  dying  with  Lunger.  I  felt 
happy  to  ofier  him  my  dinner,  by  eating  which  he  recovered  his 
health  and  I  gained  his  friendship.  On  our  return  to  Canada  I 
became  acquainted  with  his  family. 

I  also  took  care  of  Major  IMoomfield,  who  was  woimdcd  by  a 
musket-ball,  which  passed  through  both  his  che(;ks,  knocked  o>it  his 
teeth  and  injurud  his   tunguo.     Ho  could   retain  nothing  in  his 


y<  '■; 


**4iit-;*i!wHii'i"!i'^a4fe(ili;iyii-^i  *:'•']  i 


APPENDIX. 


xlvii 


mouth,  and  soup  and  liquids  were  his  only  nourishment.  Fortu- 
nately we  had  some  Rhenish  wine,  and  in  the  hope  that  the  acidity 
would  contrihute  to  iieal  his  wound,  I  gave  iiim  a  bottle,  of  which 
he  took  a  little  now  and  then,  and  with  such  effect  that  he  was 
soon  cured.  I  tlius  acquired  a  new  friend,  and  enjoyed  some  hap- 
piness in  the  midst  of  cares  and  sufferings,  which  otherwise  would 
have  weighed  heavily  upon  my  spirits.  On  one  of  these  mournful 
days,  General  Pliillips,  wishing  to  pay  me  a  visit,  accompanied  my 
husband,  who  came  once  or  twice  daily,  at  the  risk  of  his  life  ;  and 
seeing  our  situation,  and  observing  the  entreaties  I  made  to  my 
husband  not  to  be  left  behind,  in  case  the  army  should  suddenly 
break  up,  and  my  reluctance  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy, 
he  plead  my  cause,  and  said,  on  retiring  "  I  would  not,  for  ten 
thousand  guineas,  see  this  place  again.  I  am  heart-broken  with 
what  I  have  seen." 

All  our  companions,  however,  did  not  deserve  so  much  commise- 
ration. We  had  some  in  our  cellars  who  ought  not  to  have  been 
there,  and  who  afterwards,  when  we  were  prisoners,  were  in  per- 
fect health,  and  walked  about  quite  erect,  and  strutted  as  much  as 
they  could.  We  remained  six  days  in  this  doleful  retreat.  At  last  a 
capitulation  was  talked  of,  in  consequence  of  having  lost,  by  useless 
delays,  the  opportunity  of  effecting  our  retreat.  A  cessation  of 
hostilities  took  place,  and  my  husband,  who  was  quite  exhausted  by 
fatigue,  could  now,  for  the  first  time,  sleep  quietly  in  a  little  cham- 
ber,  while  I  retired  with  my  children  and  the  maid-servants  into 
the  adjoining  room.  Towards  one  o'clock  a  person  came  and  asked 
to  speak  with  him.  I  was  very  reluctant  to  awak»!n  him  at  that 
hour  of  the  night  ;  and  I  soon  observed  that  the  errand  did  not 
much  please  him,  for  he  imuiediately  sent  the  messenger  hack  to 
the  head-quarters,  and  laid  himself  down  again,  out  of  humor. 
Soon  after  this  (ieneral  llurgoyne  sent  for  all  the  Generals  and 
field.offu;ers  to  attend  a  council  of  war  early  next  morning,  when 
he  proposed  to  break  the  capitulation,  in  consequence  of  some 
groimdiess  information  he  had  received.  It  was,  however,  decided 
that  (his  step  was  neither  advisable  nor  practicable;  and  this  deter- 
mination was  very  fortunati;  for  us,  as  the  Americans  told  us  after- 
wards,  that,  had  we  broken  (he  treaty,  we  should  all  have  been  cut 
to  pieces.  This  they  coidd  easily  have  done,  as  our  army  was  ro- 
diiced  to  four  or  five  thoiisanii  mm,  while  wo  had  given  them  time 
to  raise  theirs  to  twenty  thousand.  On  the  morning  of  the  10th, 
however,  my  huaband  was  obliged  to  repair  to  his  post,  and  I  to  my 
collar. 


xl 


Vlll 


ArrEXDix. 


On  the  17th  of  October  the  capitulation  was  carried  into  efiect. 
The  Generals  waited  upon  the  American  General  Gates,  and  the 
troops  surrendered  themselves  prisoners  of  war,  and  laid  down  their- 
arms.  The  time  had  now  come  for  the  good  woman,  who  had  risked 
her  life  to  supply  us  with  water,  to  receive  the  reward  of  her  ser- 
vices. Each  of  us  threw  a  handful  of  money  into  her  apron  ;  and 
she  thus  received  more  tlian  twenty  guineas.  At  such  a  moment  at 
least,  if  at  no  other,  the  heart  easily  overflows  with  gratitude. 


J'  -l 


■  I  i 


When  I  drew  near  the  tents,  a  good-looking  man  advanced  to- 
wards me,  and  helped  the  chihhen  from  the  calash,  and  kissed  and 
caressed  ttiem ;  he  then  offered  me  his  arm,  and  tears  trembled  in 
h'.s  eyes.  "  You  tremble,"  said  he ;  "  do  not  be  alarmed,  I  pray 
you."  "  Sir,"  cried  I,  "a  countenance  so  expressive  of  benevo- 
lence, and  the  kindness  which  you  have  evinced  towards  my  chil- 
dren, are  sufficient  to  dispel  all  apprehension."  He  then  ushered 
me  into  the  tent  of  General  Gates,  whom  I  found  engaged  in  friend- 
ly conversation  with  Generals  Burgoyne  and  Phillips.  General 
Burgoyne  said  to  me :  *'  You  can  now  be  quiet,  and  free  from  all 
apprehension  of  danger."  I  replied  that  I  should  indeed  be  repre- 
hensible  if  I  felt  any  anxiety  when  our  General  felt  none,  and  was 
on  such  friendly  terms  with  General  Gates. 

All  the  Generals  remained  to  dine  with  General  Gates.  The 
gentleman  who  had  received  me  with  so  much  kindness,  came  and 
said  to  me,  "You  may  find  it  embarrassing  to  be  the  only  lady  in 
such  u  large  company  of  gentlemen  ;  will  you  come  with  your  chiU 
dren  to  my  tent,  and  partake  of  a  frugal  dinner,  offered  with  the 
best  will  V  "  By  the  kindness  you  show  to  me,"  returned  1,  "  you 
induce  me  to  believe  that  you  have  a  wife  and  children."  lie  in- 
formed me  that  he  was  General  Schuyler.  He  regaled  me  with 
smoked  tongues,  which  were  excellent,  with  beefsteaks,  potatoes, 
fresh  butter,  and  brtiad.  Never  did  a  dinner  give  so  much  pleasure 
as  this.  I  was  easy,  after  many  months  of  anxiety  ;  and  I  read  the 
same  happy  change  in  those  around  me.  That  my  husband  waa 
out  of  danger,  was  a  still  greater  cause  of  joy.  After  our  dinner, 
General  Schuyler  begged  me  to  pay  him  a  visit  at  his  house  near 
All)any,  where  he  expected  that  General  Burgoyne  would  also  be 
his  guest.  I  sent  to  ask  n»y  husband's  directions,  who  advised  mo 
to  accept  the  invitation.  As  wo  were  two  days'  journey  from  Al- 
bany, and  it  was  now  near  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  ho  wished 
nie  to  endeavor  to  reach,  on  that  day,  a  place  distant  about  three 
hours  ride.     General  Schuyler  carried  his  civilities  so  far  as  to  so- 


IIIIj  11 


jMlkmsMiUl 


imi^Ml 


APPENDIX. 


xHx 


licit  a  well-bred  French  officer  to  accompany  me  on  that  first  part 
of  my  journey. 

T*  V  T*  'r  f*  ^  'P  1*  SfC  3|^ 

On  the  next  day,  we  reached  Albany,  where  we  had  so  often 
wished  ourselves ;  but  we  did  not  enter  that  city,  as  we  hoped 
we  should,  with  a  victorious  army.  The  reception,  however, 
which  we  met  with  from  General  Schuyler,  his  wife  and  daughters, 
was  not  like  the  reception  of  enemies,  but  of  the  most  intimato 
friends.  They  loaded  us  with  kindness  ;  and  they  behaved  in  tlie 
same  manner  towards  General  Burgoyne,  though  he  had  ordered 
their  splendid  establishment  to  be  burnt,  and  without  any  nccessitj' 
as  it  was  said.  But  all  their  actions  proved,  that  at  the  sight  of 
the  misfortunes  of  others  they  quickly  forgot  their  own.  General 
Burgoyne  wat,  'io  i  affected  by  this  generous  deportment,  that 

he  said  to  G  "al  Sl  ler,  "You  are  too  '•'i  to  me,  who  have 
done  you  so  much  injury."  "Such  is  the  fate  of  war,"  replied  he  ; 
"let  us  not  dwell  on  this  subject."  We  remained  three  days  with 
that  excellent  family,  and  they  seemed  to  regret  our  departure. 


The  following  account  of  a  visit  to  the  fiold  of  Saratoga,  on  the 
fiftieth  Anniversary  of  that  battle,  viz:  October  17,  1827,  was 
written  immediately  afterward  for  the  use  of  the  author  of  the  pre- 
sent work.  The  writer,  the  venerable  Samuel  Woodruff,  Esq.  of 
"Windsor,  (Conn.)  it  need  not  be  added,  was  a  participator  in  tho 
battle  :— 


Windsor,  Conn.  Oct.  31,  1827. 

My  Deau  Sir, — 

You  may  remember  when  I  had  the  pleasure  to  dine  with  you 
nt  Now-York,  on  the  14th  inst.  I  had  set  out  on  a  tour  to  Saratoga, 
to  gratify  a  desire  I  felt,  and  which  had  long  been  increasi.ig,  to 
view  the  battle-grounds  at  that  place,  and  tho  spot  on  which  the 
i-oyal  army  under  tho  comuiand  of  General  Burgoyne  siirrondor- 
cd  to  General  Gates  on  the  17th  of  October,  1777. 

I  thought  it  would  add  somothing  to  (he  interest  of  that  view  to 
me,  to  be  there  on  tho  17th,  exactly  half  a  centiuy  after  that  me- 
morablo  event  took  place.  You  will  excuse  mo  for  entering  a  little 
into  the  feelings  of  Uncle  Toby  respecting  Dondermond,  in  tho 
compressed  and  hastily  written  journal  I  kept  of  my  tour,  especially 
as  you  will  take  into  consideration  that  I  had  tho  honor  to  servo 


I 


APPENDIX. 


.'i;.'/ 


ffi  s. 


'I    •  it 


as  a  volunteer  under  General  Gates  part  of  that  campaign,  and  was 
in  the  battle  of  the  7th  of  October. 

I  take  the  liberty  to  inclose  to  you  an  extract  of  that  part  of  my 
journal  which  embraces  the  principal  object  of  my  tour. 

Oct.  17th. — After  a  short  stop  in  Troy,  took  another  stage  for  Sa- 
ratoga ; — at  Lansingburgh,  a  neat  and  handsome  village,  about  three 
miles  from  Troy,  crossed  the  Hudson  on  a  covered  bridge  of  ex- 
cellent workmanship,  over  to  Waterford,  (Old  Half  Moon  Point,) 
another  rich  and  flourishing  village.  Arrived  at  Fish  creek  in  Sa- 
ratoga at  half  past  2  P.  M.  through  a  beautiful,  well-cultivated  in- 
terval of  alluvial  land  on  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson — every  thing 
from  Albany  to  this  place  wears  the  appearance  of  wealth  and 
comfort.  Put  up  at  Mr.  Barker's  tavern.  After  dinner  viewed  the 
ruins  of  the  British  fortifications  and  head-quarters  of  Gen.  Burgoyne. 
He  kept  his  quarters  for  several  days  at  a  house,  now  standing  and 
in  good  repair,  about  a  mile  north  of  Fish  creek,  on  tjje  west  side 
of  the  road,  owned  by  Mr.  Busher,  an  intelligent  farmer  about 
seventy-five  years  of  age.  While  Burgoyne  held  his  head-quai  ters 
at  this  house,  Baron  Reidesel,  of  the  royal  army,  obtained  leave  of 
the  Commander-in-chief  to  place  his  lady  the  Baroness  and  their 
three  small  ciiildren  under  the  same  protection  ; — these  were  also 
accompanied  by  lady  Ackland  and  some  other  ladies,  wives  of 
British  ofiicers.  At  that  time  some  of  the  American  troops  were 
stationed  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Hudson,  opposite  the  house, 
in  fair  view  of  it,  and  within  cannon-shot  distance.  Observ- 
ing  considerable  moving  of  persons  about  the  house,  the  Ameri- 
cans supposed  it  the  rendezvous  of  the  British  ofiicers,  and  com- 
menced a  brisk  cannonade  upon  it.  Several  shot  struck  and  shat* 
tered  the  house.  The  Baroness  with  her  children  fied  into  the 
cellar  for  safety,  and  placed  herself  and  them  at  the  north-east 
corner,  where  they  were  well  protected  by  the  cellar  wall.  A  Bri- 
tish surgeon  by  the  name  of  Jones,  having  his  leg  broken  by  a  can- 
non ball,  was  at  tiiis  time  brought  in,  and  laid  on  the  floor  of  the 
room  which  the  Baroness  and  the  other  ladies  had  just  left.  A 
cannon  ball  entered  the  house  near  the  north-cast  corner  of  the 
room,  a  few  inches  above  the  floor,  and  passing  through,  broke  and 
mangled  the  other  leg  of  the  poor  surgeon.  Soon  after  this  he  ex- 
pired. Mr.  Busher  very  civilly  conducted  mo  into  the  room,  cellar, 
and  other  parts  of  the  ^  ouse,  pointing  out  the  places  where  the  balls 
entered,  &c.  From  hence  I  proceeded  to,  and  viewed  with  very 
great  interest,  the  spot  where  Gen.  Burgoyne,  attended  by  his  staff", 
presented  his  sword  to  (ten.  Gates  ;  also,  the  ground  on  which  the 


s  • 


l4i:ii^.^i':W!iit&5Wili' 


AI»PENDIX. 


li 


was 


arms,  die,  of  the  royal  army  were  stacked  and  piled.  Tliis  memo- 
rable  place  is  situated  on  the  flat,  north  side  of  Fish  creek,  about 
forty  rods  west  of  its  entrance  into  the  Hudson,  and  through  which 
the  Charnplain  canal  now  passes. 

Contiguous  to  this  spot  is  the  N.  W.  angle  of  old  Fort  Hardy,  a 
military  work  thrown  up  and  occupied  by  the  French,  under  Gen. 
Dieskau,  in  the  year  1755.  The  lines  of  intrenchment  embrace, 
as  I  should  judge,  about  fifteen  acres  of  ground.  The  outer  works 
yet  retain  the  appearance  of  a  strong  fortification,  bounded  south 
on  the  north  side  of  Fish  creek,  and  east  on  the  west  bank  of  the 
Hudson.  Human  bones,  fragments  of  fire-arms,  i-words,  balls,  tools, 
implements,  broken  crockery,  &;c.  &c.,  are  frequently  picked  up  on 
this  ground. 

In  excavating  the  earth  for  the  Charnplain  canal,  whicli  passes  a 
few  rods  west  of  this  fort,  such  numbers  of  human  skeletons  were 
found  as  render  it  highly  probable  this  was  the  cemetery  of  the 
French  garrison. 

About  twenty  or  thirty  rods  west  of  the  aqueduct  for  the  canal 
over  Fish  creek,  stood  Gen.  Schuyler's  mills,  which  were  burned  by 
order  of  Gen.  Burgoyne. 

Gen.  Schuyler's  dwelling-house  also,  and  his  other  buildings, 
standing  on  a  beautiful  area  a  little  south-east  of  tiie  mills  on  tlio 
south  side  of  the  creek,  sufiered  the  same  fate.  The  mills  have  been 
rebuilt  and  are  now  in  operation,  at  the  same  place  where  tho 
former  stood.  The  grandson  of  Gen.  Schuyler  now  lives  in  a  house 
erected  on  the  scite  of  the  former  dwelling  of  his  father — a  covered 
briclge  across  the  creek  adjoining  the  mills. 

I  cannot,  in  this  place,  omit  some  short  notices  of  Gen.  P.  Schuy. 
ler.  it  seems  he  was  commander-in-chief  of  the  northern  army 
until  the  latter  part  of  xVugust,  1777,  at  which  time  he  was  super- 
seded by  Gen.  Gates. 

I  remember  at  tliat  time  there  was  some  excitement  in  the  public 
mind,  and  much  dissatisfaction  expressed  on  account  of  that  mea- 
sure ;  and  with  my  limited  means  of  knowledge,  I  have  never  been 
able  to  learn  what  good  reason  induced  his  romoval.  Few  men  in 
our  country  at  that  time  ranked  higher  than  Gen.  Schuyler  in  all  tho 
essential  qualities  of  the  patr>ot,  the  gentleman,  the  soldier,  and  scho- 
lar. True  to  the  cause  ol  .iberty,  he  made  sacrifices  which  few 
were  either  able  or  willing  to  bear.  The  nobility  of  soul  ho  possess, 
cd,  distinguished  him  from  ordinary  men,  and  pointed  him  out  as 
one  deserving  of  public  confidence. 

At  the  surrender  of  tho  royal  army,  he  generously  invited  Gen. 

06 


¥< 


Hi- 


APPENDIX, 


'     t 


>? 


Burgoyne,  his  suite,  and  several  of  the  principal  officers,  with  then 
ladies,  to  his  house  at  Albany  ;  where,  at.  his  own  expense,  he  fed 
and  lodged  them  for  two  or  three  weeks  with  the  kindest  hospitality .- 

This  is  the  man,  who,  a  few  days  before,  had  suffered  immense 
loss  in  his  mills  and  other  buildings  at  Fish  creek,  burned  by  order 
of  the  same  Burgoyne  who  had  now  become  his  guest. 

Respecting  Gen.  Gates,  I  will  only  say,  Jinis  coronet  opus. 

Oct.  18th. — At  7  A.  M.  started  on  foot  to  view  some  other  and 
equally  interesting  places  connected  with  the  campaign  of  1777. 
Three  miles  and  a  half  south  of  Fish  creek,  called  at  the  house  of  a 
Mr.  Smith,  in  which  Gen.  Fraser  died  of  wounds  received  in  the 
battle  of  the  7th  October,  and  near  which  house,  in  one  of  the  Bri- 
tish redoubts,  that  officer  was  buried.  This  house  then  stood  by 
the  road  on  the  west  margin  of  the  intervale,  at  the  foot  of  the 
rising  ground.  A  turnpike  road  having  since  been  constructed, 
running  twenty  or  thirty  rods  east  of  the  old  road,  the  latter  has 
been  discontinued,  and  Mr.  Smith  has  drawn  the  house  and  placed 
it  on  the  west  side  of  the  turnpike. 

Waiving,  for  the  present,  any  farther  notices  of  this  spot,  I  shall 
attempt  a  concise  narrative  of  the  two  hostile  armies  for  a  short 
period  anterior  to  the  great  battle  of  the  7th  of  October. 

The  object  of  the  British  Generc'xl  was  to  penetrate  as  far  as  Al- 
bany, at  which  place,  by  concert,  he  was  to  meet  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
then  with  a  fleet  and  army  lying  at  New-York.  In  the  early  part  of 
September,  Gen.  Burgoyne  had  advanced  with  his  army  from  Fort 
Edward,  and  crossed  the  Fludson  with  his  artillery,  baggage  wag. 
gons,  die,  on  a  bridge  of  boats,  and  intrenched  the  troops  on  .the 
highlands  in  Saratoga.  On  the  19th  of  September  they  left  their 
intrenchmcnts,  and  moved  south  by  a  slow  and  cautious  march  to- 
ward  the  American  camp,  which  was  secured  by  a  line  of  intrench, 
ments  and  redoubts  on  Behmus's  heights,  running  from  west  to  east 
about  half  a  mile  in  length,  terminating  at  the  east  end  on  the  west 
side  of  the  intervale. 

Upon  the  approach  of  the  royal  army,  the  American  forces  sal- 
lied forth  from  their  camp,  and  met  the  British  about  a  mile  north 
of  the  American  lines.  A  severe  conflict  ensued,  and  many  brave 
officers  and  men  fell  on  both  sides.  The  ground  on  which  this  bat. 
tie  was  fought  was  principally  covered  with  standing  wood.  This 
circumstance  somewhat  embarrassed  the  British  troops  in  the  use 
of  their  field  artillery,  and  afforded  some  advantage  to  the  Ameri. 
cans,  particularly  the  riflemen  under  the  command  of  the  brave  Col. 
Morgan,  who  did  great  execution.     Night,  which  has  so  often  and 


irp 


^  4»*4wta«fi!*i^:i»fAikiiiitJfli4lfH 


APPENDIX. 


Hii 


SO  kindly  interposed  to  stop  the  carnage  of  conflicting  hosts,  put  an 
end  to  the  battle.  Neither  party  chiimiid  a  victory.  Tlie  roya 
army  withdrew  in  the  night,  leaving  the  field  and  their  slain,  with 
some  of  their  wounded,  in  possession  of  the  Americans.  The  iosa 
of  kdled  and  wounded,  as  near  as  could  be  ascertained,  was,  on  the 
part  of  the  British,  600;  and  on  that  of  the  Americans,  about  "350. 
The  bravery  and  firmness  of  the  American  forces  displayed  this 
day,  convinced  the  British  officers  of  the  difficulty,  if  not  utter  im- 
p(.ssibility  of  continuing  their  marcii  to  Albany.  The  season  for 
closing  the  campaign  in  that  northern  region  was  advancing — the 
American  army  was  daily  augmenting  by  militia,  volunteers,  and 
the  "  two  months  men,"  as  they  were  then  called.  The  fear  that 
the  two  royal  armies  miglit  efTect  their  junction  at  Albany,  aroused 
the  neighboring  states  of  New  England,  and  drew  from  New  Hamp- 
shire,  Massachusetts,  Connecticut,  and  Vermont,  a  lurge  body  of 
determined  soldiers.  Baum's  defeat  at  Bennington  had  inspired 
them  with  new  hopes  and  invigorated  their  spirits. 

Under  these  circumstances,  inauspicious  to  the  hostile  army,  the 
British  commander-in-chief  summoned  a  council  of  war;  there- 
suit  of  which  was  to  attempt  a  retreat  across  the  Hudson  to  Fort 
Edward.  Gen.  Gates,  apprehending  the  probability  of  this  mea- 
sure, seasonably  detached  a  portion  of  his  force  to  intercept  and  cut 
ofTthe  retreat,  should  that  be  attempted. 

Many  new  and  unexpected  difficulties  now  presented  themselves. 
The  boats  which  had  served  the  British  army  for  a  bridge,  being 
considered  by  them  as  of  no  further  use,  had  been  cut  loose,  and 
most  of  them  floated  down  the  river.  The  construction  of  rafts 
sufficient  for  conveying  over  their  artillery  and  heavy  baggage, 
would  be  attended  with  great  danger  as  well  as  loss  of  time.  The 
bridges  over  the  creeks  had  been  destroyed  ;  great  quantities  of 
trees  had  been  felled  across  the  roads  by  order  of  the  American 
General ;  and  another  thing,  not  of  the  most  trifling  nature.  Fort 
Edward  was  already  in  possession  of  the  Americans.  In  this  per- 
plexing  dilemma  the  royal  army  found  themselves  completely  check' 
mated.  A  retreat,  however,  was  attempted,  but  soon  abandoned. 
Situated  as  they  now  were,  between  two  fires,  every  motion  they 
made  was  fraught  with  danger  and  loss.  They  retired  to  their  old 
entrenched  camp. 

Several  days  elapsed  without  any  very  active  operations  on  either 
side.  This  interval  of  time  was,  however,  improved  by  the  royal 
army  in  preparations  to  make  one  desperate  elTort  to  force  the  line 
of  the  American  camp,  and  cut  their  way  through  on  their  march 


liv 


ATPENDIX. 


MU 


';  I 


to  Albany.  The  Amcricar  army  improved  the  meantime  m 
strengthoninnf  their  outer  works,  arranging  tlicir  forces,  and  phicing 
the  Continentals  on  the  north  side  of  the  intrcnciunents,  where  va- 
liant men  were  expected  ;  thus  preparing  to  defend  every  point  of 
attack  ;  Morgan,  with  his  riflemen,  to  form  the  left  flank  in  the 
woods. 

During  these  iaw  days  of  "dreadful  preparation,"  information 
daily  arrived  in  our  camp,  by  deserters  and  otiierwise,  that  an  at- 
tack  would  soon  be  made  upon  the  line  of  our  intrenchments  at 
Behmus's  heights,  near  the  head-quarters  of  Gen.  Gates. 

The  expected  conflict  awakened  great  anxiety  among  the  Ame- 
rican  troops,  but  abated  notliing  of  that  sterling  intrepidity  and 
firmness  wliich  they  had  uniformly  displayed  in  tlie  hour  of  danger ; 
all  considered  that  the  expected  conflict  would  be  decisive  of  the 
campaign  at  least,  if  not  of  the  war  in  which  we  had  been  so  long 
engaged.  Immense  interests  were  at  stake.  Should  Gen.  Bur- 
goyne  succeed  in  marching  his  army  to  Albany,  Gen.  Clinton,  without 
any  considerable  difticuity,  would  there  join  him  with  another  pow- 
erful E:ighsh  army,  and  a  fleet  sufficient  to  command  the  Hudson 
from  thence  to  New-York.  Should  this  junction  of  force  take 
place,  all  th  ;  states  east  of  the  Hudson  would  be  cut  off*  from  all 
efficient  communication  with  the  western  and  southern  states. 

In  addition  to  this  there  were  other  considerations  of  the  deepest 
concern.  The  war  had  already  been  protracted  to  a  greater  length 
of  time  than  was  expected  on  either  side  at  the  commencement.  The 
resources  of  the  country,  which  were  at  first  but  comparatively  small 
in  respect  to  those  things  necessary  for  war,  began  to  fail ;  the 
term  of  enlistment  of  many  of  the  soldiers  had  expired. 

We  had  no  public  money,  and  no  government  to  guarirntee  the 
payment  of  wages  to  the  officers  and  soldiers,  nor  to  those  who 
furnished  supplies  for  the  troops.  Under  these  discouraging  circum- 
stances it  became  extremely  dilficult  to  raise  recruits  for  the  army. 
During  the  year  1776  and  the  fore  part  of '77,  the  Americans  suffer- 
ed greatly  by  sickness,  and  were  unsuccessful  in  almost  every  ren- 
contre with  the  enemy.  Men's  hearts,  even  the  stoutest,  began  to 
fail.  This  was  indeed  the  most  gloomy  period  of  the  war  of  the 
revolution. 

On  the  7th  of  October,  about  10  o'clock,  A.  M.  the  royal  army 
commenced  their  march,  and  formed  their  line  of  battle  on  our 
left,  near  Behmus's  heights,  with  Gen.  Fraser  at  their  head.  Our 
pickets  were  driven  in  about  one  o'clock  P.  M.  and  were  followed 
by  the  British  troops  on  a  quick  march  to  within   fair  munjict  yliut 


j*«(it.ia*tKJ:^S^;li;^illi4kitlifciiH' 


APPENDIX. 


Iv 


distance  of  the  line  of  our  entrenchments.  At  this  moment  com- 
menced a  tremendous  discharge  of  cannon  and  musketry,  which 
was  returned  with  equal  spirit  by  the  Americans. 

For  thirty  or  forty  minutes  the  struggle  at  the  breastworks  was 
maintained  witli  great  obstinacy.  Several  charges  with  fixed  bayo- 
nets were  made  by  the  English  grenadiers  with  but  little  eflect. 
Great  numbers  fell  on  botii  sides.  The  ardor  of  this  bloody  con- 
flict continued  for  some  time  without  any  apparent  advantage 
gained  by  eitiier  party.  At  length,  however,  the  assailants  began 
to  give  way,  preserving  good  order  in  a  regular  but  slow  retreat — 
loading,  wheeling,  and  tiring,  with  considerable  etfect.  The  Ame- 
ricans followed  up  the  advantage  they  had  gained,  by  a  brisk  and 
well-directed  fire  of  field. pieces  and  musketry.  Col.  Morgan  with 
his  riflemen  hung  upon  the  left  wing  of  the  retreating  enemy,  and 
galled  them  by  a  most  destructive  fire.  Tiie  line  of  battle  now  be- 
came extensive,  and  most  of  the  troops  of  both  armies  were  brought 
into  action.  The  principal  part  of  the  gror  id  on  which  thi.>-  hard 
day's  work  was  done,  is  known  by  the  name  of  •'  Freemaa's  farms." 
It  was  then  covered  by  a  thin  growth  of  pitch-pine  wood  without 
under  brush,  excepting  one  lot  of  about  six  or  eight  acres,  which 
had  been  cleared  and  fenced.  On  this  spot  the  British  grenad li-rs, 
under  tlie  command  of  the  brave  Major  Ackland,  made  a  star'),  ajid 
brought  together  some  of  their  field  artillery ;  this  little  fieul  soon 
became  literally  "the  field  of  blood."  These  grena'-u-s,  the  flower 
of  the  royal  army,  unaccustomed  to  yield  to  any  o|  losi.ig  force  in 
fair  field,  fought  with  that  obstinate  spirit  which  borders  on  madness. 
Ackland  received  a  ball  through  both  legs,  which  rendered  him  unable 
to  walk  or  stand.  This  occurrence  hastened  the  retreat  of  the  grena- 
diers,  leaving  the  ground  thickly  strewed  with  their  dead  and  wounded. 

The  battle  was  continued  by  a  brisk  running  fire  until  dark.  The 
victory  was  complete  ;  leaving  the  Americans  masters  of  the  field. 
Thus  ended  a  battle  of  the  highest  importance  in  its  consequences, 
and  which  added  great  lustre  to  the  American  arms.  I  have  seen 
no  official  account  of  the  numbers  killed  and  wounded ;  but  the  loss 
on  the  part  of  the  British  must  have  be^a  great,  and  that  on  the  part 
of  the  Americans  not  inconsiderable.  '1  'u>  h)S3  of  general  officers  suf- 
fered by  the  royal  army  was  peculiarly  scere.  But  to  return  to 
the  Smith  house.  I  made  known  to  the  Smith  family  the  object  of 
my  calling  upon  them ;  found  (1  vm  polite  and  intelligent,  and 
learned  from  them  many  intrrc  '.tidg  particulars  respecting  the  bat- 
tie  of  the  7th  of  October.  For  several  days  previous  to  that  time 
Gen.  Burgoync  had  made  that  house  his  head-quarters,  accompa- 


Ivi 


APPENDIX. 


M' 


nied  by  several  general  ofTicers  and  their  ladips  among  whom  were 
Gen.  Fraser,  the  Baron  and  Baroness  Reidesel,  and  their  children. 

Tiio  circumstances  attending  tiie  fall  of  this  gallant  office;  have 
presented  a  question  ahout  which  military  men  are  divided  in  opi. 
nion.  The  facts  seem  to  be  agreed,  that  soon  after  the  commence, 
ment  of  the  action,  Gen.  Arnold,  knowing  the  military  character 
and  efficiency  of  Gen.  Fraser,  and  observing  his  motions  in  leading 
and  conducting  the  attack,  said  to  Col.  Mt>rgan,  "  that  officer  upon 
a  grey  horse  is  of  him'j._'lf  a  host,  and  must  he  disposed  of.  Direct 
the  attention  of  some  of  the  shaip-shooters  among  your  riflemen  to 
him."  Morgan,  nodding  his  assent  to  Arnold,  repaired  to  his  rifle- 
men,  and  made  known  to  them  the  hint  given  by  Arnold.  Imme. 
diately  upon  this,  the  crnpptc  of  the  gre}'  horse  was  cut  ofi"  by  a 
rifle  bullet,  and  within  the  m-xt  minute  another  passed  through  the 
horse's  mane,  a  little  bark  of  his  ears.  An  aid  of  Fraser  noticing 
this,  observed  to  him,  "  Sir,  it  is  evident  that  you  are  marked  out 
for  particular  aim  ;  would  it  not  be  prudent  for  you  to  retire  from 
this  place?"  Fraser  replied,  "my  duty  forbids  me  to  fly  from  dan- 
ger ;"  and  immediately  received  a  bullet  through  his  body.  A  few 
grenadiers  were  detached  to  carry  him  to  tiie  Siiiitli  house. 

Having  introduced  the  name  of  Arnold,  it  may  be  proper  to  note 
here,  that  although  he  had  no  regular  conunand  that  day,  ho  volun- 
teered  his  service,  was  early  rn  tiie  ground,  and  in  the  hottest  part 
of  the  struggle  at  tlie  redoubts,  lie  behaved,  (as  I  then  thought,) 
more  like  a  madman  than  a  cool  and  discreet  olficer.  IMnuntcd  on 
n  brown  horse,  he  moved  incessantly  at  a  full  gallop  back  and  forth, 
until  lie  received  a  wound  in  his  leg,  and  his  horse  was  shot  under 
him.  I  happened  to  be  near  him  when  he  fell,  and  assisted  in  gel- 
ting  him  into  a  litter  to  be  carried  to  head-quarters. 

Late  in  the  evening  Gen.  Hiirgoyno  came  in,  and  a  tender  sceno 
took  place  between  him  and  Fraser.  (Jen.  Fraser  was  the  idol  of 
the  British  army,  and  the  oflieer  on  whom,  of  all  iithers,  Burgoyne 
placed  the  greatt'st  reliance,  lie  liingiiishrd  through  the  night,  and 
expirrd  at  8  o'clock  the  next  morning.  Whih*  on  his  death-bed  ho 
(idvised  Burgoyne,  without  delay,  to  propose  to  (Jen.  (Jatt's  terms 
of  capitidatiim,  and  prt'vent  the  furtiier  ellusion  of  blood  ;  that  the 
fiiluation  of  his  army  was  now  liopfless  ;  tliey  could  neither  advance 
nor  retreat.  IIi'  also  recpiested  that  he  might  be  buried  in  t\u> grmt 
rrdouhl — his  body  to  bo  borne  thither  between  sunset  and  dark,  by 
n  body  of  the  grenadiers,  with.»ut  |)urade  or  ceremony.  This  ro. 
quest  was  strictly  complied  with. 

After  viewing   the  hou«'^  to  my  satisfaction,  I  walked  up  to  the 


-  V#^ls'\;l,Mf-i;t'N;'^^)-WyiS*Ul  it«i ' ' 


APPEND  IX. 


Ivii 


place  of  interment.  It  is  situated  on  an  elevated  piece  of  ground, 
commanding  an  extensive  view  of  tlie  Hudson,  and  a  great  length 
of  the  beautiful  interval  on  eacli  side  of  it.  I  was  alone ;  tho 
weather  was  calm  and  serene.  Ilellections  were  aw;ikonoil  in  my 
mind  which  I  am  wholly  unable  to  describe.  Instead  of  the  bustle 
and  hum  of  the  camp,  and  confused  noise  of  tho  battle  of  tho  war- 
rior, and  the  shouts  of  victory  wliich  I  here  witnessed  fifty  yeara 
ago,  all  was  now  silent  as  the  abodes  of  the  dead.  And  indeed  far, 
far  the  greatest  part  of  both  those  armies  who  were  then  in  active  life 
at  and  near  this  spot,  are  now  mouldering  in  their  graves,  like  that 
valiant  olTicor  whose  remains  are  under  my  feet, — "tiieir  memories 
and  their  names  lost," — while  Cod,  in  his  mercifid  Providence,  haa 
preserved  my  life,  and  after  the  lapse  of  half  a  century  has  aflordcd 
me  an  opportunity  of  once  more  viewing  those  places  which  forro 
upon  my  mind  many  interesting  recollections  of  my  youthful  days. 
Oct.  rJ:h. — On  my  return  down  the  river  from  Albany  to  New. 
York,  in  tho  steamboat  "North  America,"  I  had  Icisiire  and  oppor- 
tunity  for  reflecting  upon  the  immense  we  ilth  and  n'so\u*ces  of  tho 
state  of  New-York — greater  I  believe,  at  this  lime  than  tliat  of  any 
other  two  states  in  the  Union.  It  would  bo  hazarding  nothing  to 
say,  that  this  single  state  possesses  more  physical  power,  and  more 
of  the  "sinews  of  war,"  than  wore  employed  by  tho  whole  thirteen 
states  through  the  war  of  the  revolution.  This,  among  other  con. 
sidcrations,  led  me  to  the;  icflection  how  honoral)lo  it  would  be  to 
tho  state,  and  how  deserving  of  the  occasion,  that  a  monument  bo 
erected  at  or  near  tho  place  whero  the  royal  arn)y  surrendered  by 
capitulation  on  tho  17th  of  October,  1777,  in  comm-m  )rafior?  of  an 
event  so  important  in  our  national  history.  The  battle  of  the  7th 
of  October  may  be  consideretl,  in  its  ellects  and  consecpicnecs,  as  tho 
termination  of  tho  war,  with  as  much  propriety  us  that  of  Hunker's 
Ilill  was  thu  commencement  of  it. 

I  am,  Sir, 


Very  respectfidly  yourx, 

SAMUEL  wood;iuff 


William  L.  Stone,  Esq. 


NOTES  TO  THE  FOURTH  EDITION. 


Hvl 


i    "'I 


STORY  OF  HEINniCH  STARING. 

[Among  the  bravo  German  natives  of  the  Mohawk  Valley,  who 
distinguished  themselves  in  the  border  conflicts  of  the  revolution,  wfis 
Colonel  Heinrich  Staring.  His  residence  was  on  the  remote,  or 
Western  verge,  of  the  settlement  of  (ierman  Flatts,  al)out  midway 
between  Fort  Dayton  and  the  Fort  Schuyler  of  the  French  war,  now 
the  site  of  Utica.  At  the  commencement  of  the  war,  Mr.  Staring  was 
an  officer  of  the  militia,  and  in  the  autmnn  of  1778  was  nuule  a  cap- 
tive by  an  Indian  scout,  hanging  upon  the  skirts  of  the;  setd(>mcnt. 
The  adventures  of  his  captivity  being  full  ctf  peril,  the  author  made 
several  efibrts  to  ol)tain  a  narrative  of  the  circumstances  while  the 
present  work  was  in  preparation  for  the  press,  but  without  success. 
Since  thj  publication  of  the  third  edition,  howt>ver,  the;  writer  has 
been  favored  with  copies  of  a  couple  of  Lectures,  containing  notices 
of  men  and  events  connected  with  the  early  history  of  a  |)ortion  of 
the  Mohawk  country,  delivered  before  a  learned  society  in  the  city  of 
Utica  by  William  tJ.  Tracy,  Esq.,  I'rom  which  the  following  account 
of  Mr.  Staring's  life  and  adveiitines  is  extracted:] — 

''  liittle  is  known  of  the  early  history  of  Heinrich  Staring.  At  the 
ronnnencement  of  the  llevolutionary  War  we  lind  him  a  militia  ofli- 
c:cr,  and  regarded  by  the  royal  party  as  a  most  important  and  influen- 
tial personage  in  his  neighborhood.  He  was  present  at  the  battle  of 
Oriskany,  and  front  Uiat  period  held  the  oflice  of  colonel  of  the  'I'ryon 
county  militia  during  the  remaind(>r  of  the  war.  Possessing  great 
shrewdness,  strong  common-sense,  ami  unflinching  intrepidity,  ho 
enjoyed  the  unlimited  confidence  of  the  (icrnian  and  Dutch  settlers 
on  the  Mohawk,  and  became  a  prominent  ol)ject  for  seizure  bv  the 
enemy.  A  great  nundx-r  of  anecdotes,  illustrative  nfflie  extraordinary 
means  that  were  used  by  the  enemy  be  had  to  deal  s^  itii  to  procure  bis 
person  or  destroy  hiui,  might  be  relafeil.  My  plan  for  this  evening, 
however,  will  |»ermit  me  to  give  y(»u  but  a  siiighi  on(».  The  story 
was  told  my  im  luianl  from  the  lips  of  the  old  miin  severid  y<<nrs  aller 
the  war.  The  event  took  place  some  time  htte  in  November,  and 
about  the  year  177H  or  1779.  He  had,  for  some  |)urpos(',  gone  int(»  the 
woods  at  some  distance  from  his  homo,  and  while  there,  by  chance, 
came  Muddenly  upon  a  party  of  hostile  Indians,  who  were  prowling 


.>^lite!iMU.>id-^i4>tiii4Si;Ji!i 


APPENDIX. 


hx 


At  tho 

ilia  ofli- 
infliioii- 
Hiltlo  of 
•  1  ryou 
I,'  grout 
lity,  ho 
si'tflcr.s 
■  l»y  tho 
idiiimy 
•iiro  Ills 


ii^out  the  settlement.   Before  he  became  fully  ftware  of  thoir  presence, 
he  had  got  so  completely  in  their  power,  thut  ili<^ht  or  rcsistaiuo  wore 
out   of  the  question.     He  was  seized  with  every  ilemoiistnitiou  of 
hellish  delight,  and  rapidly  hurried  away  in  a  eontnuy  direction  Iroin 
his  home,  and  southward  of  the  31ohawk,  until  his  eajitors  supposed 
themselves  out  of  the  reach  of  pursuit,  when  they  dint  ted  iluir  manli 
westward,  and  at  night  reacheil  a  small  uninhahited  wigwam  at  a  liitio 
more  than   a  (piarter   of  a  mile  from  the  right  l)auk  of  the  Oriskany 
Creek,  above  Clinton,  in    what  is  now  called   Bioilicitowu.     'J'his 
wigwam  consisted  of  two  ro<jms,  separated  from  each  other  by  a  par- 
tition of  logs.     Into  the  larger  of  these  there  opened  an  outside  door, 
which  furnished  the  only  entrance  to  tho  house.     Another  door  idiu- 
nninicated  from  tho  larger  to  the  smaller  room.     The  latter  had  one 
window,  a  small  square  hole  of  less  than  a  foot  high  bv  about  two  ftcl 
wide,  placed  nearly  six  feet  above  the  lloor.     The  whole  structure  was 
of  logs,  substantially  built.      The  Indians  e.xauiiucd  the  smaller  room, 
and  concluded  that  l)y  securely  fastening  their  prisoner  hand  and  fooi, 
they    could    sal'ely    keep  him  \\\v\v  until  morning.     They  therefore 
bound  his  hands  behind  him  with  withes,  and  tiien  I'astencd  bis  antics 
togetht'i'  in  the  same  manner,  iiutl  laitl  l.im,  thus  bound,  in  the  small 
rt)om,  while  they  built  a  lire   in  the  larger  one,  and  connneiiceil  a 
consultation   concerning    tht^    tlispositit)n  oi"  him.     Staring,    though 
unabl,'  to  .speak  t!ie  Inilian  language,  was  sullicieiitly  acquainted  witu 
it  to   understanti   (heir  ileliberations,  aiul  he  lay  listening  intently  to 
(heir  conversation.     The  whole  party  were  nnaninmus  in  the  dtcision 
tluit  ho  nmst  bo  put  to  death,  but  the  manner  ttf  doing  this  in  the  way 
best  calculated  to  make  Hie  white  warriia-  cry  like  a  cowanlly  sipiaw, 
was  a  tpiestion  of  high  im|)ortaiu-e,  and  luie  which  it  rc(|uireil  a  ^ood 
deal  of  deliberatitm  to  settle  satisfat  turily  to  all  his  captors.     At  length, 
ht)wever,  it  was  agreed  (hat  he  shoukl  bt;  burned  alive  tni  tlm  follow- 
ing morning,  and  preparatimis  wt're  accordingly  nnuk'  for  the  tlia- 
bolicul  sports  of  a  savagt!  auto  da  fe.      During  the  deliberation,  the 
horrible  lii(«^  that  await»>(l  him  suggested  to  Colonel  Stariny  the  (jues- 
titm  of  tht!  possibility  of  an  escape.      As  he  lay  on  the  gnmnd  in   the 
wigwam,  he  coidd  see  the  window   I  have  spoken  oi",  and  be  tleter- 
mined    to  uiake  an  effort  to  release  himself  frttin  th(>  withes  which 
bouml  him,  ami  entleavtir  to  iH'cct  a  passage  throui;h  it  without  alarm- 
ing his  savage  keepers.      Ilefore  (hey  had  sunk  to  rt>l,  be  biid  so  jul" 
Huceeetk'd  as  to  release  oin-  ol'bis  hands  from  its  liisteninus  sidfn  iently 
to  enable  him  to  slip  IiIm  wrist  l'rt)m  it.     On  limling  that  he  eoultl  do 
tills,  he  feigiU3d  sle(>p  ;  and  when  (he  Indians  cume  in  (<>  e.vamimi  and 
tw  ii'  all  wna  Mufu,  tliey  retired,  exulting  with  a  lit;nd-liku  HUcer,  thul 


Ix 


Ari'ENDIX. 


n^ 


M'ti 


fi    ''i 


their  victim  was  sleeping  his  last  sleep.  They  then  all  laid  down  on 
the  ground  iu  the  larger  room,  to  go  to  sleep.  Staring  waited  until 
ail  had  lor  a  long  time  become  (luict,  when,  slipping  his  hands  from 
his  withos,  he  was  enabled  silently  to  release  his  ancles,  and  by  clhnb- 
ing  up  the  side  of  the  house  by  the  aid  of  the  logs,  to  escape  from  the 
window  witliout  creating  an  alarm.  In  the  attempt,  and  while  releas- 
ing his  ancles  from  the  withes,  he  had  necessarily  taken  off  his  shoes, 
and  had  forgotten  to  secure  them  with  him.  He  was  now  outside  of 
the  wigwam,  barefoot,  at  a  distance  of  five  and  twenty  miles  from  his 
home,  witho\it  a  guide  or  a  path,  hungry,  and  in  a  frosty  night  in 
November,  and  with  a  band  of  enemies  seeking  his  heart's  blood 
lying  ready  to  spring  upon  him.  liut  he  was  once  more  free  from 
their  clenih,  and  this  one  thought  was  nerve,  and  strcngtli,  and  food 
— was  all  he  needed  to  call  into  action  his  every  power.  lie  stole 
Avith  cautious  silence  from  the  wigwam,  directing  his  course  toward 
tne  creek,  and  increasing  his  gait  as  he  lefl  his  captors  and  got 
beyond  the  danger  of  alarming  them.  He  had  got  about  halfway  to 
the  creek,  and  had  begun  to  Hatter  himself  that  his  whole  escape  was 
accomplished,  when  he  heard  a  shout  from  the  wigwam,  and  im- 
mediately the  bark  of  the  Indian  dogs  in  pursuit.  He  then  plunged 
on  at  the  top  of  his  speed,  and  knowing  lluit,  while  on  the  land,  the 
dogs  would  follow  on  his  track,  in  order  to  bailie  their  pursuit,  as  soon 
as  he  reached  the  creek,  he  jmnped  in,  and  ran  down  stream  in  the 
chann>  I.  For  some  time  he  heard  the  shouts  of  his  late  masters,  and 
the  baying  of  their  hounds  in  the  pursuit ;  and  nowUiathehad  reached 
the  water  where  their  tlogs  could  imt  track  him,  he  laughed  outright 
as  he  ran,  in  thinking  of  tin;  disapiointment  they  would  feel  when 
they  arrived  at  the;  baid\.  The  fear  of  the  liiggot  and  all  its  accom- 
jmiiyinii  tortures,  lurnish((l  a  stinnilus  to  every  nniscle,  and  he  urged 
on  his  Might  until  he  heard  no  more  of  his  enemies,  and  became 
sntisiied  that  they  had  given  up  their  pursuit.  Ho  deenu'd  it  prudent, 
however,  to  ((uitinut' his  course  in  the  bed  of  the  (;reek  until  he  should 
reach  a  patli  whii  h  led  from  Oneida  to  old  Fort  Schuyler — a  mud  fort, 

and 


ar, 


Ituilt  on  the  present  site  ol"  this  eity  during  the  FrtMich  w 
whit'h  was  situated  Iu  tween  jMain-strcel  and  iht;  banks  of  the  river,  u 
little  castwartl  of  Second-str«'et.  The  path  crossed  the  Oriskany  about 
half  a  mile  westward  of  where  the  village  of  Clinton  now  stands.  Ho 
then  took  his  path,  and  pursued  his  rourse.  I  Imve  m«>ntion<Ml  that,  in 
haste  to  esca|)e,  he  forgot  his  sIkxw.  lie  had  on  apair  of  wool  stoi  k- 
ings,  but  <m  running  on  the  gravel  in  the  creek,  they  soon  became 
worn  out,  and  the  sharp  pel)bl(<s  cut  his  feet.  In  this  dillicuity  hu 
bethought  him  of  a  substitute  for  shoes  in  the  coat  he  wore,  which, 


f  \: 


'x^'lteJ*Jij4ki.i:.^iMhikilil iMi i:i  I.  i  I ' 


APPENDIX. 


hi 


fortunatdy,  was  iiui<le  of  thick,  lieavy  seri^o.  TTp  cut  ofT  ihc  fili^ovcs  of 
this  at  his  elbows,  and  drew  them  ii|Km  his  fcpt,  and  thus  protected 
them  from  injury.  IJiit  he  used  to  say  he  soon  found  this  was  robbing 
Peter  to  pay  Paul ;  for,  in  the  severity  of  tlie  niid»t,  his  arms  became 
chilled  and  almost  frozen.  He  reached  the  huulinij;  at  this  place  just 
in  the  gray  dawn  of  the  morninir,  and  cautiously  reconnoitering,  in 
order  to  ascertain  whether  any  one  was  in  the  fort,  wliich  was  fre- 
quently used  as  a  ramp  ground,  ht;  satisfii^d  himself  thiit  no  one  was 
in  the  neighi)orho()d.  In  doing  this,  he  fortunately  discovered  a  canoe 
which  had  floated  down  the  stream  and  lodged  in  th(!  willows  which 
grew  on  the  edge  of  the  bank.  lie.  instantly  took  possession  of  it, 
and  by  a  vigorous  use  of  th<!  paddb^s,  with  the  aid  of  tlie  current, 
succeeded  in  reaching  his  home  with  his  little  bark  in  the  middle  of 
the  forenoon.* 

"In  my  former  lecture,  I  mentioned  the  fact  that  the  whole  of  the 
State  westward  of  a  line  drawn  ihrouifh  the  western  boundary  of 
Schenectady  county,  previous  to  and  during  the  revolutionary  war, 
constituted  the  county  of  Tryon,  b(;ing  named  in  lnuior  of  (iovernor 
Tryoii,  the  last  cobuiial  (Joveriu)r  of  Nciw-Vork.  The  name  of  a 
royalist,  however,  snunding  harsh  to  American  ears,  iiiuuediately 
after  the  war,  th«!  legislature,  by  an  nri  passed  in  April,  1784, 
chang<!d  its  name  to  Montgomery,  in  honor  of  the  memory  of  (Jen. 
Richard  Montgomery,  who  fell  in  the  attack  (Ui  Quebec.  The  county 
continued  to  retain  all  its  territory  until,  in  17Hi),  when  the  emigration 
from  the  older  parts  of  the  country  had  so  increased  tht^  population 
in  the  western  portion  of  the  State,  that  the  county  of  Ontario  wtts 
€re*'ted,  comprehending  all  the  territory  lying  west  of  a  lino  drawn 
from  th(!  south-east  corner  of  the  present  county  of  Senecu  nortliwnrd 
to  the  Lake  Ontario. 

"On  the  IGth  of  February,  1791,  tl>e  comity  of  Montgomery  was 
still  further  divided,  and  the  counties  of  Tioga,  Otsego  and  Herkimer 
formed;  the  county  of  Herkim<M',  comprising  all  the  territory  ly in j5 
between  the  present  counties  of  Montgouu'iy  and  Oswego  on  the  oast, 
ond  the  Cayuga  I^ukc  on  the  west,  ami  boumU'd  northerly  and  soiith- 

♦  In  a  verbal  rciiitioii  once;  given  to  tlm  nutlior,  (if  liiin  fHciipe  of  Oolond  Staring, 
by  llio  luto  Hon.  Iltnry  U,  SiDrrs,  who  wiis  m  i|iiiiitit(  il  with  liiiii,  it  was  Hinted  timt 
during  the  (^)Ioiul's  fhght  lir  won  (inrn  compelled  to  take  tn  a  tree,  co  clone  W(  re 
hia  pursuers  upon  him.  Thn  tree  wliicli  ho  cliinlied  wan  a  licnilock,  the  tliick 
fuUago  of  which  elleclimlly  concealed  Imh  pcfHon.  The  ImiiaiiM  came  in  niimhtirH 
past  the  tree;  hut  although  their  docs  hud  lout  the  ucrni  of  \m  truck,  they  aus- 
upcctcd  not  thu  place  of  his  coiicealimiil.  It  was  after  his  departure,  having  ajipa- 
ronlly  relinquishod  the  pursuit,  llmt  the  Colonel  desccndwl,  ond  look  to  the  channel 
of  Uic  brook.  W.  L.  S. 


]xii 


APPENDIX. 


erly  by  the  north  and  south  boundaries  of  the  State.  By  the  act 
erecting  tlie  county,  it  was  provided  that  a  court  of  common  pleas  and 
general  sessions  should  be  held  in  the  county  twice  in  each  year,  and 
at  the  Church  in  Herkimer,  until  other  legislative  provisions  should 
be  made  concerning  the  matter.  Another  provision  of  this  act  seema, 
to  the  observer  of  tht;  present  day,  very  remarkable,  and  shows,  as 
strikingly  as  any  other  tact,  the  rapidity  vith  whi(;h  our  country  has 
sprung  iVom  its  first  beginnings  to  its  present  condition.  It  was  en- 
acted, that  it  should  not  be  the  duty  of  the  Justices  of  the  Supreme 
Court  to  hold  a  Circuit  Court  once  in  each  year,  in  either  of  the  three 
now  counties  then  formed,  unless  in  their  jiulgment  they  should 
deem  it  |)r<tper  and  necessary.  No  court  in  a  territory  now  constitu- 
ting the  greater  portion  of  foiu'  judicial  circuits,  and  furnishing  suffi- 
cient business  for  sixty  circuit  courts  in  each  year,  besides  nearly  one 
hundred  and  twenty  terms  of  courts  of  conmion  pleas,  and  sixteen  of 
♦he  coint  ot'  chancery  ! 

''In  organizing  (he  court  of  common  pleas  for  Herkimer  county^ 
Colonel  Staring  was  appointed  its  Hrst  Judge.  It  is  not  supposed, 
nor  pn.'fended,  that  any  peculiar  ([ualiticafions  or  fitness  for  the  office 
reconnnendcd  him  for  the  appointmrnt.  His  honest  and  strong,  but 
uncultivated  mind,  had  never  been  schooled  to  threading  the  mazes  of 
legal  science  ;  and,  indeed,  he  had  enjoyed  few  of  even  the  most  com- 
m<»n  advantages  of  education.  lJ<it  he  possessed  the  confidence  of 
his  lellow-citi/ens  for  his  sterling  integrity,  strong  common  sense, 
and  tried  jiiid  approved  patriotism  ;  and  these  qualifications  were 
regarded  Itv  (leorge  ('linton,  then  trovernor  of  the  State,  as  sufficient 
to  warrant  his  appointment  to  the  office;  ami  in  forming  our  opinion 
of  the  appointment,  we  should  take  into  consideration  the  fact,  that  at 
that  period  in  tlie  history  of  this  State  there  was  scarcely  to  be  found 
rt  court  of  common  pleas  which  could  boast  a  Inwyer  in  its  catalogue 
of  judges.  The  judges  of  thesi;  (ribuinds  were,  almost  without  excep- 
tion, taken  from  tht(  respectable  farmers  and  mechanics  of  the  land, 
aiul  were  men  who  made  no  pretensions  to  a  knowleilge  of  the  artifi- 
cial rules  which  go  to  make  up  what  \v(\  prol'essi(tnal  gentlemen  are 
wont  to  cull  the  perfection  of  reascui  ;  but  who  decided  the  question 
coming  iiefore  them  by  the  plain  principles  of  common  sense,  and 
their  own  views  (»f  right  and  wrong.  And  it  is  no  disparagement  to 
(he  liiir  liuiH'  ot"  the  courts  of  common  pleas  of  thnt  day  to  assert,  that 
(lijit  in  whiih  Judge  Staring  presidc'il  w.is  in  no  respect  inferior 
to  its  sister  tril)unnls.  And  i  have  the  authority  of  a  lawyer  once 
holding  a  distinguished  rank  at  the  bar  of  this  State,  and  whoso  par- 
tialities, all  who  remember  him  will  bear  me  witness,  betrayed,  at  lca9t, 


^  4*4itfc^ARtt:ifei:i:ii«^UiMM:; 


APPENDIX. 


Ixiii 


no  especial  leaning  to  the  Dutcii,  I  mean  the  late  Erastns  Clark,  in 
the  opinion,  that  for  strength  of  ininti,  correctness  of  judgment,  and 
unflinchiiig  integrity,  he  never  knew  a  man  who,  with  so  limited  an 
education,  in  the  station  which  he  held,  could  have  been  regarded  his 
superior.  A  great  many  anecdotes,  illustrative  of  his  simplicity  of 
character,  are  related.  I  will  merely  revert  to  one  well  know  n  io  many 
of  my  hearers.  Under  the  insolvent  laws  of  the  day,  a  duljtor  could 
make  an  ap|)lication  to  a  judge  of  the  county  courts  tor  a  dlseharge 
from  his  debts  upon  making  an  assignment  of  all  his  property.  One 
day  an  unfortunate  debtor  applied  to  him  to  obtain  the  relief  afforded 
by  the  statute,  and  having  prepared  and  didy  executed  his  assignment, 
waited  the  signature  of  tlit;  judge  to  perfect  his  discharge.  ^Vell,  said 
he,  have  you  got  all  things  ready.  \es,  replied  the  debtor;  every 
thing  is  prepared — all  you  have  to  do  is  to  sign  my  discharge.  Very 
well,  said  the  judge,  have  you  paid  all  yc  .  debts  ?  O  no,  said  the 
debtor;  if  I  had  1  should  not  apply  for  the  benefit  of  the  statute.  Jiut, 
replied  the  judge,  I  can't  sign  the  paper  till  you  have  paid  all  your 
debts  :  you  must  pay  your  debts  first.  Upon  this  point  he  was  inex- 
orable, and  the  applicant  was  forced  to  seek  elsewhere  the  relief  he 
desired. 

"On  die  19th  of  January,  1 793,  an  act  was  jtassed  autlKuisiuii  every 
(dternafe  term  of  the  court  of  connuon  pleas  of"  Herkimer  county  to 
be  held  at  such  place  in  Whitestowu,  as  should  by  the  comts  be 
directed  by  orders  to  be  entered  in  the  minutes.  The  first  court  held 
in  this  county  under  this  |)rovisiou  was  held  in  a  barn  in  New- Hart- 
ford, belonging  tn  the  late.liidge  Sanger,  (New  llartli»rd  then  form- 
ing a  part  of'  the  town  of  Whitestowu,)  in  the  month  of'  October,  in 
the  year   1793,  .Indgc;   Staring   presiding,  and   the  late  Judge;  IMatt, 


th 


en  clerk  of  the  countv  oi"  Oneida,  ofliciiitinj:  as  elerl 


The  sheriff 


of  Herkimer  cnunty  at  that  day  was  a  C'oloiul  ('oli)railh — an  Irish- 
man, who,  in  thi'  war,  had  done  some  service  to  his  adoptc-d  country, 
aud  had  acquired  his  title  as  a  militia  oflicer  .since  the  peace.  His 
education  had  not  been  conducted  with  especial  ref'ereine  to  tho 
\isages  of  what  is  technicidiv  cidled  good  society  ;   and,  indeed,  his 


la- 


manners  bore  uneipiivocid  i-vidence  tliiit  they  originated  from  a  i 
tive  mine  of  gemiim;  good  iuimor  and  a  most  capacious  soul,  rather 
than  fntm  the  arbitrary  rides  of  a  professor  of  polite  breeding.  A 
gentleman  who  attended  the  court  as  a  spectator,  inf'ormcd  ine  that 
the  day  was  oiu'  of  llie  diunp,  chilly  days  we  l'rc(|uently  h.ive  in  ()cto- 
ber,  and  that  in  the  nt'lernoon,  and  \slien  it  was  nenrly  night,  in  order 
to  comfort  themselves  in  their  by  no  means  very  well-appointed 
court  room,  and  to  keep  their  vital  blooil  at  a  tempeiuture  ut  which  It 


,  y 


Ixiv 


APPENDIX. 


life   n 


would  continue  to  circulate,  some  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  bar  had  in- 
duced the  sheriff  to  procure,  from  a  neighboring  inn,  a  jug  of  spirits. 
This,  it  must  be  remembered,  was  before  the  invention  of  temperance 
societies,  and  we  may  not,  therefore,  pass  too  hasty  an  opinion  upon 
the  propriety  of  the  measure.  Upon  the  jug  appearing  in  couil,  it  was 
passed  around  the  bar  table,  and  each  of  the  learned  counsellors  in 
his  turn  upraised  the  elegant  vessel  and  decanted  into  his  mouth,  by 
the  simplest  process  imaginable,  so  much  as  he  deemed  a  sufficient 
dose  of  the  delicious  fluid.  While  the  operation  was  going  on,  the 
dignitaries  on  the  bench,  who  were,  no  doubt,  suffering  quite  as  much 
from  the  chilliness  of  the  weather  as  their  brethren  of  the  bar,  had  a 
little  consultation,  when  the  first  Judge  announced  to  the  "-dience 
that  the  court  saw  no  reason  why  they  should  continue  to  i.  J  open 
there  any  longer  and  freeze  to  death,  and  desired  the  crier  forthwith 
to  adjourn  the  court.  Before,  however,  this  functionary  could  com- 
mence with  a  single — "  Hear  ye,"  Colonel  Colbraith  jumped  up, 
catching,  as  he  rose,  the  jug  from  the  lawyer  who  was  complimenting 
its  contents,  and  holding  it  up  towards  the  bench,  hastily  ejaculated — 
"  Oh  no,  no,  no.  Judge —  don't  adjourn  yet — take  a  little  gin,  Judge 
— that  will  keep  you  warm — 'tant  time  to  adjourn  yet ;"  and  suiting 
the  action  to  the  word,  he  handed  His  Honor  the  jug.  It  appeared 
that  there  was  force  in  the  Sheriff's  advice  ;  for  the  order  to  adjourn 
was  revoked,  and  the  business  went  on. 

.  Judge  Staring  continued  in  office  until  after  the  erection  of  Oneida 
county,  and  finally  resigned  his  office  shortly  after  that  event.  His 
death  took  place  alter  the  year  1800,  but  at  what  precise  period  I  have 
been  unable  to  learn."     Tmcj/'s  Leclure. 

Judge  Staring  died  in  1810,  a  few  months  before  the  author  conv- 
menced  his  residence  in  that  portion  of  the  Mohawk  Valley,  and 
many  were  the  amusing  anecdotes  in  those  days  related  of  him. 
One  of  these  was  the  story,  now  familiar  to  every  body,  of  the  cele- 
brated "Yankee  Pass."  WTiile  in  the  commission  of  the  peace,  the 
Judge  was  old-fashioned  enough  to  think  that  the  laws  ought  not  to 
remain  a  dead  \vU('r  upon  the  statute-book  ;  and,  being  a  good  Chris- 
tian, he  was  zealous  in  preventing  a  violation  of  the  Sabbath.  It 
happened  that  of  a  Sunday  morning  the  Judge  saw  a  man,  in  the  garb 
of  a  traveller,  wending  his  way  from  the  direction  of  the  Genesee 
country  toward  "  the  land  of  steady  habits."  The  way-farer  was  indeed 
tt  member  of  the  universal  Yankee  nation,  and  one  of  the  shrewdest  of 
his  cast,  as  will  bo  seen  in  the  sequel.  The  Judge  promptly  called 
him  to  an  account  for  breaking  the  Sabbath,  and  summarily  imposed 
the  penalty  of  the  law — Bcventy-five  cents.     The  Yankee  pleaded  the 


■,fJ#tefMi:M 


APPENDIX. 


Ixv 


Urgency  of  his  business ;  and  suggested  that,  as  he  had  paid  the  penalty, 
he  had  an  unquestionable  right  to  travel  duringthe  remainder  of  tlie  day. 
The  magistrate  saw  nothing  unreasonable  in  the  request,  and  assented 
to  the  compromise.  Jonathan  then  suggested,  that,  to  avoid  any  far- 
ther difficulty  in  the  premises,  the  Judge  ought  to  supply  him  with  a 
receipt  for  the  money,  and  a  passport  as  the  consideration.  This 
request  likewise  appeared  tci  be  no  more  than  reasonable,  and  was 
granted  by  the  worthy  magistrate,  who,  not  being  able  to  write  himself, 
requested  the  stranger  to  prepare  the  document  for  his  signature,  by 
the  honest  sign  of  the  X-  Nothing  Ifcath,  Jonathan  took  the  pen  in 
hand,  and  might  have  written  a  veritable  pass  perhaps,  had  it  not  bee  » 
for  the  sudden  influence  of  an  invisible  agency.  Under  this  influ- 
ence, he  wrote  an  order  upon  Messrs.  James  and  Archibald  Kane,  the 
principal  frontier  merchants  at  Canajoharie,  for  goods  and  money  to 
the  amount  of  twenty  pounds.  The  credit  of  the  Judge  was  the  best, 
and  the  draft  was  honored  at  sight.  Some  months  afterward  the 
Judge  took  his  wheat  to  the  Messrs.  Kanes  for  sale  as  usual,  when, 
to  his  surprise,  a  claim  was  preferred  to  the  aforesaid  amount  of 
twenty  pounds.  The  Judge  protested  that  he  owed  them  not,  having 
paid  every  dollar  at  their  last  annual  settlement.  The  merchants  per- 
sisted, and,  as  evidence  that  could  not  be  gainsayed,  produced  the 
order.  The  moment  die  eyes  of  the  Judge  rested  upon  the  document, 
his  countenance  fell,  as  he  exclaimed,  "Dundcr  and  blixum  !  Itsh  bo 
dat  blagucy  Yankee  Pass!"     This  anecdote  is  believed  to  be  true. 

W.  L.  S. 


JAMES  DEAN,  THE  INDIAN  INTERPRETER. 

[The  name  of  James  Dean  occurs  frequently  in  the  course  of  the 
present  work  as  an  Indian  interpreter.  His  services  were  of  great 
value  in  that  capacity  during  the  war,  and  he  afterward  became  a  dis- 
tinguished citizen  of  the  Oneida  country.  The  events  of  his  life, 
especially  tlio  earlier  part  of  it,  being  closely  interwoven  with  the 
border  history,  the  following  biographical  sketch  will  not  be  deemed 
out  of  place  in  this  connexion.  It  is  taken  from  one  of  the  lectures 
of  Mr.  Tracy,  already  referred  to  in  the  preceding  article  : — ] 

Another  name,  distinguished  in  the  history  of  Oneida  county,  and 
occupying  no  obscure  place  in  the  catalogue  of  American  patriots, 
is  that  of  the  luto  James  Dean.    The  history  of  this  individual,  and 


IxVi 


APPENDIX, 


his  agency  in  many  of  the  events  transpiring  previous  to  and  during 
the  revolutionary  war,  would  form  a  volume  of  dee[)ly  interesting  and 
most  thrilling  incidents.  A  native  of  New  England,  and  the  child 
of  religious  parents,  at  the  early  age  of  eleven  years,  at  tlie  solici* 
tation  of  a  connexion  of  his  father's  family,  who,  as  clcrgymanj 
had  been  engaged  in  the  business  of  Indian  missions,  his  parents, 
like  the  mother  of  Samuel,  devoted  liim  to  the  service  of  the  tem- 
ple, as  a  herald  of  the  Ooss  to  the  sous  of  the  lorest.  In  order  to 
prepai'C  their  child  for  tfie  peculiar  duties  he  would  be  called  upon 
to  perform,  by  the  advice  of  the  relative  I  have  mentioned,  they 
concluded  to  send  him,  even  then  in  his  early  youth,  to  become  ac- 
<  1 1  ited  with  the  Indian  language  and  habits,  and  manners,  and  to 
grow  up  among  and  in  contact  with  those  among  whom  they  in* 
tended  his  life  shouhl  be  spent.  At  this  time  a  branch  of  the  Onei- 
das  resided  at  a  settlement  called  Onnquaga,  situated  on  the  Sus- 
quehanna, and  to  diis  place  young  Dean  was  sent  to  become  a 
denizen  of  the  forest.  A  missionary  occasionally  visited  the  post, 
and  to  him  the  early  education  of  the  subject  of  our  notice,  in  the 
arts  and  letters  of  civilized  lil'e,  was  entrusted,  while  he  was  acjuir- 
ing,  with  every  day's  growth,  th(!  accom|)lishments  which  go  to 
make  up  the  thorough-bred  native^  of  the  wilderness.  Here  he  con- 
tiijued  until  he  arrived  at  a  suitable  age  (o  enter  Dartmouth  College, 
with  which  institution,  very  shortly  after  it  received  its  charter,  ho 
connected  himself.  He  here  com|>leted  his  under-graduato  course 
in  1773,  and  was  graduated  in  the  third  class  whieli  received  its 
honors  at  that  iustitution.  Previous  to  this  gradual i(Ui,  he  accom- 
panied a  friend,  the  Rev.  Sylvanus  Ripley,  atlerwards  the  lirst  pro- 
fessor of  diviuity  of  the  college,  on  a  mission  to  the  Indians 
residing  at  Penobscot  aiul  on  the  Hay  of  Fundy.  In  a  publication 
of  the  (irst  president  WheelocU,  printed  at  Hartford  in  1773,  he  is 
spoken  of  in  the  Ibllowing  manner  : — 

''  3Ir.  Dean  has  now  linished  his  course  of  studies  here,  and 
"upon  linding,  as  I  have  already  mentioned,  that  he  may,  with  little 
"expense,  be  able  to  preach  to  the  Hurons  freely  in  their  own 
"  tongue,  has  determined,  if  (»od  please,  when  he  has  perfected 
"  himself  in  the  French  tongue,  to  enter  on  a  mission,  and  with  a 
♦'  proper  coni|.anion,  preach  as  an  itinerant,  not  only  to  the  Six  Na- 
"  lions,  (with  whom  he  lived  many  years  from  his  youth,)  but  to 
''  llu!  tribes  that  can  understand  him  to  a  thousand  miles,  if  such 
*'  tlu-re  are  at  that  distance." 

Such  were  the  views  uud  intentions  with  which  he  received  hiw 
bachelor's  diploma,  and  he  accordingly  cotnnienced  studies  in  the- 


•■^te^jyi^itMl^illii^ 


APPENDIX. 


Ixvii 


and 
I  littlo 

own 
foctcd 
villi  a 

Na. 

ut  to 

siidi 

hiH 
tliu- 


ology,  and  continued  them  for  several  months,  when  he  was  regu- 
larly licensed  as  a  jireacher  of  the  gospel,  (hough,  owing  to  the  cir- 
cumstances which  afterwards  gave  a  change  to  his  pursuits,  he  never 
was  ordained  to  the  sacred  office. 

It  will  be  recollected,  that  the  jieriod  at  which  I  have  now  arrived 
was  that  of  the  commencement  of  die  troubles  which  preceded  the 
war  of  the  Revolution.  The  odious  duty  upon  tea  was  exciting  in 
America  the  deepest  feeling  of  opposition  to  the  administration  of 
affiirs  in  the  mother  country,  and  resolutions  of  resistance  to  its 
execution,  amounting  to  open  rebellion,  were  publicly  passed  in  the 
popular  assemblies  held  in  every  colony.  The  opposition  to  the 
entrance  of  ships  bearing  cargoes  of  tea  into  New-York,  Phila- 
delphia, and  most  of  the  ports  of  the  colonies,  the  destruction  of  the 
tea  in  Boston  harbor  in  the  winter  of  '73 — '74,  and  tin;  measures  o.' 
the  government  thereupon  in  ilie  passage  of  the  bill  shutting  up  the 
port  of  Boston  as  a  punishment  for  die  insult  to  the  royal  authority  ; 
the  act  of  parliament  altering  the  whole  form  of  government  in 
Massachusetts,  and  authorising  the  removal  of  persons  accused  of 
murder  or  of  any  capital  offence  in  aiding  tlie  enforcement  of  these 
laws  by  tin;  nuvgistracy,  to  the  mother  country  for  trial,  early  in  the 
year  1774,  had  increased  the  feeling  of  excitement  which  pervaded  all 
the  colonies,  and  rendered  universal  the  belief  that  a  crisis  was 
approaching,  in  which  it  would  become  necessary  for  all  die  colonies 
to  defend  their  rights  with  strong  arm.  At  this  period,  when  the  first 
continental  Congress  was  assembling  at  Philadelphia,  and  the  lead- 
ing citizens  of  each  colony  were  endeavoring  to  ascertain  the  sen- 
timents of  all  classes  of  people  relative  to  tin;  contest  that  was  por- 
tending, the  peculiar  talents  and  ([ualilications  which  his  education 
had  aflorded  him,  reconnnended  the  subject  of  our  notice  to  the  con- 
tinental authorities  us  a  suitable  person  to  ascertain  the  feeling  of 
the  Indians  in  New- York  and  Canada,  and  the  part  Un^y  would  pro- 
bably take  in  the  event  of  a  war  with  the  mother  country.  In  order  to 
disguise  the  object  of  his  mi.->i'in.  it  was  arranged  that  he  should  assume 
tlie  business  of  an  Indian  trader,  and  he  was  accordingly  furnished 
with  suth  goods  as  were  then  carried  into  the  Indian  country  by  that 
class  of  persons,  and  with  letters,  bills  of  parcels,  and  other  documents 
frotn  a  well-known  house  at  Boston  at  that  time  engaged  in  the  traffic, 
in  order  to  authenticate  his  assumed  character.  Ihus  prepared,  he 
set  out  upon  an  expedition  to  visit  the  Six  Nations,  and  die  various 
branches  of  the  different  tribes  composing  them,  or  connected  with 
them  living  in  Canada.  In  the  course  of  his  travels  in  I^ower  Canada, 
he  was  arrested  by  the  British  authorities  as  a  spy,  and  carried  to 

67 


bcviii 


APPENDIX. 


m^ 


lif" 


ft      'I 


Quebec;  but  by  a  prudent  and  careful  bearing  ofb'rj-f^lf,  aided  by 
the  papers  which  he  carried,  he  was  discharged,  aa«i  r<  'urnod  home, 
having  succcssliilly  acconii)lishod  tiie  objort  of  his  rrii.  .!;k  A.s  tlie 
trouble  increased  in  the  colonies,  his  services  became  of  great  iniport- 
ance  to  the  country,  in  order  to  conciliate  the  Iiulian  tribes,  and  as 
a  means  of  comniunicatiou  with  them.  An  adopted  son  ol"  the 
Oncidas,  educated  in  their  habits  and  customs,  and  skilled,  moreover, 
in  all  the  white  man's  knowledge,  tlie  nation  regarded  him  with  more 
than  parental  affection ;  and  to  the  regard  which  they  entertained  for 
him  and  their  religious  teacher,  Mr.  Kirkland,  may  be  wholly  attri- 
buted their  friendship  for  the  colonists,  while  most  of  the  other  portions 
of  the  Six  Nations  adhered  to  the  arms  of  vhc  mother  country.  On 
the  final  outbreak  of  hostilities  in  1775,  and  the  assignment  of  the 
command  of  the  north-western  frontier  of  New-York  to  General 
Schuyler,  Mr.  Dean  was  appointed  to  the  otHcc  of  Indian  Agent,  with 
tlie  stafl'rank  of  major  in  the  army,  and  during  the  whole  war  of  the 
revolution  he  continued  his  services  to  the  country  in  that  capacity. 
For  most  of  the  time  his  duties  were  performed  in  the  neighborhood 
of  the  Oneidas.  A  very  considerable  portion  of  the  war  he  was  sta 
tioned  at  Fort  Stanwix,  the  site  of  the  present  village  of  Rome  ;  and 
by  virtue  of  his  office,  superintended  the  intercourse  with  the  Indians, 
and  the  obtaining  of  all  information  through  them.  ]iy  means  of  an 
Indian, scout  in  his  emi)loyment,  known  to  the  early  setUers  of  the 
county,  and  indeed  rememi)ered  by  the  writer  as  Saucy  J\lch-,  he  ob 
tained  information  of  the  vciy  hour  that  the  attack  was  to  be  made 
upon  Cherry  Valley,  previous  to  the  massacre  at  that  ill-fated  settle- 
ment, and  in  sullicient  time  to  have  Colonel  Alden,  the  commander 
of  the  post,  apprised  of  it.  The  intelligence  was  transmitted  to  him 
through  the  commandant  of  the  garrison  at  Fort  Stanwix  ;  but  the 
ill-fated  Alden,  disregarding  the  news,  and  sneering  at  it  as  an  Indian 
humb\ig,  permitted  the  inhabitants  of  the  settlement  pcaccjfuUy,  and 
unalarmed  and  unprotected,  to  retire  to  rest  on  the  night  of  the  attack, 
and  before  the  morning,  paid  with  his  own  life  and  the  lives  of  those 
he  was  placed  to  protect,  the  price  of  his  rash  incredulity. 

The  siege  of  Fort  Stanwix  and  the  battle  of  Oriskany  occurred 
during  an  absence  of  Mr.  Uean  down  tht;  Mohawk.  On  his  return 
with  the  brigade  commanded  by  General  Arnold  intended  for  the 
relief  of  the  garrison,  he  passed  the  battle-ground,  still  strewn  with 
the  corses  of  those  who  had  fallen  in  the  conflict,  blackening  unburied 
where  they  fell.  The  brigade  paused,  and  performed  the  last  sad  office 
to  their  compatriots  ;  and  when  the  earth  had  received  their  remains, 
proceeded  to  its  destination.     The  subject  of  our  notice  subsequently 


i^iltilM^^I^^Mili^Jdi^'  i^l  <  i  i 


APPENDIX. 


I XIX 


was  attached  to  tho  expedition  of  Gen.  Sullivan  in  the  west-  in  prAit  of 
New-York,  and  was  prcscMit  at  the  battle  at  Xcwlnwii — now  Kliniia. 
A  manuscript  journal  and  narrative  ot"  this  e.\[)e<litioii,  prepared  hy 
him  with  preat  care,  was  for  many  years  preserved  l»y  his  laMiily,  luit 
has  unfortunately  been  destroyed.  Thi.>  inturmalion  it  contained 
would  have  been  cxtrenicly  valuable,  and  serve  to  throw  nuich  liiiht 
upon  the  manners  and  condition  of  the  Six  Nations  at  that  pcrind. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  the  Oiieidus  <i;raiited  him  a  tract  of  land  two 
miles  square,  lying  on  die  Wood  Creek,  west  of  Rome,  to  which  lie 
removed  in  1784,  and  cominenc(>d  its  improvement.  Here  he  con- 
tinued two  years,  when  he  etlected  an  exchaiiije  with  thr  nation  for 
the  tract  of  land  lying  in  Westmoreland,  known  as  Dean's  Patent, 
and  removed  to  his  late  residence  upon  ii  in  17S13,  where  he  con- 
tinued to  reside  until  his  de;ith.  Upon  the  cession  to  thi"  State,  in 
17S8,  of  the  lands  lying  outside  of  the  line  of  property  as  it  is  called, 
the  State,  in  view  ot'his  neritorious  services  during  the  war,  confirm- 
ed the  grant  to  him  by  patent,  under  which  a  jxation  of  the  land  is 
held  by  his  family  at  the  present  day. 

Two  or  three  years  after  the  removal  of  Mr.  Dean  from  AVood 
Creek  to  the  latter  place,  an  incident  occurred  which  turnishes  a 
parallel  to  the  rescue  of  Captain  Smith  hy  Pocahontas  in  the  early 
days  of  Virginia.  An  institution  existed  among  the  Indians  for  the 
punishment  of  a  murderer,  answering,  in  some  respects,  to  the  Jewish 
code.  It  became  the  duty  of  the  nearest  relative  of  the  deceased  to 
pursue  him,  and  avenge  Ins  brother's  death.  In  case  the  murder 
was  perpetrated  by  a  member  of  a  diti'erent  tribe,  the  oti'ence  de- 
manded that  the  tribe  of  the  nundered  man  should  reiiuire  the  blood  of 
some  member  of  the  otrending  tribe.  This  was  rega'ded  as  a  neces- 
sary atonement,  and  as  absolutely  requisite  to  the  happiness  of  the 
deceased  in  the  world  of  spirits,  and  a  religious  duty,  and  not  as  a 
mere  matter  of  vengeful  gratilication.  At  the  |)eriod  to  which  1  have 
reterred,  an  Indian  had  been  murdered  by  some  uiduiown  white  man, 
who  had  escaped.  The  chiefs  thereupon  held  a  t  onsultation  at  Oneida 
to  determine  what  was  to  be  done.  Their  deliberations  were  held  in 
secret,  but  through  the  friendship  of  one  of  the  number,  Mr.  Deaii 
was  advised  of  what  was  going  on.  From  the  ollice  that  lu;  had  held, 
and  the  high  standing  he  maintained  among  the  white  men,  it  was 
urged  in  the  council  that  he  was  the  proper  person  to  sacrilice  in 
atonement  for  the  otfence  committed.  The  question  was,  however, 
a  very  difficult  one  to  dispose  of.  lie  had  been  adopted  into  the  tribe, 
and  was  held  to  be  a  son  ;  and  it  was  argued  by  many  of  the  chiefs  that 
he  could  now  bo  no  more  responsible  for  the  oflence  than  one  of  the 


>;x 


APPENDIX. 


h 


H 


natives  of  the  tribe,  and  that  his  sacrifice  wouM  not  furnish  the  proper 
atoneme'it.  For  several  days  the  muitcr  was  dol)!itod,  and  nodocision 
was  arrived  at.  AVhile  it  was  niuloterniiiu'd,  hn  coiUiiuiod  to  hc,ie  for 
the  best,  and  his  frioadly  iidbrmint  iiept  him  constantly  advised  of  uii 
was  arrived  at.  At  fii^t  he  reflected  upon  the  propriety  of  his  leaving 
tlic  country,  and  csrapini;  from  the  da  ijier.  But  his  circumstances, 
together  with  the  liopc;  of  a  favorable  issue  of  the  question  in  the 
council,  induced  him  to  remain.  He  had  erected  a  small  house, 
which  he  was  occupying  with  his  wife  and  two  children,  one  an 
infant;  and  it  was  idle  to  think  of  removing  them  without  exciting 
observation,  and  perhaps  causing  a  sacrifice  of  all.  As  the  council 
continued  its  session  for  several  days,  his  hopes  of  a  lavorable  deci- 
sion brightened.  He,  however,  kept  the  whole  matter  to  himsclt',  not 
even  meniioning  it  to  his  wife,  and  prepared  himself  for  anv  emer- 
gency which  might  befall  him.  One  night,  aftrrlie  had  retiled  to  bed, 
he  was  awoke  by  the  sound  of  the  death  whoop  at  a  slr)rt  distance 
from  his  house.  He  then,  for  the  lirst  time,  couuiiunicated  to  his  wife 
his  fears  that  a  parly  were  approaching  to  take  his  life.  He  enjoined 
it  upon  her  to  re»nain  quiet  with  her  children  in  the  room  where  they 
slept,  while  he  would  receive  the  council  in  an  adjoining  one,  and 
endeavor  to  av(!rt  their  determination,  trusting  to  Providence  for  the 
result.  He  met  the  Indians  at  the  door,  niul  seated  tlirm  in  tin;  outer 
room.  There  were  eighteen,  and  all  chief  or  hi'ad-men  of  the  nation. 
The  senior  chief  informed  him  that  they  had  come  to  sacrifice;  l.im  lor 
the  Murder  of  their  brother,  and  that  h<>  must  now  pre'p.ire  to  die.  He 
replied  to  them  at  lengl  i,  claiming  that  he  was  an  adopted  son  of  the 
Oneidas  ;  tliat  it  was  unjust  to  recpiire  his  blood  for  the  wrong  com- 
mitted by  a  wicke<l  whih;  man  ;  that  he  was  not  ready  to  die,  and  that 
ho  could  not  leave;  his  wife  and  children  unprovided  for.  The  coun- 
cil listened  to  him  with  profound  gravity  and  attention,  and  when  he 
sat  down,  one;  of  the  chiefs  replied  to  bini.  He  rejoined,  and  used 
every  argument  his  ingenuity  could  devise  in  order  to  reverse  their 
sentence.  The  debate  continued  a  long  time,  and  the  hope  of  (>scapo 
grew  fainter  and  fainter  us  it  proceeded.  At  length  ho  had  nearly 
abandoned  himself  to  the  «loom  Ihey  had  resolved  upon,  v.hen  ho 
heard  thi'  pattering  of  a  footstep  without  the  door.  All  eyes  were  fixed 
upon  the  door.  It  opened,  and  a  s(piaw  euteretl.  She  was  the  wife  of 
the  senior  chief,  and  at  the  tiun;  of  Mr.  Dean's  adoption  into  the;  tribo 
in  his  boyhood,  she  had  (aken  him  as  iter  son.  The  entrance  of  a 
woman  into  a  solemn  council,  was,  by  Indian  etiipielie,  at  war  with 
all  propriety.  She,  howj-ver,  look  her  plac««  near  the  door,  and  all 
looked  ou  in  silence.     A  moment  ulkr,  anuther  footstep  was  hoard, 


M 


^^iiiimMt^M^s^^UiMhllv 


APPENDIX. 


lx.\i 


and  another  Indian  woman  entered  the  council.  This  was  a  sister  of 
the  former,  and  she,  too,  was  the  wile  of  a  chief  then  present.  Another 
pause  cnsiii'd,  and  a  third  entered.  Karh  of  the  three  stood  wrapped 
closely  in  her  blanket,  hut  said  nothing.  At  length  the  presiding 
chief  addressed  them,  telling  them  to  begone,  and  leave  the  chiets  to 
go  on  with  their  business.  The  wife  replied,  that  the  council  must 
change  their  determiinition,  and  let  the  good  white  man — their  triend — 
her  own  adopted  son,  alone.  The;  connnaiid  to  be  gone  was  repeated, 
when  earh  of  the  Indian  women  threw  ofi'her  blanket,  and  showed  a 
knife  in  her  extended  hand  ;  and  declared  that  if  one  hair  of  the  white 
man's  head  was  touched,  they  would  each  bury  their  knives  in  their 
own  heart's  blood.  The  strangeness  of  the  whole  scene  overwhelmed 
with  amazement  each  mi'mher  of  the  council,  and  regarding  the 
unheard-of  resolution  of  the  women  to  interfere  in  the  matter  as  a  sort 
of  manifestation  of  tin;  will  of  the  Irreat  Spirit  that  the  white  mar'g 
life  should  not  be  taken,  their  previous  decree  was  reversed  on  »*,o 
spot,  and  the  life  of  their  victim  preserved. 

Shortly  after  the  erection  ol"  the  county  of  II«>rkimer  in  17f)l,  Mr. 
Dean  was  appointed  a  judge  of  the  county  courts,  in  which  office  he 
was  continued  until  the  erection  of  the  county  of  Oneida,  when  he 
was  appointed  to  a  similar  station  in  this  county,  and  retained  the 
ofiice  by  su(cessive  ap|)oiiiliMen(M,  and  occasionally  served  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  slate  legislatine,  until  th<!  year  1813,  when  he  ri'lired  from 
public  life,  and  devot(!d  his  remaining  days  to  the  enjoyment  of  do- 
mestic quiet,  and  a  preparation  for  the  time  of  his  departure.  This 
event  took  place  in  Sept(>mber,  1^32. 

The  lives  of  few  men  present  more  claims  to  the  afl'ection.  respect, 
and  veneration  of  their  countrymen  than  that  of  .Fudge  Dean.  From 
the  circumstances  of  his  youth  and  education,  calculated  to  exercise 
n  most  uselul  and  impr*rtant  part  in  his  country's  service,  ho  was  early 
called  to  act  in  emergencies  rerpu'riiig  the  di.^play  (»f  great  wisdom, 
strong  fortitude,  and  sincere  and  devoted  patriotism,  in  nil  of  which 
he  showed  himself  equal  to  the  demand.  As  a  citizen,  h  s  amiable 
deportment,  his  benevtdeiu'e,  and  his  \inwavering  integrity,  endeared 
him  to  all  who  knew  him.  As  a  magistrate  and  leyislator,  his  stronjj 
an<l  well-balanced  mind,  well  stored  with  soimd  learning  and  the 
wisdom  winch  is  begotten  of  experience  and  (extensive  observation, 
commanded  universal  respect  within  the  sphere  in  which  he  moved. 


Ixxii 


APPENDIX. 


FAMILY  NAME  OF  BRANT. 


I  M'    '1 


Since  the  first  edition  of  this  work  was  published,  that  indefatipjcibie 
antiquary,  Giles  V.  Yates,  Esq.,  of  Schenectady,  has  discovered  a 
documeut  which  coiilirms  the  opinion  advanced  Ity  the  author  in  the 
first  chapter,  that  tht-  nauK;  of  Brant  was  inherited  by  the  chief.  The 
following  is  a  copv  ot'tlic  document  referred  to: — 

"To  nil  Christian  people  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come, 
Ilendrick,  Cornelis,  and  Esras,  native  Indian  Prf)prietors  and  owners 
of  the  Ma(|uas  country,  in  the  I'mvince  ot"  New-YorU,  in  America, 
send  grecliuji,  Know  yce  that  wc  tlu'  said  llcndricU,  Cornelis,  and 
Esras,  as  well  I'or  and  in  consideration  of  ye  [,ove,  respect,  niid  affec- 
tion, U'h.  ve  hear  lo  Airs.  AIar;rarcll  Collins,  yctuuffest  child  of  Mrs. 
Marj^arct  Schusler,  late  of  Albany,  deed,  /'rom  i(7(((m  in  her  lifc-iiine 
ice  reed,  ixreal  J'iiriitlshij)ji  anil  perliciildr  ixootl  srrvi''es,  and  also  before 
and  since  h(>r  death  tiom  the  said  Mar<:arett  Collins,  her  <lau<fhter, 
now  wife  of  Jolui  Collins,  of  the  city  of  Albany  afores'd,  Gentleman, 
and  also  for  div(TS  other  jjood  causcjs  and  considerations,  iis  thereunto 
moveinj;,  have  jiiven  ami  jrrantcd,  and  by  these  pn'sents,  do  j^ive,  prant, 
and  confirm,  unto  thi^  said  iMaii^arett  Collins,  and  her  sonn  Edward 
Collins,  to  wliom  also  (as  her  s(inn)  we  bear  ^rt  at  Jiove  and  affection, 
nil  that  corfaiu  Tract  or  parcell  of  arable  or  i'VIeaiMow  liand,  situate, 
lyinp  and  beiuij  on  the  west  sid<!  ofthi'  Maquas  H'ver,  bejjjinniiii!; 
from  a  Kill  or  Creek,  called  by  the  Indians  Von-diit-e-sio  skar-ra, 
(boundaries  onu'tted.) 

in  testiinonv  whereof,  we  the  said  Ifeiulriik,  Cornelis,  and  Ksrns, 
hnvo  hereunto  sett  our  bunds,  nnd  allived  our  seals,  in  the  Maviuas 
country  this  tenth  day  of  .July,  in  the  Thirteenth  year  of  the  lleitrn  of 
our  Sovercijin  l,ady  Anne,  over  (Jreaf  Hrittain,  France  und  Ireland, 
(jueen,  ice.  defendi'r  ot'tbe  liiith  atUKiq.  dum.   171  t. 

Here  tbilow  the  si<j;uiitures  to  tin*  deed,  with  the  name  of  the  animal, 
u  rude  sketch  of  which  is  attached  to  each  nam(>.  These  nnimnts,  it 
is  sup|)osed,  represent  the  ditlerent  tribes  to  which  the  Higners  be- 
lonjied. 

Ilendrick,  wolt',  his  miu'k, 

Cornelis,  tortoise,  his  mark. 

Esras,  elk,  his  mark. 

Ain-i(<,  his  X  mark. 

Tojiwayenant,  serpent,  his  mark. 

S(  luivcjijhneiruese,  tintle,  his  mark. 

E/rns,  Nnak«',  his  mark. 

Juhuniuis,  turtle,  his  murk. 


i 


I 


^^iteiMfc;^^-*iiJ9iaiitei^ 


APPENDIX. 


Ixxiii 


Crine,  tortoise,  his  mark. 

Lucas,  bear.  Ills  mark. 

Sett,  tortoiso,  his  mark. 

Yohha\vhc/ah,  dror,  his  mark. 

Anthony,  hear,  his  mark. 

Sander,  iiedifi^  lio;j;,  liis  mark. 

Synion,  fox,  his  mark. 

Esras,  his  x  mark. 

BRA  ST,  wolf,  his  mark. 

Gydeon,  deer,  his  mark. 

Aiilida,  tortoise,  her  mark. 

Relierea,  tortoise,  lier  mark. 

Kiisena,  her  x  mark. 

Jacob,  deer  or  elk,  liis  mark. 
Signed  sealed  and  delivered 
in  the  i)res(Miec  ol'  us 

Wii.i.ia:m  Phi:nti  r,  liis  x  mark. 
Wll.l.l.oi  W.  LniK, 

Lauukns  Classen, 

New-York,  IGth  Nov    1714. 

Recorded  in  the  Secretaries  Ofliee  ol'  ye  Provinc*;   ol'  I<ew-York, 

in  yv,  l)u(ik  lor  Indian  deeds.       lJ(»j;unn  in   May  1G91.  Vol.  14H,  pa. 

162. 

Comp.  &  Kxam. 

Pr.  J.  V.  >V'Ki)TMAnic,  D.  Secvetary. 
I,  Tiawrence  Clause*,  sworn  Int<'r|inler  t'or  the  Indian  afl'airs,  do 
certify  that  not  only  llendriek,  Cornelius,  and  Iv/.ras,  but  also  tho 
other  Indians  and  Indian  women,  initive  owners  and  proprvetttrs  of 
the  Macpias  Country,  who  have  sett  iheii  'u  .(is  and  seals  to  the  w'thin 
written  dvfd  of  fiuijh  \v<\vv  vohiitldtihj  ';/."//  thi'  w  idiin  mentioned 
Lands  and  premises,  tuito  Mrs.  M'lrfjar'  '  Collins,  and  her  sonn 
Kchviml  Collins,  within  mimed,  aeeordinj;  'u  tie  playn  nieanin<f,  In- 
tent and  eli'eet  of  the  within  written  iiotl,  and  for  and  on  the  con- 
Kiderations  llierein  nimliiuied,  and  tlnu  they  all  con-  'iited  to,  approved 
anil  eonlirmed,  ihe  said  deed  of  iruiff,  and  sett  all  their  hands  and  seals 
thereto,  as  a  further  testimony  tliereol",  fas  they  ulh'U  repeated,)  all 
equally  yuided  bv  the  same  eoiisiderations  of  l.ove,  respo  i  and  atfec- 
tion  to  the  within  named  iMari^arelt  Collins,  ami  I'.dwaid  Collins,  her 
sonn,  and  all  delivered  the  within  written  deed.  (Jiven  under  my 
huiul  this  thirtcohdi  day  of  July  unno  dom.  171 1. 

LAURENS  (  LASKN, 

f>Hvrn  Inltrpreler, 


Ixxiv 


APPENDIX. 


Thus,  it  appears,  in  addition  to  the  evidence  aflbrdcd  by  the  Diary 
of  Sir  VVilliam  Johnson,  that  thorc  was  a  Mohawk  chief,  bearing  the 
name  of  Ihanl  so  early  as  anno  domini  1714.  Hence  there  is  no 
necessity  for  the  theo  v  of  Dr.  Stewart,  that  the  chieftain's  name  was 
a  corruption  of  that  ot  l^is  supposed  step-father,  Barnet,  (page  2, 
vol.  I.)  Indeed,  there  is  aa  English  name  ''  Brant,"  of  long  standing, 
still  to  1)0  found  in  this  country  as  well  as  in  England,  which  may 
have  been  udojited  by  the  ancestors  of  Joseph  Brant  at  the  time  of 
their  first  intercourse  with  the  English.  A  Dutchman,  by  the  name  of 
Schuyler,  married  into  one  of  the  branches  of  this  English  Brant 
family.  Hence  the  name  of  "  Brant  Schuyler,"  of  which,  if  we  re- 
member right,  mention  is  made  in  Mrs.  Grant's  memoirs.  Joseph 
Brunt  was  unquestionably  the  son  of  a  Mohawk  sachem  of  that  name. 


